New Forest National Park

England's New Forest National Park is nothing like it sounds. First off, the park is not new at all—it harks back to 1079 when it earned its reputation as a royal hunting reserve. Secondly, don't expect to immerse below a canopy of trees when you come here but to meander sweeping heathland speckled with wild ponies instead. Exploring New Forest National Park is more soothing than rugged, but the adventures here are just as breathtaking as some of the other more well-known parks sprawled across England.

Some popular adventures in the New Forest are walking, cycling, horseback riding through the misty countryside scenery, where deer and rare birds roam the land and soar through the sky. You'll find a network of paths connecting the stunning villages dotting the area. Some popular towns worth staying at are Lyndhurst, William the Conqueror's former hunting grounds and the regular trains from London Waterloo, Southampton, and Bournemouth stop in Brockenhurst—a lot of the paths start from here too! Other quirky villages, either known for their folksy legends or history, in and near New Forest National Park are Burley, Lyndhurst, Milford on Sea, Ringwood, Lymington, Hythe and the list goes on.