Landscape

How the Ordinary became Extraordinary

What was once an unexceptional landscape, of open heath, mire and natural woodland has, over time, become extraordinary. The New Forest preserves a landscape that would once have been widespread across southern England. Gradually the value of this has become recognised. Where once the government was leading initiatives to exploit it as a commercial resource, all agencies are now endeavouring to protect it as a very special place.

Despite its name, a relic of a Norman use of the word “Forest”, the New Forest landscape includes a variety of once-common habitats: Extensive broadleaf woodlands, but also large areas of heath and mire, all of exceptional natural value maintained by the grazing of commoners’ livestock.