New Forest

topmonty · May 26, 2020

Thinking of a drive down to the New Forest in the next day or two which is approx a 90 mile trip, maybe park up enjoy a picnic and a walk.
Peoples thoughts on this much appreciated.

MarkVw2017 · May 26, 2020

A forest would be a lovely day out with plenty of space for social distancing for picnics and walks. Enjoy your day out, especially with this weather!

ArunAlec · May 26, 2020

Worth checking the New Forest tourist info site to see if car parks are open. If they are not parking is a bugger.

Bellcrew · May 26, 2020

ArunAlec said:
Worth checking the New Forest tourist info site to see if car parks are open. If they are not parking is a bugger.

Nearly all the car parks are currently open, not stupidly busy and of course the weather is glorious.

Meoncoast · May 26, 2020

As @Bellcrew says most of Forest Car parks now open. Some of the Heathland car parks remain closed due to proximity to ground-nesting birds which happens in normal years. We spent the day parked up in one of our usual spots most of Thursday in the Forest last week. It noticeably had more people there than before lockdown but not overcrowded. I counted 6 disposable rubber gloves and one mask close to the car park just thrown down!!!! Remember due the fire risk BBQ's are currently banded. A few minutes walk and you can be in total isolation from others and the rat race.

Wongo · May 26, 2020

Not related but maybe it is, using gloves isnt useful unless you change them after each surface touched, it is in fact safer to wash hands Or sanitise more frequently. Surgeons don't use one pair all day.
We will end up with glove dumping joining dog poo bags on branches as my big anti human race issue

Jay gas · May 26, 2020

Was there on Monday afternoon all the car parks were full and lots of people parking on the roadside along by hatchett pond. Probably busier because it was bank holiday

GillianC · May 26, 2020

topmonty said:
Thinking of a drive down to the New Forest in the next day or two which is approx a 90 mile trip, maybe park up enjoy a picnic and a walk.
Peoples thoughts on this much appreciated.

Go for it!! Mid week is probably the best time and if you don’t like the first place you stop at there are lots more

pjm-84 · May 26, 2020

Jay gas said:
Was there on Monday afternoon all the car parks were full and lots of people parking on the roadside along by hatchett pond. Probably busier because it was bank holiday

Spotted a silver Cali there late Monday evening. Probably arrived at about 7.45pm. Still busy. Rode across the forest during the day and it was manic.

Lyndhurst, but the car park by the golf course is nice and much quieter. Hatchett pond, but not the main car park. Lyndhurst to Beaulieu road, a few quieter car parks off to the right. Godshill has quite nice views. Lepe is probably worth a visit. Aldridge Hill by Brockenhurst is quite nice and good if you have dogs (following the river)

ArunAlec · May 30, 2020

Jay gas said:
Was there on Monday afternoon all the car parks were full and lots of people parking on the roadside along by hatchett pond. Probably busier because it was bank holiday

New Forest: Lockdown easing prompts verge parking fears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52818524

Jay gas · May 30, 2020

ArunAlec said:
New Forest: Lockdown easing prompts verge parking fears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52818524

We were sat in a car park watching Those 2 fire engines In that article struggling to get past parked cars on the side of the road

Davehorner · May 30, 2020

Go for it! We’ve been 3-4 times now in the last few weeks (only 15 miles from us), and have had a great time. Car parks can be a bit busy but easy to social distance when you’re out and about.

Davehorner · May 30, 2020

Us parked up near Brockenhurst on Friday.

topmonty · Jun 2, 2020

Thanks for a great response from all, parked up near Burley and no issues at all apart from a few car parks closed :bananadance2

Big Ron · Jun 2, 2020

Wongo said:
Not related but maybe it is, using gloves isnt useful unless you change them after each surface touched, it is in fact safer to wash hands Or sanitise more frequently. Surgeons don't use one pair all day.
We will end up with glove dumping joining dog poo bags on branches as my big anti human race issue

Already there Wongo. Lots of plastic gloves on most walks I do in Cheshire/Derbyshire border. On one 7 mile walk last week I picked up 21 (odd, why?) gloves only to return 3 days later and find another 8. I see even more on country roads.
Soon to be overtaken by McDonalds wrappers/drinks once again when they all open?

GrannyJen · Jun 2, 2020

Sadly whatever the public consumable is, it finds it's way into our beauty spots ...

Now back on topic please, nice places in the new forest to drive out to ......

Mine would be "it's all nice, so anywhere you can park a cali up, put the kettle on and not be in someone else's face ...."

What a lovely idea.