The New Forest is always a sure hit for outstanding autumn colour, boasting the highest concentration of ancient trees in Western Europe. What’s more, it’s relatively flat, with only a few gently rolling hills, so great for families and those who prefer strolls rather than full-on hikes.
Walks and What to See:
The Knightwood Oak and Bolderwood walking trails along Ornamental Drive are in a large deciduous and hugely colourful wood, spiked with enormous, towering Douglas Firs. It’s easy to find on the Lyndhurst to Christchurch road – close to Brockenhurst, with plenty of parking.
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There’s a well-signposted circular walk at Rufus Stone, near Minstead, which passes Janesmoor Pond past spectacular autumn colour, and walks through Denny Wood near Lyndhurst are positively psychedelic, from mighty oak, chestnut, silver birch, ash and beech trees.
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You shouldn’t miss Exbury Gardens. Its 200-acre woodland estate and gardens are home to a huge variety of trees and plants from around the world, including over 450 acer trees, plus azaleas and maples, dogwood nyssa and oxydendrum – all outstandingly colourful.
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What’s Unique:
When leaf peeping, you’ll most likely see the forest’s Pannage pigs which are unique to the UK in terms of scale. Hundreds of pigs (more than 600!) are set free from 19th September to 18th November 2022 to forage acorns and beech mast nuts, so make sure you bring a camera, as you won’t see this anywhere else. They join fallow, roe, sika, and red deer whose rutting fights for dominance and barking calls fill the air as you walk through the woods. And don’t forget the thousands of famous ponies and donkeys freely wandering through open heathlands, woods, and New Forest chocolate-box villages. You’ll often find the donkeys and ponies hanging about outside the National Park’s many gastro pubs, where you might want to stop for a tasty lunch.
Great foodie pubs include:
- The Royal Oak, Fritham
- The Foresters Arms, Frogham
- Empress of Blandings, Copythorne
Fine dining restaurants to try:
- Les Mirabelles in Nomansland
- Off Beet (fine dining vegan) in Hinton
- Lanes of Lymington
Autumn Events
The New Forest Walking and Cycling Festival takes place from 15th October to 6th November 2022 for a range of guided family strolls, history hikes, wildlife walks and more. If you miss the festival, you can book guided tours from Wild New Forest. Autumn in the New Forest also heralds the appearance of some strikingly coloured fungi and wild mushrooms – some 2,700 species! Contact the Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst to find local guides.
Where to Stay
Book one of our beautiful New Forest Cottages.
If you are bringing your pooch with you – and we suggest you do because, besides the National Park welcoming dogs off leash, there are lots of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants too – take a look at our cottages for dog friendly breaks in the New Forest.
And for the October half term holiday, take a look at our family-friendly New Forest Cottages.