New Forest, National park in Hampshire, England
The New Forest is a national park in Hampshire that covers roughly 390 square kilometers (150 square miles) and brings together old woodlands, heath, grassland, and wetland in one protected area. The ground shifts between dense stands of oak and beech trees and open stretches crossed by footpaths and unpaved roads.
William the Conqueror declared the area a royal hunting ground in 1079, starting a system of protection that remains in place. The woodland kept much of its shape over the centuries because the Crown managed it and later laws limited clearing.
Local Commoners hold ancient grazing rights that allow their animals to roam across the open ground. This system preserves the open character of the woodland and heath that visitors see today.
Several entrances and car parks lie around the area, allowing visitors to start from different points. Paths and tracks run through woodland and heath, with many routes open to cyclists as well as walkers.
The park holds the largest single stretch of heathland in Europe, home to rare plants, insects, and birds found in few other places. In certain spots, ancient oaks several hundred years old stand with gnarled shapes that twist in unexpected directions.
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