The New Forest

Tour Code: GBR07

A 2-night break exploring the New Forest's ancient woodland and lowland heath in search of a range of special birds and other wildlife.

3 days from
£530 (land only)
book now

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 2-night 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
Itinerary

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
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Accommodation:

    We stay in the Forest Lodge Hotel in Lyndhurst. All rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    Breakfast and evening meals included. Allow around £10/£15 per day for a pub lunch.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 9th May – Sun 11th May 1 £530
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£530
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£95
Fri 23rd May – Sun 25th May 3 £530
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£530
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£95

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 8th May – Sun 10th May SPACES £545
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£545
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£105
Fri 22nd May – Sun 24th May SPACES £545
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£545
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£105 
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Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.


Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours


Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.


For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.


A selection of our UK short breaks:



A selection of our overseas short breaks:



 




 


Our specialist recommends...








"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching." 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




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Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


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Our specialist recommends...






"Our Picos & Plains tour offers an environmentally-friendly route down to Spain for some excellent birding and cetacean-watching. More broadly, we’re very keen for Naturetrek to offer the most dynamic, market-leading carbon-reduced holidays available, and we hope you enjoy browsing our list of no-flight wildlife holidays!” 

Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager




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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
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!