The New Forest

Tour Code: GBR07

A wildlife weekend in Hampshire.

3 days from
£350 (land only)
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Highlights

Summary

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
Sample Itineraries

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
Dates and Prices

Dates and Prices

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 15th May - Sun 17th May FULL £350
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
 £350
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Not available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £55
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jon Stokes
TL Jon Stokes

Tour Leader: Jon Stokes

Jon graduated in Zoology, Botany and Conservation and works as director of rural programmes for The Tree Council. His work takes him all over the UK and occasionally further afield to Europe, the US and Mexico. As part of his job he is also part of the national committees for Orchards and Hedges. Jon has studied the Wild Gladioli, the life of the Small Blue butterfly and has written/co-written eight books on trees. He was also a trustee of Plantlife for over 10 years. Jon is an enthusiastic, all-round naturalist with a particular interest in plants, birds, whales and Lepidoptera. He is always keen to share his wealth of knowledge of natural history, and has travelled widely throughout Europe, North America and Australia. Jon is based on the south coast of Hampshire where he lives with his wife and two children.

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!