If you are ever fortunate enough to take a holiday in England there is a huge list of places that just have to be on your travel itinerary and one of those just has to be the south of England , but in particular The New Forest National Park. The Idea for national parks first started in the United States and one of the first national park was Yosemite of course. Since that time many other countries have adopted this way of protecting and preserving the unspoilt habitats of the world for future generations and for the preservation of endangered species as well. The New Forest has a few endangered species itself but nothing like the American bald eagle that is now increasing in numbers due thankfully. The New Forests most wildly known species are of course the deer and the lovable little roguish New Forest Pony. For centuries the forest was the home of common people who were used to grazing their livestock in the forest and on the open heathland. The forest was also a source for food to feed their families, but all that came to an end when the forest was decreed as the Royal hunting grounds, and the New Forest was born. Fortunately over time sanity prevailed and today you will find many animals wandering the forest grazing as the local "commoners" exercise their right to graze their live stock on the common ground. The New Forest is also home top some of the oldest woodland in England with an oak tree said to be over 400 years old, Not as grand and the giant redwoods although there are a few of those here as well. A holiday in the New Forest opens up a wide diversity of activities for those on vacation here from simply going on one of the forest walks to mountain biking (only not too many mountains here so very suitable for younger children) and if you are a horse rider then you will be in seventh heaven as there are no riding restriction across the open country side. If you are having a family holiday the Park has a number of really olde worlde New Forest cottages you can rent and if you have a penchant for the quaint then you will just love the old thatched roofs and if your lucky gardens that literally take you out into the forest from your back door. If you prefer the outdoor lifestyle then the forest has a number of designated campsites with and without facilities so you can camp the easy way or the hard way , the choice is up to you. One of the most popular areas of the New Forest has to be the picturesque Village of Beaulieu which is actually part of a massive 7000 acre estate (by UK standards) estate belonging to the Montagu family who's ancesters have owned the land and property since the early 1500 after the dissolution of the monastries by King Henry VIII. Part of the estate is used for the National Motor Museum which must rank as one of the best museums of automotive history in the world with exhibits that span motoring history not only by age but also by achievement as a number of land speed record breakers are exhibited here. There is also the Abbey to visit which whilst not to much to see these days still gives you an idea of the grandeur and power of the church in early british history. Beaulieu Palace house contrary to what was considered traditional in the day was not built on the Abbey grounds but evolved from what was originally the Abbey gatehouse. A holiday in this part of England isn't only restricted to the forest though as just a short drive away you have some of the best beaches in England all with blue flag designations for their cleanliness. Bournemouth is even going to have its own artificial reef built here after many years in planning and it will be the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere. Poole in the neighbouring county of Dorset has many claims to fame, from the many celebrities that live in what is the most expensive part of England to the stunning natural beauty of one of the worlds largest natural harbours. That's what you must pay to rub shoulders with the Rich and Famous I guess. I don't think anyone in their right mind could argue that The South Coast is a truly magical family holiday destination
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