The 2018 New Forest Dog Friendly Awards

Brand new awards scheme to recognise places in the New Forest where dogs feel welcomed

The New Forest and Solent shore are perfect for dog walks and it's little wonder that the area attracts many visitors and locals with four-legged friends. In fact the New Forest is doggy heaven for well behaved dogs.

Have you and your dog discovered a really dog-friendly business that is worth celebrating? The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards is your opportunity to nominate your favourite dog friendly businesses in the New Forest area.

Awards for dog friendly places to stay, eat, drink and shop

There are seven categories, including accommodation, shops and places to eat or drink. Any business in this category can be nominated - as long as they are in the New Forest, Lymington and New Milton area.

It is easy to nominate a business for the 2018 New Forest Dog Friendly Awards, which will be open for nominations until midnight on 31 October 2018. There will be awards for the winners and runners up in each category.

Please ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions prior to submitting your nomination. 

First of all, select the category below and click on the link which will take you to our Directory of local businesses:

• Most dog friendly SHOP in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly HOLIDAY COTTAGE in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly CAFE in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly HOTEL in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly PUB in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly BED & BREAKFAST in the New Forest

• Most dog friendly RESTAURANT in the New Forest

 How to nominate a dog friendly business by 31 October 2018

Click on DIRECTORY in the top menu and in the left hand search bar enter the name of the business you would like to nominate. Or click on one of the links above and go straight to the businesses in that category.

(If you cannot find the business you're looking for, get in touch -  we will add it to the Directory, and will email you to confirm.)

To make your nomination:

Click on the business and then on WRITE A REVIEW

Then log in (if a new user click on "don't have an account" to register)

Don't forget to name your review #nfdogfriendly2018

Lymington.com will keep tabs on the nominations and will share regular updates. You can nominate as many local businesses as you like. 

Please ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions prior to submitting your nomination. 

The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards were inspired by sponsor New Forest Tax Accountants. 

The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards were the inspiration of 2018 sponsor, New Forest Tax Accountants. 

"I often holiday with my dog Taki and really appreciate finding places to stay, eat and drink where Taki is welcomed with open arms. It makes such a difference to my holiday", explains Peter Lashmar, CEO of New Forest Tax Accountants.

"Over the years I've found it can be hard to find hotels, B&Bs and self-catered cottages that allow dogs, which has often made travelling with Taki difficult. Some pubs and restaurants claim to welcome dogs but then frown if you ask for a bowl of water to be put down for your thirsty pup. Others request that dogs and their owners stay outside, or in a separate room."

"The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards will recognise all the best places for dogs and their owners - and since the nominations are made by the general public, will be a fantastic guide for both locals and those visiting the area."

New Forest Tax Accountants are based in Queen Street, Lymington and provide tax and accountancy services for businesses and individuals, including tax planning and returns, management accounts, property accounts and business services. Call 01590 688838 on the dog and bone or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book a FREE initial consultation. Subscribe for free monthly tax updates at www.newforesttax.co.uk

What makes a dog friendly business?

The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards give dog owners the opportunity to explain what makes a business dog friendly to them. Providing a bowl of fresh water, having dog food, treats or poop bags available - or even providing a dog cushion, there are many ways to make dogs feel welcome. Perhaps it will also be down to attitude as well - allowing well-behaved pooches to sit inside with their human family can be very important!

The importance of pets to people

The annual Pet Population Report revealed that 45 per cent of the population have a pet, with dogs the most popular choice – in fact 26 per cent of people in the UK own a dog. More than 90 per cent of pet owners say that owning a pet makes them feel happy, while 88 per cent feel that pet ownership improves their quality of life.*  And an increasing number of people want to take their trusted companion with them when they go out and about and away on their holidays too.  So all in all the New Forest Dog Friendly Awards are an exciting and relevant initiative.

We will be feeding back the results of the New Forest Dog Friendly Awards to local businesses, which may in turn help them to become more dog friendly. It will be interesting to read what you have to say!

So, what are you waiting for!

Click on the links above to nominate your favourite dog friendly businesses in the New Forest area.

* https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/i-took-my-puppy-on-holiday-and-discovered-that-pet-friendly-travel-isnt-as-straightforward-as-it-seems/

Join the Mad Hatters this Sunday morning at Lymington Carnival!

Colten Care and Alice Through the Looking Glass at Lymington Carnival 2018

All comers to Lymington Carnival are invited to drop in at Colten Care’s Mad Hatter’s tea party on the lawn in front of the Town Council offices where the Parade begins and finishes – a brilliant photo shot vantage spot!

It’s one of the most popular children’s stories of all time – and Colten Care residents and staff are bringing it to life at the Lymington Carnival. 

‘Alice through the Looking Glass” is Team Colten’s theme this year, with an open invite for all to come along and see the ‘curiouser and curiouser’ parade including 35 residents and staff from Colten Care’s homes in Lymington, Brockenhurst and New Milton.

Craft sessions making props and costumes in all five New Forest care homes

Craft sessions are in production mode in all five homes (three of which are now rated “Outstanding” by the Quality Care Commission) enabling as many residents as possible to get involved. And everybody not in character costume will if they’d like to be wearing the specially commissioned t-shirts for the day.

You will be able to see the Cheshire Cat (Linden House Lymington), Mad Hatter (Belmore Lodge Lymington) , Queen of Hearts (Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst), White Rabbit (Court Lodge Lymington) and, of course, Alice herself (Kingfishers New Milton).

This is the fifth year in a row that family-owned Colten has supported the Carnival. As always, the aim is for residents and relatives to have fun, retain their community links and do their fundraising bit for the event’s good causes.

Lewis Carroll’s classic tale is an ideal theme, given Colten residents’ liking for afternoon tea parties, especially in their homes’ beautiful gardens during the summer.

Best seats in the house - the Colten viewing area and the Mad Hatter's tea party 

Indeed, the now customary roadside viewing area – set aside to give residents and families the ‘best seats in the house’ – is this year doubling as a comfortable outdoor tea party.

Vera Diplock, a resident at Court Lodge in Lymington, said: “We’ve been having a lot of fun making our costumes and now can’t wait for the big day when we can bring Alice and the other characters to life. I expect there will be lots of laughter and smiles all round.”

Julia Puia, Companionship Team Leader at Court Lodge, said: “Many of our residents enjoyed watching or participating in the Carnival in the past and so we are thrilled to help them revisit it. Some want to be in the actual parade while others just want to sit back and enjoy a bit of VIP viewing, watching the procession go past from our vantage point near the TownHall.

Whatever they want to do, it’s always a fantastic day out.”

Find out more about Colten Care's New Forest homes:

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

Help Lymington and Pennington win South & South East in Bloom awards!

Suggest areas to the Town Council by 30 June in time for judging 6 July 2018

The South & South East in Bloom campaign is the largest horticultural campaign in the region involving hundreds of communities each year. Participating communities create lasting improvements to their local environment for the benefit of those that live, work and visit. 

The campaign provides a sense of community spirit and pride and encourages encourages communities to tackle everything from litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour through to conservation, sustainability and improving horticultural standards.

In 2017, Lymington & Pennington received the following awards:

• Lymington Town = Silver Gilt
• Pennington Common = Silver Gilt
• Pennington Common = ‘Common of the Year’ WINNER
• Woodside Gardens = Silver Gilt
• St Thomas Churchyard = Silver Gilt

Get involved in South & South East in Bloom 2018!

If you would like your business premises or front garden to be included in judging - or would like to suggest a local space that should be incorporated, please get in touch with Lymington and Pennington Town Council on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 02380 285893 before 30 June 2018.

Judging of Lymington and Pennington will take place on Friday 6 July 2018 - so plenty of time to tidy up that garden and make it look stunning for the judges!

What’s on in Lymington and the New Forest over Half Term

Things to do during the school holidays in the New Forest area

There are lots of exciting things happening in Lymington, the New Forest and surrounding areas this half term. Here is a guide of what's on and of things to do locally for visitors and locals. Take a look also at our fun days out feature if you're looking to venture slightly further afield. For those having to juggle work with school holidays, we have information about holiday childcare.

To see what's on day by day, take a look at our Events Calendar for the Lymington, New Milton and New Forest area. Remember, if you're organising a local event then add your event to the Lymington.com calendar for free and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out about event advertising and promotion (including being in this article!).

Take a look also at our Things to Do section, which includes Places to Visit, Walks and Leisure Activities.

Remember to mention Lymington.com this half term!

Things to do in and around Lymington... 

• Lymington Sea Water Baths is open throughout half term from 10am until 6pm. Inflatibles, kayaks, SUPs and now hot tubs! The changing rooms were refurbished last year. Fun times whatever the weather - just pop on a wetsuit if its chilly (you can hire a wetsuit at the Sea Water Baths)
• Lymington's Malt Cinema at The Lymington Centre will be showing Duck Duck Goose (PG) on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th, Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st May.
• Pick your own delicious strawberries at Goodall's Farm - where afterwards you can treat yourselves to afternoon tea.
• A visit to Lymington's famous charter market is an absolute must if you are visiting the area (and great for locals too!) - every Saturday 8am to 4pm on Lymington High Street. Come and explore the wealth of different stalls! Find out more about Lymington's famous market...
• Explore the bargains at the New Forest Car Boot Sale every Sunday 6.30am to 1pm. A great way to find some different pre-loved toys to play with!
• Lymington Town Tours will be running walking tours around the local area on Wednesday 30th May and Sunday 3rd June.
• See The Greatest Showman (PG) at Forest Arts on Wednesday 30th May.
• Sunday 3rd June is Artisans on the River at Bath Road Park. A fun family day for FREE! Free playground, entertainment and music.
• Discover Lymington's playgrounds! Find out more about where to play from some intrepid experts...
• The New Forest Model Railway Exhibition is taking place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May in Brockenhurst.
• "Brockstock" is taking place in Brockenhurst on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th May.
• It is annual St Mary's Garden Fete at Pylewell Park, with dog show, on Saturday 2nd June, always a delightful occasion and well worth attending.
• Forest Fables and Seaside Stories returns to Forest Arts on Sunday 3rd June, join Bearface Theatre for family fun and games.

Fun in the New Forest

• New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst is holding Half Term Family Discovery Days on Tuesday 29th and Thursday 31st May from 10am-4pm. New Forest themed trails, quizzes and craft activities for all the family, so come along and explore your crafty side. 
• Visit the New Forest Reptile Centre on Wild Wednesday. 10.30am to 4pm. Come and see the ‘live’ video of birds on their nests as well as the reptiles and amphibians. 
• Lepe Country Park have a half term trail. Pick up a trail card from the park office anytime between 10am - 3pm and return with correct answers to claim your prize. Cost: £2 per child, no need to book.
• Wild about Ponies on Thursday 1st June 1-2pm at Bolderwood. Discover more about the New Forest ponies and why they are important.
• Follow the Discovery Trail at Bolderwood - a short waymarked route from Bolderwood carpark. Pick up an activity pack from the New Forest information station.
• Make a Fairy Garden and discover the Fairy Doors at Furzey Gardens from Tuesday 29th May to Friday 1st June. Visit the gardens and have fun in the Bug Barn!
• Learn about the Trees in Hartford Wood with Big Owls at the Countryside Education Trust on Tuesday 29th May.
• Join the New Forest Litter Pick, meeting at Bolton's Queens car park on Saturday 2nd June.

Days out in the New Forest

• Beaulieu have a Spies and Soldiers theme throughout half term, with activities for the whole family - including their new Official Falconer who will be doing demonstrations every day. Link here to the Beaulieu website to book tickets (if you purchase tickets in advance there is a saving) Lymington.com tip: go at the beginning of the week and visit again for free within 6 days!
• Step back in time at Buckler’s Hard this half term as Living History characters take you on a tour of the once-thriving shipbuilding village. 26th-29th May step aboard HMS Medusa, which took a starring role in the recent Dunkirk movie, and learn more about its wartime role helping to clear the way to Omaha Beach for D-Day.

Get active in the New Forest

• Based on the bank of the Beaulieu River, New Forest Activities have a great range of activities for all the family - choose from archery, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and Battlefield Open Battles (for age 8+). Find out more and make bookings online. There's a Family Woodland Adventure Day on Wednesday 30th May and Family Canoeing every day during Half Term.

• Meanwhile, find The New Forest Paddle Sport Company in Milford on Sea, who offer paddleboard and kayak tuition and hire offer Guided Tours to Hurst Castle by SUP or kayak.
• Every Saturday at Woodside is Park Run, a great way for families to run together, from 9am. Register online before arriving to get a barcode.
• Ballard School have holiday sports camps on Thursday 31st May and Friday 1st June, with activities for Years 2-9 including mini-gymnastics, triathlon training and multi-sports.
• New Forest Activities hold Adventure Days for children aged 8-14 years. The day includes learning bushcraft skills such as foraging and shelter building, plus archery and the ropes course. This half term the Adventure Day is Thursday 31st May, click the link for Adventure Days during the summer holidays.
• Lymington Tennis Club hold tennis and fun sports camps every school holiday, either full days or half days are available.
• Lymington Cricket Club will be hosting Hampshire Cricket Training this half term from 29th May to 1st June.
• New Forest Hockey Club will be holding hockey camps on 29th and 30th May.

If you hear of any other exciting things to do locally this half term, do This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with us and let us know! And please mention that you "saw it on Lymington.com" !

Would you like your business, activity or event to feature here? Get in touch on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The truth about calling at Lymington Market

Why let the truth get in the way of a news story!

Over the last week, media has been awash with 'news' of a Lymington Market trader allegedly told not to shout about his produce after a complaint over noise. Regional and national press have gone to town on how Wayne Bellows has been ordered to turn down the noise because it is causing a nuisance.

Here is the text of a letter from Lymington and Pennington Town Council with the facts behind the story:

"I write to put the facts before your readers in regard to recent incorrectly reported media coverage regarding a trader at Lymington’s Charter Market.

In February this year, the Town Council received two complaints by email, one from a male and one from a female both are residents of the High Street. The complainants alleged that a market trader who sells fruit and vegetables near their properties, makes excessive noise by continually shouting all day from 08.30 in the morning each Saturday.

The Town Council is responsible for ensuring that the Market is well-managed for the benefit of traders, visitors and local residents and wrote to the trader in mid-February requesting that he reduces the alleged noise. Another complaint was received last week from a different resident regarding the same trader and the trader was telephoned and again asked to reduce the noise.

Unfortunately, media coverage has distorted this story, so to be absolutely clear, I would like to point out that at no time has the Town Council measured the decibels of the trader’s voice; referred to noise pollution regulations; asked him to only shout after lunch or banned him from calling out all day, as has been reported in national news coverage.

The trader was merely pointed to the Market Regulations which are in place to ensure a smooth running market for everyone’s benefit.

It is disappointing and disheartening when hard working staff and councillors who are all committed to continually improving and sustaining our wonderful market are lambasted for their efforts by sensationalist and misleading journalism."

Caroline Godfrey
CEO/ Town Clerk
Lymington & Pennington Town Council

Lymington Market: a 'must' for locals and New Forest visitors

Lymington’s Charter Market takes place along the length of the High Street every Saturday throughout the year from 8am to 4pm - come rain or shine! It's by far the largest street market in the New Forest area and with a great deal of history behind it is nowadays a special experience for New Forest locals and visitors to enjoy.

A traditional weekly market, established in the 1250s

Lymington Market was originally granted a Charter (a document providing certain rights to the people of the town) in the mid-13th Century, which enabled Medieval Lymington to hold its own market. Farmers, traders and merchants would come from far and wide to sell their goods. This is still true of today’s traders.

The High Street was deliberately designed to be wide enough for a market to be held regularly and this can still be seen in the current imposing Georgian architecture that lines both sides of the High Street, from the Quay in the East and up to St Thomas Church which holds a commanding position in the West.

Today the market stalls include everything from fresh produce and flowers, shrubs and plants to general household goods, craft items and bric-a-brac. There are approximately 90 stalls every week selling all manner of edible treats from olives, breads, cakes, fudge, pies, to fruit and vegetables to take home. (If you're spending the whole day out, it's worth bringing a a cool bag to bring back local fish, cheeses and meats.)

Find out more about Lymington Market here.

April 2018

East Boldre's Community Shop is progressing!

Another New Forest village is on track to keep its shop - and its post office - for a more locally sustainable future

19 November 2021

Now nearly 3 years after the mini tornado which hit national as well as local headlines and which battered and bruised East Boldre in perhaps a sign of things to come in many more places around the world, East Boldre is in the news again for another very topical and important reason: the preservation of the village shop for the future! Daily customers include those below...

East Boldre Community Shop: update on progress to date

The policies of the National Park and the district and county councils all support keeping local village amenities, such as shops. The contribution of a village shop to community cohesion and wellbeing is well documented, and East Boldre is now following in the footsteps of Minstead and other community shops which with the commitment of their communities are already successful on many levels.

The East Boldre initiative led by the East Boldre Community Shop (EBCS) team was and continues to be motivated by the many residents of East Boldre and neighbouring hamlets, for whom both the shop and the post office are important. For some residents the East Boldre village store is indeed the lifeline upon which they rely for the goods and services it provides.

All this is of course even more relevant into the future, as environmental concerns and our individual carbon footprints play ever greater parts in our thinking and behaviour.

EBCS has now won significant funding towards purchasing the property which has for decades contained the village shop and post office, for the benefit of the community for decades to come.

The Community Ownership Fund has awarded EBCS a grant of £0.25 million and the team has the support of all the local authorities of course too, because its aims align with their policies.

Update on recent news 

The current owner’s planning application for residential use was part of exploration of his options going forward. This has now been refused by the National Park Authority and paves the way for a fair market value to be paid - and a good proportion of the finance for this is already in place. EBCS is continuing to discuss a way forward with the owner that would be beneficial to both parties.

As a community benefit society, EBCS is governed by strict rules - there is no means of financial gain for members. The management committee and the East Boldre Lane Reps who are the conduit for communications with the whole village are all unpaid volunteers working on behalf of the community.

EBCS will be part funded by a share offer. There are no dividends on these shares and shares cannot appreciate in value so there is no opportunity for individuals to profit.

Any shop profits will be reinvested into the business and, if there’s any surplus, members would vote on how this is distributed to other charitable community causes.

All very exciting for the future!

Note of clarification after recent reporting

The shop owner’s planning application to convert the building to solely residential use was considered at October’s parish council meeting. Based on advice from the local monitoring officer and the Hampshire Association of Local Councils, parish councillors who are involved in any way with the community shop project declared they had a non-financial interest in his planning application. As there was no possible personal financial gain for them they were allowed to discuss and vote on the matter. As the only councillor who is also a member of the shop management committee, Cllr Gabzdyl did not vote on the basis her views were predetermined.

Top photo thanks to East Boldre Parish Council; the village shop together with many East Boldre houses and cottages enjoys spectacular sunsets on a regular basis; the amazing Beaulieu Letters are a short walk from the shop! 

More information about the proposed community shop

Community shop website

East Boldre news which hit national headlines 

After the Tornado

Ponies to attack shopers (The village hall site was eventually not approved - we're not sure how much it had to do with the ponies!)

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Save our Countryside Education Trust!

The Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu should be connecting people of all ages with the countryside - but it is woefully short of funds.

The Countryside Education Trust based at Beaulieu (Charity no.269546) is a charity on a mission to connect people with the countryside. Founded in 1975, it usually welcomes thousands of schoolchildren throughout the year for residential visits. This has not been possible since March due to Covid-19.

A campaign has been launched to save the Countryside Education Trust and other outdoor charities like it around the country from closure, as some estimates suggest that half will not weather this storm, with the loss of over 15,000 staff.

At least a million children have missed out on residentials this year, according to the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, and for many of those children, that would have been their only holiday. 

Most centres have been unable to earn any income since March when the government told them to close, and they are looking for financial support to help them survive until spring, which is when they might be able to re-open and start earning again.

(The Scottish government has pledged £2m but there is no equivalent offer in England currently.)

Joining Outdoor Learning’s ‘Save Our Outdoor Ed’ campaign, Jane Cooper, Chief Executive of the Countryside Education Trust, said

‘It has been terribly sad to see the residential centre empty, knowing that some children will never have the chance to come away on a visit after missing out this year.  We love hosting children of all ages and backgrounds.  Their time with us working on the farm, harvesting food and getting to grips with the countryside can be lifechanging.   The children learn social skills, resilience and teamwork alongside the formal requirements of the national curriculum. 

Most important of all, says Jane, ‘they start to feel that the countryside is for everyone and to understand the importance of taking good care of it.’  

The Trust usually relies on public events and weddings to supplement its income. These have not been possible this year, with a significant impact on the charity’s income. 

‘We are so lucky in our friends, volunteers and donors,’ says Jane Cooper. 

‘They have helped with emergency funding, and supported our Crowdfunder to help feed our animals.  We have had touching messages from our local community, telling us how much they miss us and how much they value our work. 

A big gap to fill and every penny counts - please help!

We have a big gap to fill, though, and every penny counts.’ 

For more information, or to make a donation, go to www.cet.org.uk or simply email Jane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

More about the Countryside Educatio Trust 

Established in 1975 and based at Home Farm at Beaulieu in the New Forest The Countryside Education Trust’s mission is to connect people with the countryside. Its role is to introduce people to the wonders of the British countryside, rural life and farming. In a very special location close to woods, river, heathland and the sea with variety of habitats on the doorstep, a wide range of environmental and bush craft activities is taught. Schools visit from a week to a day, whilst regular playgroups Owlets (0-2), Little Owls (2-4) and Big Owls (4-6) are run for local families together with a variety of events and courses throughout the year to introduce people to country living, rural crafts and wildlife.

A magical place of education and learning

The Countryside Education Trust has several strings to its bow but what binds everything together is that each string uses the countryside as a tool for educating and learning.

Whether it be the Little Owls, local young children who come to the Centre and use it as a playschool, or older children who come with their schools: some local who come for the day and others not so local, whose schools lie in areas of economic deprivation, and who benefit from the accommodation, lessons and facilities the Centre provides.

As well as this the Centre provides courses for adults along the same lines. Not only day courses and weekend courses in foraging, archery and wild medicines for example, but also team building days for work weary executives and groups of colleagues and friends just wanting a day of fun, something a bit different.

The Countryside Education Trust runs out of Home Farm in Beaulieu. This is where, not only can you find the office but also the centre itself, surrounded by the farm. There are accommodation facilities for school children and adults, a large kitchen ably manned by CET staff providing nutritious meals for those staying all day or for longer. A huge and comfy sitting area overlooks a garden with benches and barbeques.

The Farm itself has animals of all shapes and sizes that are used to the comings and goings at Home Farm and are loved by all. Their gentle nature is a revelation to some and the animals provide all kinds of lessons –lifelong ones as well as the more formal key stage lessons for schools. The farm is surrounded by woodland where anything goes! Learning about tree species and building dens, archery and coppicing for older learners: it is truly amazing how the countryside can be used as a learning tool.

So, in a myriad of ways the Trust encourages young and old to learn about the countryside in a fun way. Sometimes it is just for fun, sometimes it’s for team building or school key stage projects but everyone goes away with a sense that as well doing what they thought they were going to, (in itself a good start!), a more fundamental lesson is learned too...

....Working on the farm or in the countryside slows down the pace of life and learning, helping interaction and thoughtfulness, creating a sense of wellbeing and clam that is sometimes missed in today’s world.

Driving in the New Forest: kill your speed - not an animal 

#add3minutes - Add three minutes to your journey time on New Forest roads 

Disappointingly, each year the number of animal deaths on New Forest roads is not declining.

17 September 2021 update: In one dreadful night last weekend four New Forest animals were killed on the roads. It's even been on the BBC that New Forest motorists have been clocked at 71 mph in 40 mph limits.

Whilst driving at a steady 40 across open forest I frequently find big trucks literally on my rear bumper, it may save them a fine and the odd animal from a fright but it's not a pleasant experience. However whilst the various authorities debate potential solutions we can ALL surely do our bit and #addthreeminutes - see below!

Meanwhile on our doorstep Project Edward has just been launched, too: Hampshire police have been targeting speeding drivers near Hatchet Pond during the launch of Project Edward road safety partnership. 

At the event was Dave Luckhurst, who is behind Project Edward – an acronym for Every Day Without a Road Death.

He launched the UK-wide operation with the long-term objective of a road traffic system free from death and serious injury, in 2016. It has since reached over 54m people online and partnered with police forces around the country to help tackle speeding.

It has teamed up with Hampshire Police for what the force is calling Project Edward, a campaign against speed, and a number of other organisations have joined in and were at the launch.

They included Forestry England, the British Horse Society, New Forest National Park Authority, Commoners Defence Association (CDA) Verderers, Agisters and the New Forest Roads Awareness (NFRA) campaign.

Agister covering the Hatchet Pond area Robert Maton said improving driver education and awareness was paramount, and that while average speed cameras helped, they were fixed in one place. Having mobile cameras was better since it made drivers stick to the limit as they could be caught anywhere. He suggested localising driver awareness punishment days given to people who speed. "If someone was caught in the Forest it would maybe be an idea to show them videos that related to the locality, such as horses and the damage that can be done to vehicles in such incidents."

Darkness is always the greatest danger

The majority of accidents in the New Forest involving animals occur during the hours of darkness, and every year there is a spike in collisions when the clocks go back. 

The worst routes for animal accidents are Lymington to Dibden Purlieu, Brockenhurst to Sway, Burley to Picket Post and Cadnam to Godshill. And, many of those ghastly accidents happen during those key hours when people are driving home from work – in a hurry.

#add3minutes – New Forest slow down campaign

The National Park Authority has been working with Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council and other local groups including Hampshire Constabulary to build a Forest-wide campaign to increase drivers’ awareness of the need to take extra care on the dark evenings, and to cut the number of animals killed or injured on New Forest roads on dark winter evenings.

A spokesman for the National Park Authority said: “People are three times more likely to kill or injure an animal after the clocks go back than before. Animal owners and organisations are appealing to commuters to add three minutes to their journeys and drive slowly for New Forest animals.”

A spokesman for the Forest's Animal Accidents Reduction Group said: "Weekdays are worse than weekends and Thursday and Friday are worst days of the week with the peak time of day being the evening, when people are driving in darkness: 5pm-6pm and up to 10pm in winter with an additional peak between 7am-8am in winter."

Three minutes has been measured as the difference between driving along the B3054 from Dibden to the Lymington cattle grid at Portmore at 30 mph instead of 40.

At 30 mph anybody who’s been on a driver awareness course will know that there is a far greater chance of stopping in time to avoid an accident.

So – simply allowing three minutes longer for your journey both morning and evening, could make all the difference.

The hashtag #add3minutes is being used to generate social media volume. We’ll be supporting it.  Please do too - and put it into practice!

Dangers in autumn and winter

Typically, a quarter of the crashes each year take place in the two months after the clocks go back.

New Forest animals tend to congregate closer to the roads in winter. And, if their backs are facing us, we don’t see the collars and don’t see them - until we’re potentially too close to stop.

Dangers in spring and summer

In April and May as the newborn foals start to appear is another timely reminder to slow down on our New Forest roads.

One of the first brand new 2021 foals was captured here by local photographer Graham Wiffen. Everybody was delighted to see them all, but several donkey and pony foals were then killed on our local roads, one gorgeous fun filled donkey foal beside Hatchet Pond, the driver didn't stop and left it to die in agony.

Foals are skittish, unpredictable and desperately delicate, it is important to slow down to practically a standstill if they're close to the roadside.

Hit and run drivers are now being targeted

Meanwhile, the Official Verderer, Lord Manners, and Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, have also joined forces in a specific effort to prevent badly-injured animals being left to suffer.

They are going to work more closely with police and insurance companies, in an attempt to ensure that hit-and-run drivers are identified and prosecuted.

So apart from the suffering caused to both animal and owner and the damage to your vehicle,  surely that’s another incentive to slow down.

More information about 'Animal Road Deaths in the New Forest' from the Verderers to download and print.

What to do if you find an injured New Forest animal

If you see an animal which looks ill, is injured, or in distress you should report it as soon as possible, giving a clear description of the animal and what you think may be wrong with it as well as where you saw it and at what time.

If you witness - or are involved in - a road traffic accident involving a New Forest animal, you must report the incident, even if the animal runs off. The animal may be in distress, have serious injuries that require immediate veterinary attention or have fatal injuries that would necessitate the animal being put to sleep. Some animals run away in fear and panic, even on broken limbs which can make you believe that it is unhurt. As a result, the animal can suffer unnecessarily.

Who to contact

The Verderers state that if a collision with a Forest animal occurs (for whatever reason) drivers are required to report it to the authorities as soon as practicably possible, and certainly within 24 hours. Drivers must not leave the scene of an accident (unless it is to call for help), particularly if the animal is still on the highway as it may cause a further accident.

Road traffic accidents involving Forest animals should be reported immediately to the Police by dialing 999 (emergency) or 101 (non emergency).

If you find a sick, injured or distressed pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep, contact  the Verderers’ Office on 023 8028 2052 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm), or the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 (24 hours).

If you find a sick, injured or distressed deer, contact the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 (24 hours).

Download these numbers on a handy credit-card to keep in your purse or wallet.

Forest animals have no road sense and they have right of way. Drive slowly, especially at night, and give animals a wide berth.

Drifts in the New Forest National Park.

2020 dates and locations to avoid due to pony round-ups.

The​ ​Drift​ ​(or​ ​Round up) is​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​tradition​ ​that​ ​is​ ​carried​ ​out​ ​in​ ​many​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​the​ ​country​ ​that have​ ​wild​ ​or​ ​semi-feral​ ​stock. It​ ​is​ ​an​ ​essential​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​management​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stock​ ​to​ ​maintain the​ ​health​ ​and​ ​welfare​ ​of the​ ​animals.

In​ ​the​ ​New​ ​Forest,​ ​the​ ​5​ ​Agisters​ ​who between them cover the entire forest area, ​constantly​ ​monitor​ ​the​ ​animals​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​they​ ​are​ ​fit​ ​and​ ​healthy. Any animal​ ​looking poor​ ​may be taken off the forest at​ ​any​ ​time​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​year​ ​and it is then the Commoner's (owner's) responsibility to take it ​back​ ​to​ ​their​ ​smallholding​. ​

Drifts​ ​are​ ​organised​ ​in​ ​the​ ​autumn​ ​to​ round up and ​check​ ​on​ ​the​ ​health​ ​and​ ​well​ ​being​ ​of all the​ ​ponies.​ ​Over​ ​30​ ​drifts​ ​happen​ ​in the​ ​Forest​ ​each​ ​year​ ​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​area​ ​covered​ ​at​ ​a​ ​time.​ ​This helps​ the ​Commoners,​ who are the ​owners​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ponies, ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​check​ ​the ​animals​​ ​brought​ ​in to their own location and also to help each other. 

The Agisters​ ​work​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Commoners​ ​who​ ​attend​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​as​ ​many​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​are​ ​'rounded​ ​up'. Not​ ​an​ ​easy​ ​task​ ​as​ ​New​ ​Forest​ ​ponies​ ​are​ ​clever​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​get​ ​each​ ​one​ ​in. The​ ​main​ ​aim​ ​is​ ​to​ ​gather the​ ​mares​ ​with​ ​foals.​ ​Each​ ​pony​ ​is​ ​checked, wormed​ ​, and​ ​has​ ​its​ ​tail​ ​clipped​ ​to​ ​show​ ​they​ ​have​ ​been​ ​in,​ ​and​ ​which Agister​ ​has​ ​checked​ ​them.​ ​Each​ ​Agister​ ​has​ ​his​ ​own​ ​unique​ ​cut. Foals​ ​are​ ​either​ ​branded​ ​and​ ​'turned​ ​back​ ​out'​ ​or​ ​taken​ ​off​ ​from​ ​their​ ​mother​ ​to​ ​be​ ​weaned. Every​ ​Commoner​ ​has​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​brand. 

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders please avoid the drifts

Following​ ​two​ ​incidents​ ​in​ ​2012​ ​when​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​public​ ​unwittingly​ ​became​ ​involved​ ​in​ ​a pony​ ​drift,​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Verderer's​ ​review​ ​into​ ​safety​ ​during​ ​the​ ​drift​ ​season ​the​ ​Verderers decided​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​advance​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​upcoming​ ​activities.​ ​

Drifts​ ​are​ ​to​ ​be​ ​avoided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​public. It​ ​is​ ​unsafe​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​attend,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​ponies​ ​are​ ​unpredictable. Although​ ​the​ ​round-up​ ​is​ ​a coordinated​ ​activity​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​without​ ​risk,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​why​ ​only​ ​experienced​ ​Commoners​ ​assist​ ​with the​ ​drifts.​ ​Many​ ​of​ ​the​ ​riders​ ​on​ ​the​ ​drifts​ ​now​ ​wear​ ​body-protectors,​ ​which​ ​lessen​ ​the​ ​risk​ ​of injury​ ​to​ ​their​ ​necks​ ​and​ ​backs,​ ​should​ ​an​ ​accident​ ​occur.​ ​The​ ​Agisters,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​expert horsemen,​ ​also​ ​take​ ​added​ ​precautions​ ​and​ ​wear​ ​the​ ​new​ ​style​ ​air​ ​vests​ ​that​ ​inflate​ ​if​ ​the​ ​rider is​ ​disconnected​ ​from​ ​the​ ​saddle.

A​ ​spokesman​ ​for​ ​the​ ​New​ ​Forest​ ​Verderers​ ​said:​ ​“For​ ​their​ ​own​ ​safety,​ ​the​ ​public​ ​is​ ​urged​ ​to avoid​ ​each​ ​area​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day​ ​of​ ​the​ ​drift.” 

2020 Drift Dates

Please​ ​note:​ ​the​ ​dates​ ​of​ ​the​ ​New​ ​Forest​ ​drifts​ ​are​ ​advertised​ ​to​ ​alert​ ​visitors​ ​and​ ​road-users​ ​to beware. ​The​ ​Public​ ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​move​ ​on​ ​for​ ​their​ ​own​ ​safety,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​of​ ​the​ ​animals. The 2020 planned drift days are as below.

More information can be found at https://www.realnewforest.org/about/you-the-forest/ and https://www.verderers.org.uk/news/pony-drifts-2020/