New Forest National Park, 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.
Around 250 round barrows and about 150 scheduled monuments lie within the forest, and one burial site may be the only known Hallstatt culture grave in Britain. The reputed spot where William II was killed by an arrow in 1100 is marked by a stone called the Rufus Stone.
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