Walking Festival

D-day remains, wild play activities and fascinating wildlife are just some of the treats awaiting walkers in the fifth New Forest Walking Festival.

The festival boasts 80 guided walks led by knowledgeable local experts and early bird booking is now open online.

Walks will reveal the history, heritage and wildlife of the Forest during the festival from 14 to 29 October, which includes half term week.

Run by the New Forest National Park Authority with support from Forest organisations and businesses, the festival has proved popular with residents and visitors since it began in 2013. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s event to gain behind the scenes knowledge of the Forest.

The National Park is a wonderful place to walk during the autumn, with flat, accessible routes that allow walkers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the Forest’s fiery foliage.

Walks cover topics including:

  • Free-roaming pigs, ponies and the traditional rights of communing
  • Wild play activities for children
  • D-Day remains and a WWII prisoner of war camp
  • Map reading for beginners
  • Top tips for bird watching

The New Forest Walking Festival is funded by the £4.3m Our Past, Our Future Landscape Partnership Scheme backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund to make the Forest fit for the future.

The festival is run in partnership with many local organisations including the Forestry Commission, Hampshire County Council, New Forest Association, New Forest Ramblers and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

For full details, including booking, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/walkingfestival