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New Forest, Hampshire Shutterstock 654161143
Dartford Warbler Shutterstock 1036471738
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Shutterstock 179724269
  1. New Forest, Hampshire Shutterstock 654161143
  2. Dartford Warbler Shutterstock 1036471738
  3. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Shutterstock 179724269

Tour Itinerary and Reports

  • Itinerary
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2019
  • Tour report - May 2017
  • Tour report - May 2016
  • Tour report - May 2015
  • Tour report - May 2014
  • Tour report - May 2013
  • Tour report - May 2012
  • Tour report - May 2011
  • Tour report - May 2010
  • Tour report - February 2010
  • Tour report - May 2008
  • Tour report - May 2007

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Can I help you?

Simon Dicks
Operations Manager
Email Simon
or call +44(0) 1962 733051

The New Forest

Tour Code: GBR07

A wildlife weekend in Hampshire.

3 days from
£395 (land only)
book now
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Highlights

Tour Itinerary and Reports

  • Itinerary
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2019
  • Tour report - May 2019
  • Tour report - May 2016
  • Tour report - May 2017
  • Tour report - May 2014
  • Tour report - May 2015
  • Tour report - May 2012
  • Tour report - May 2013
  • Tour report - May 2011
  • Tour report - May 2010
  • Tour report - February 2010
  • Tour report - May 2008
  • Tour report - May 2007

  • Click to see moreClick to see less

Can I help you?

Simon Dicks
Operations Manager
Email Simon
or call +44(0) 1962 733051
  • Summary
  • Itinerary
  • What's Included
  • Reviews
  • Dates & Prices
  • Tour Reports
  • Why Naturetrek?
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Summary

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Summary

The New Forest is one of the most ecologically important areas in Britain. It covers 144 square miles of Hampshire and Dorset, and includes Britain’s most important area of lowland heathland, as well as mixed forest and boggy hollows which together are home to a rich diversity of plants and animals. Moths, butterflies and dragonflies are here in abundance, and five out of Britain’s six species of reptile live among the mosaic of habitats. The New Forest is particularly well known for scarce breeding birds – Dartford Warbler, Woodlarks and Wood Warbler, to name a few. During this weekend break we’ll go in search of as much of this ancient forest’s rich natural history as time allows!

  • Dusk displays of Nightjar & Woodcock
  • Crossbill, Hawfinch, Stonechat, Firecrest & Redstart
  • The New Forest is home to half the British population of Dartford Warbler!
  • Roe, Fallow, Red & Sika Deer
  • Listen to rare species of bats calling at dusk
  • Hobby, Goshawk & Honey Buzzard
  • Smooth Snake & Sand Lizard among the 6 species of reptile
  • Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Redpoll & Tree Pipit
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Easy day walks only.

The New Forest is one of the most important ecological areas in Britain, its value having recently been officially recognised by its designation as Britain’s newest National Park. It comprises a vast area of rolling heathland, mixed forest and damp boggy hollows, covering some 144 square miles of south-west Hampshire and south-east Dorset. ‘The Forest’, as it is known locally, is still managed under a pastoral system, incorporating ancient grazing rights and periodic controlled burnings of the heathland. Indeed, it is this age old form of management that has both created and conserved the New Forest’s unique ecological richness and diversity. Over the past 150 years Britain has lost almost 80% of its lowland heathland and today the New Forest holds the largest and most important area remaining in the country. As a result it contains a huge variety of rare species of plants and animals. Amongst the insects, dragonflies, moths and butterflies are particularly well represented whilst five of the six British reptiles occur here, including the rare Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard. Roe, Fallow, Red and Sika Deer all graze the woodland edges and in terms of birds, the New Forest holds an unparalleled range of scarce breeders. These include over half of the total British population of Dartford Warblers (around 500 pairs), plus Woodlarks, Wood Warbler, Crossbills, Nightjars and raptors such as Hobby, Goshawk and Honey Buzzard. There is also a rich variety of plants, especially in the damper areas of heathland.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Meet in the evening. Excursion after dinner
Day 2
Bolderwood, Acres Down & Holly Hatch
Day 3
Islands Thorn Enclosure, Bishop's Dyke, Beaulieu Heath & Denny Wood. Depart for home mid-afternoon
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Accommodation:

    We stay in the Beaulieu Hotel and all rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    Breakfast and evening meals included. Allow around £10/£15 per day for a pub lunch.

Reviews

Reviews

  • Jon was an excellent leader and gave us an fantastic trip. He is very knowledgeable and is keen to share his passion for the New Forest with others. A very mixed, lovely group.

    S.B. West Midlands
  • Jon obviously knew the forest well and was keen the share his knowledge and show us examples of the various habitats. Couldn't have asked for anyone better. Very informative and friendly. Fitted an amazing amount into a weekend without making it feel rushed. It was a delight to have such a knowledgeable leader who assessed the ability of the group perfectly and pitched the trips at exactly the right level.

    A.B. Somerset
  • I think the leaders were excellent. Their knowledge and alertness was superb ... The other members of the group were delightful too. How do you do it?!

    D.H. London
  • Very interesting holiday. Jon Stokes was very informative on many subjects and has converted us to mothing! Excellent!

    J.R. Warwickshire
  • I probably discovered more in those two days than I have in the last ten years!.

    E.W. Warwickshire
  • An excellent trip, which was made so by our leader's ability to take us to see what people had asked for. He was concerned for all members of the party, dealt with any problems and was a perfect host to what is obviously a place he loves and enjoys. A great weekend - fantastic birds, flowers, trees, bats etc, expertly shown to us all. The only thing anyone could say about Jon is his ability to support Portsmouth A.F.C., and the fact that he spent the Cup Final afternoon showing us a wonderful New Forest landscape!! Overall, fantastic, thank you!

    S.C. London
  • Our tour leader was excellent, flexible and knowledgeable, and got to know each person on the tour and took care to make sure that everyone's needs and wants were accommodated. We had great fun.

    J.C. London
  • Jon Stokes is a fount of knowledge and his particular love and knowledge of the New Forest was imparted with enthusiasm and detail (some esoteric and absolutely fascinating). Despite pretty poor weather he managed to ensure that we had a wonderful trip and saw some amazing sights – Dartford Warbler, Little Tern and 4,000 year old Holly being my highlights.

    D.L. Kent
  • Jon Stokes is a fount of knowledge and his particular love and knowledge of the New Forest was imparted with enthusiasm and detail (some esoteric and absolutely fascinating). Despite pretty poor weather he managed to ensure that we had a wonderful trip and saw some amazing sights – Dartford Warbler, Little Tern and 4,000 year old Holly being my highlights.

    D.L. Kent
  • Jon’s excellent knowledge of the area and all aspects of the natural history, and general history, meant that he was still able to provide a most enjoyable weekend by talking to us about trees and other things less impacted by the wind and rain.

    S.G. West Sussex
  • This was a great way to learn about the area from the geology, economy, social history and overall nature of the area. John was a brilliant leader who made the weekend entertaining as well as informative. I feel that I would visit the area again and with the knowledge that I gained from the weekend it will make future visits to the forest very rewarding. Thank you.

    J.A. Sussex
  • This was my first Naturetrek trip and it exceeded all my expectations.

    A.W. Warwickshire
  • The leader made the New Forest fascinating. The information he gave us was excellent and well presented. Although I've visited the area beofre, I know so much more now and I'll need to visit again.

    M.H. Bedfordshire
  • It was magical... Thank you.

    L.B. Bristol
  • The enthusiasm of our leader was very good. He had a lot of knowledge about the New Forest which he shared with the whole group.

    T.J. Devon
  • Jon Stokes was an excellent and very experienced leader; his knowledge, skills, detail, enthusiasm and way of identifying and fulfilling each group members needs and wants resulted in an excellent weekend - fulfilling and good value. My first love has always been birding followed by butterflies but thanks to Jon and the way he transmits enthusiasm and knowledge I have to add fungi, bats, trees and plants to my list (all native). After all they need each other! Hotel - clean, comfortable, spacious room and good food. My first Naturetrek holiday, what a great one - hopefully not my last.

    P.I. Devon
  • The location was perfect, and the hotel was very nice. Food was excellent, and the room more than adequate. The guide (Jon Stokes) was very very knowledgeable of all aspects. I think this holiday was made by the guide. I learnt so much and saw what I, and the group, wanted to see. I can't speak too highly of Jon and his leadership skills.

    A.J. Cheshire
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Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2023

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 12th May – Sun 14th May SPACES £395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£70
Tue 23rd May – Thu 25th May 6 £395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£70

2024

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 10th May – Sun 12th May SPACES £395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£70
Tue 21st May – Thu 23rd May SPACES £395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£70
Tour Reports

Tour Reports

  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2021
  • Tour report - May 2019
  • Tour report - May 2017
  • Tour report - May 2016
  • Tour report - May 2015
  • Tour report - May 2014
  • Tour report - May 2013
  • Tour report - May 2012
  • Tour report - May 2011
  • Tour report - May 2010
  • Tour report - February 2010
  • Tour report - May 2008
  • Tour report - May 2007

  • CLICK TO SEE MOREClick to see less
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Gallery

Gallery

  • New Forest, Hampshire Shutterstock 654161143
  • Dartford Warbler Shutterstock 1036471738
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Shutterstock 179724269
  • Hawfinch Shutterstock 277723079
  • Firecrest Shutterstock 193587464
  • Garganey Shutterstock 69437947
  • Hobby Shutterstock 1077317594
  • Northern Goshawk Shutterstock 126643943
  • Smooth Snake
  • Woodcock Shutterstock 143463703
  • Common Crossbill. Shutterstock 115305436
  • Eurasian Siskin. Shutterstock 233806786
  • European Nightjar Shutterstock 320038442
  • European Stonechat Shutterstock 1241377201

Naturetrek has 36 years of experience in operating wildlife holidays.

Contact us for friendly, expert travel advice ...

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