New Forest

The New Forest is an area of Hampshire in England which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and old-growth forest in the heavily-populated south east of England. The New Forest was designated a National Park in 2005.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like much of England, the New Forest was originally forested, but parts were cleared for cultivation from the Stone Age and into the Bronze Age. However, the poor quality of the soil in the new forest meant that the cleared areas turned into heathland "waste".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The New Forest was created as a royal forest in 1079 by William the Conqueror for the hunting of (mainly) deer. It was first recorded as "Nova Foresta" in the Domesday Book in 1086. William's successor, William Rufus was killed in a suspicious accident while hunting in the New Forest in 1100. The reputed spot of the king's death is marked with a stone known as the Rufus Stone. As of 2005, roughly 90% of the New Forest is still owned by the Crown. The Crown lands have been managed by the Forestry Commission since 1923. Around 50% of the Crown lands fall inside the new National Park.

Hampshire: Hampshire (abbr. Hants) is a county on the south coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county borders (clockwise from West), Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex. The county is 1,455 square miles (3,769 km²) in size and at its widest points is approximately 55 miles (90 k...

England: :For an explanation of often confusing terms like England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom see British Isles (terminology)....

Heathland: REDIRECT Heath (habitat)...

New Forest related Images and Photos (experimental)

The New Forest Snake Catcher	Swineherd of the New Forest Hampshire England	Colt Hunting in the New Forest	Red Deer Stag Calling at Sunset New Forest Hampshire England
Snow Covered Trees and Snowshoe Tracks White Mountain National Forest New Hampshire USA	Forest I	Forest USA	Forest Owl
Forest Path	Forest Dawn	Forest Dawn	Forest Lake