By Alex Carrington, Travel Editor at 247 Packing List · Last updated: ·

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New Forest Packing List

The New Forest is England's most accessible national park — a patchwork of ancient woodland, heathland and open grazing shared with free-roaming ponies, cattle and deer. It's ideal for cycling, walking, camping and family breaks. Kit requirements are lighter than upland parks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the New Forest ponies dangerous?

The free-roaming New Forest ponies are wild animals and should not be fed, touched or approached closely. They can kick and bite without warning. Keep dogs on leads near them and never approach a foal — the mare will be close. They are generally calm around people who give them space.

Is the New Forest good for cycling?

Excellent. The Forest has over 100 miles of designated cycle trails through woodland and open heath, including waymarked family routes. Cycle hire is available at Brockenhurst, Burley and Lyndhurst. The terrain is flat to gently rolling and suitable for all abilities.

Do I need to worry about ticks in the New Forest?

Yes — the New Forest has one of the highest Lyme disease risk levels in England due to the large deer population. Wear long trousers tucked into socks in woodland and long grass, use DEET-based repellent, and check for ticks after every walk. Remove any ticks promptly with a tick removal tool — never squeeze the body.

Will I need a torch if I'm staying in a forest cabin or camping?

Yes, and it matters more here than most UK breaks. Forest cabin sites and campsites deliberately keep outdoor lighting to a minimum to protect the woodland and wildlife, so paths between cabins, toilet blocks and car parks can be genuinely dark at night. A head torch or small torch is worth packing even if the rest of your kit is minimal.

Alex Carrington is the travel editor at 247 Packing List, building destination and trip-type packing guides from flight-delay experience, family trips and a lot of over-packed suitcases. Every list on this site is cross-checked against the destination's actual climate and airline baggage rules before publishing.