Tourist Attractions In Southern England - The New Forest National Park
For a holiday in England there is a huge list of places that just have to be on your travel itinerary and one of those is The New Forest National Park in the south of England on the coast about 60 miles from London.
The New Forest's most widely known species are the deer and the lovable little roguish New Forest Ponies.
For centuries the forest was the home of common people who were used to grazing their livestock in the forest and on the open heath land. The forest was also a source for food to feed their families, but all that came to an end during the reign of King William I when the area was decreed as a Royal hunting grounds, and the New Forest was born.
Fortunately over time sanity prevailed and today you will find many animals wandering the forest grazing as the local "commoners" exercise their right to graze their live stock on the common ground.
The New Forest is also home top some of the oldest woodland in England with an oak tree said to be over 400 years old.
A holiday in the New Forest opens up a wide diversity of activities for those on vacation here from simply going on one of the forest walks to mountain biking (only not too many mountains here so very suitable for younger children) and if you are a horse rider then you will be in seventh heaven as there are no riding restriction across the open country side that stretches seemingly forever.
If you are having a family holiday, the Park has a number of really olde worlde New Forest cottages you can rent and if you have a penchant for the quaint then you will just love the old thatched roofs and if your lucky, gardens that literally take you out into the forest from your back door.
If you prefer the outdoor lifestyle then the forest has a number of designated campsites with and without facilities so you can camp the easy way or the hard way , the choice is up to you.
There are many picturesque places to visit in the New Forest for example Brockenhurst in the center of the forest where animals roam freely across the road, or even Lyndhurst which is considered to be the capital of the forest. A particular favourite though has to be Beaulieu.
Part of the estate is used for the National Motor Museum which must rank as one of the best museums of automotive history in the world with exhibits that span motoring history not only by age but also by achievement as a number of land speed record breakers are exhibited here.
There is also the Abbey to visit which whilst not to much to see these days still gives you an idea of the grandeur and power of the church in early british history.
The new Beaulieu Palace house itself was originally the gatehouse to the abbey here although it has been subsequently extended.
A holiday in this part of England isn't only restricted to the forest though as just a short drive away you have some of the best beaches in England all with blue flag designations for their cleanliness. Bournemouth even has its own artificial reef built which is the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere, although it is struggling to live up to expectations.
Poole in the neighbouring county of Dorset has many claims to fame, from the many celebrities that live in what is the most expensive part of England to the stunning natural beauty of one of the worlds largest natural harbours. That's what you must pay to rub shoulders with the Rich and Famous I guess.
I don't think anyone in their right mind could argue that The South Coast is a truly magical family holiday destination.
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