A white and brown dog on a lead and several people shown from the waist down walking on a grass path. One has a walking stick.

Visiting responsibly

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How can I visit the New Forest responsibly?

We want visitors to the New Forest National Park to enjoy and benefit from its beautiful landscapes and wildlife, and they bring a much-valued contribution to the local economy.

The New Forest Code

It’s great when people understand the Forest well enough to ensure they don’t inadvertently cause problems for local people and their animals or perhaps disturb rare nesting birds. The best way to do this is by following the New Forest code.

See the tabs below to learn more about how you can help care for the Forest next time you visit.

New Forest code New Forest code

Tan pony standing next to foal sitting on the grass

Keep your distance from the animals

Find out about the important role the New Forest animals play in shaping the National Park landscape and why you should keep your distance - you could be fined or prosecuted.

Keep your distance from the animals Keep your distance from the animals

No fires or BBQs

Discover the risks of New Forest wildfires and how you can help to prevent damage to its unique environment and properties - you could be fined or prosecuted.

No fires No fires

Keep to the tracks

Learn about the unique New Forest birds and how you can protect rare species while exploring the National Park.

Avoid disturbing rare birds Avoid disturbing rare birds

Riders on a New Forest track using specialist cycles from PEDALL - New Forest Inclusive Cycling.

New Forest cycling code

New Forest cycling code New Forest cycling code

fly tipped waste on a gravel car park in the countryside

Littering and fly-tipping

Understand the consequences of litter and fly-tipping in the New Forest, including its financial and ecological costs.

Litter and fly-tipping Litter and fly-tipping

Follow the New Forest Water Code

Help protect the New Forest's precious freshwater habitats by following the Water Code.

The Water Code The Water Code

Flying drones

Drone flying is not permitted across most of the New Forest National Park. Find out more about drone flying and learn about restricted areas and safety guidelines.

Flying drones Flying drones

A man with a metal detector in a field on a sunny day

Metal detecting

Find information on responsible metal detecting in the New Forest, including landowner permissions, as well as guidance for landowners.

Metal detecting Metal detecting

A couple stands on a track in a wooded area of the new Forest looking at a map.

Follow the Countryside Code

Discover the Countryside Code: guidelines to ensure you respect nature and fellow visitors during your countryside adventures.

Follow the Countryside Code Follow the Countryside Code

Drive with care

Advice on how to prevent road accidents with free-roaming livestock, what to do in the event of one, and what we're doing to reduce animal accidents and fatalities in the Forest.

Preventing animal accidents Preventing animal accidents

Dog walking

How to walk your dog responsibly in the New Forest, including following the Dog Walking Code. Find responsible, professional dog walking businesses signed up to our Charter.

Dog walking Dog walking

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a person picking jam jars from a shop shelf

Shop local

The New Forest National Park is fortunate to have a huge range of local people and businesses that produce high quality local produce and goods.

We are proud to support the New Forest Marque local produce accreditation scheme. By shopping locally and buying from small-scale producers who are closely linked with the landscape you can help nature thrive and reduce your carbon footprint.

Your support helps ensure the New Forest National Park remains a special place into the future. Look out for the New Forest Marque’s navy emblem on products and in stores.

Find out more Find out more

New Forest Tour open-top double decker bus.

Travel sustainably

Discover the benefits of the various sustainable travel options in the New Forest.

Travelling by train, bus, bike or on foot not only helps reduce car use and protect the environment, but also allows you to experience the Forest at a more relaxed and enjoyable pace.

By choosing greener travel options, you’re helping to protect the New Forest for future generations while making it easier for everyone to access and enjoy this unique National Park.

Sustainable travel Sustainable travel

A woman wearing a fluorescent New Forest ranger backpack crouches beside two children and points to something in the distance. An adult man is stood next to her. They are in a grassy area with trees in the distance

Our ranger team

Our rangers are at the heart of caring for the New Forest.

Working across the National Park, they help protect wildlife and habitats, support conservation projects, and share their knowledge with the many people who come to enjoy this special place.

Whether they’re out on patrol, running events, supporting community projects or offering guidance to visitors, our rangers play a vital role in helping people understand and care for the Forest. Find out more about the work they do and how they help keep the New Forest thriving.