The New Forest National Park is going green, with visitors given a host of innovative incentives to leave their cars at home and take to the countryside on foot, bikes and even horseback, says Simon Heptinstall
Squirrels, butterflies and grazing ponies are not in the slightest bit afraid of bikes. I can report this fact after a beautiful sunny day’s research pedalling through woodland tracks in the lovely New Forest.
In fact, I had to swerve to avoid most of the animals I met—they seemed lazily oblivious to my presence. One cheeky squirrel just stood in the middle of the track—forcing me to ride into the undergrowth to get round him. I’m sure I could hear him chuckling to himself afterwards.
I was sampling a new type of day out in the New Forest. I’d arrived by train at Brockenhurst station, collected a hire bike and rolled off on a traffic-free route through some of southern England’s best countryside. It was a complete adventure—without my car.
In the woods, I saw a huge herd of deer grazing, a patch of frolicking butterflies and swathes of wild flowers. If I’d been in my car, I wouldn’t have seen half this wildlife or discovered so many wonderful hidden spots.
It’s all thanks to a pioneering project by New Forest authorities to make England’s newest National Park into its greenest and cleanest destination. Visitors can spot the green leaf logo at local businesses in the Forest that support the scheme.
This summer’s impressive eco-tourism campaign includes many hotels and B&Bs offering “car-free” discounts if you arrive by train. Some offer free collection from the station and discount cycle hire. There are even big reductions for horse riding. Many still arrive by car, of course, but reducing traffic will improve the quality of the visit for everyone. And it’s simple to hop aboard the low-emission open-top bus, which meets trains at the station right through the summer (until 2 September). Not only are there great views from the top deck, but this New Forest Tour bus will carry bikes for free, enabling everyone to explore the Forest, villages, towns and coastline without a car. The bus tour takes you through the heart of the woodland, which was originally claimed by William the Conqueror. The king’s hunting playground was jealously guarded for the lucky few to enjoy. Some parts of the forest are so unspoilt that William would probably recognise clumps of gnarled old trees today—a 1,000 years later.
And, over the years, the New Forest has remained a great area for car-free adventures, thanks to its network of paths and tracks. There are now more than 150 miles of off-road gravel tracks for safe family cycling and walking. And a 40mph speed limit on unfenced roads has made it a calmer place to cycle—and to protect the animals, which roam freely.
Cycle hire companies throughout the New Forest can supply maps, advice and bikes to tackle as much or as little of this network as you like (walking and cycling maps also available on the New Forest Tour bus and from Visitor Information Centres) I found cycling the perfect way to explore the Forest in a peaceful, healthy and non-polluting way—as long as you watch out for those squirrels!
The New Forest Tour open-top bus operates an hourly daily service until 2 September 2007. All-day hop-on hop-off fares £9, children £4.50, family (two children, two adults) £22.50—includes a free ride on the steam railway at Exbury Gardens. You can buy your bus ticket when purchasing a train ticket at your local station. The bus calls at Lyndhurst, Hollands Wood Campsite, Brockenhurst station, Lymington, Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens and Denny Wood Campsite. For timetable details, call 023 8061 4459.
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