South East Entrance

Dense woodland opens up just beyond the car park, marking one of the New Forest's less celebrated entry points into its ancient heart. This southeastern gateway near Lymington offers immediate access to proper forest walking without the crowds that plague better-known spots. The tracks here are wide enough for families with pushchairs but quickly narrow into proper woodland paths where ponies graze between the oak and beech trees. Walkers looking for a decent stretch of forest will find this entrance particularly rewarding - you can easily clock up three or four miles before turning back. Dog owners love it here too, though keep leads handy when the famous New Forest ponies appear. The terrain stays fairly level, making it suitable for most fitness levels, and there's something rather lovely about having this corner of ancient woodland feel almost private. Kids might find it less exciting than some of the forest's more dramatic spots, but it's cracking for a proper family ramble. Holiday makers staying at nearby parks like Hoburne Bashley or Shorefield Country Park will find this entrance well worth the short drive - it's the sort of place that reminds you why the New Forest earned its stripes as one of England's finest landscapes.