According to the Visit Britain website, the New Forest is 'the best of woodland, coast and moor'. This huge national park was first protected for its beauty and woodland value 1000 years ago, by none other than William the Conqueror. This ancient forest with trees that are hundreds of years old is a central part of British rural heritage and one of the most beautiful forests in the country.

If you want to spend more time in the great outdoors and explore what's on your own doorstep, here are some top tips about the New Forest.

Cycling

Within the New Forest National Park there is more than 100 miles of approved cycle routes, most of which are away from roads. There are numerous places to hire bikes if you don't have your own and you can even hop on the New Forest Tour bus if you can't manage to peddle your way along all 100 miles or so or cycle routes.

Horse riding

The New Forest is home to the aptly named New Forest Pony. This small bay or chestnut coloured pony has been calling the New Forest home for over 2000 and add a great deal of character to the region. Although you cannot ride these ponies, as they are protected creatures, you can of course join a pony trek and see them in their natural environment from the saddle of your own mount.

Water sports

Whether you want the open sea or a quiet, sheltered lake, the New Forest can deliver. You can learn to wakeboard or water ski at the New Forest Water Park, you can hit the open seas powered by nothing more than the wind at Lymington or go kayaking or canoeing on the Beaulieu River.

There are numerous places to stay in the New Forest, from small, independently run B&Bs to large, 5-star and award winning hotels. Remember to look out for the 'Green Leaf' symbol when booking accommodation as this means the hotel or B&B uses and promotes local products and encourages the use of environmentally friendly transport.

There are dozens of self-catering cottages for rent as well as numerous holiday parks and campsites, so you really do have a wide range of budget options and accommodation styles to choose from.

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