The New Forest is a large national park area in southern England, mainly in the county of Hampshire. Visitors are often surprised to find that the 'new' Forest is in fact almost 1000 years old. It got its name because King William I, after he conquered the country in 1066, took over a large area of land and used it for growing wood for timber, especially for the building of warships, and for deer and other game animals that were now his private property. People who had been living in the forest for generations were no longer allowed to use the land or find food there.

Over time, the people living in the Forest gained specific rights. Even today, the 'commoners' have certain rights, often involving the right to graze animals on common land in the area, for instance. The Forest is to a great extent looked after by officials called verderers, and generally there are a lot of old laws and customs still in force there.

Today the New Forest is a major tourist attraction popular with families, walkers and cyclists.