🐴 Ponies of the New Forest National Park Day Hike

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Explore Britain’s most stunning trails in a small group of up to 15, travelling together by private minibus to beautiful, remote locations not easily reached by public transport.

We’ve created a list of [FAQs](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gIZWTLfA3zQsx1fb0lpv1zOWP2vC5tq/view?usp=drive_link) to help answer your questions.

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Step back in time with us and discover the New Forest National Park at the best time of year to see it!

Autumn here has been described as nature's fireworks, and once you've seen the woodland ablaze with red, gold and flaming orange, you'll understand why. Across the open heath, purple heather and bright yellow gorse add even more colour. The New Forest also has the highest concentration of ancient woodland in Western Europe, with more than a thousand veteran trees – a few of them already growing when Elizabeth I sent the English fleet out to face the Armada.

The New Forest became a national park in 2005, but it was a royal hunting ground long before that, established by William the Conqueror. On this hike we'll cross unspoilt woodland, open heath and river valleys, and of course meet the famous New Forest ponies, which roam freely across much of the open forest. We'll also visit two of the loveliest villages in the park:

🌿 Lyndhurst – the “capital” of the New Forest 🐴 Brockenhurst – where ponies, donkeys, deer and cattle are all known to wander the main street. One pony has even been known to pop into the pub 🍺

[Read the story of the pub-visiting pony here](https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2018-09-07/new-forest-pony-walks-into-bar-and-joins-drinkers)

This hike is perfect for BEGINNERS – completely flat, on excellent trails.

DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY

Distance: 10 miles (16km). Ascent: 150m. Difficulty: [Easy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view).

ITINERARY

07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station) 08:00 Sharp departure 10:00-15:30 Hike through the New Forest National Park, with a lunch stop at the picturesque village of Brockenhurst 15:30-16:30 Drinks and refreshments in Lyndhurst, the “capital” of the New Forest 16:30 Departure 18:30 London, Hammersmith

TRANSPORT

As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.

BOOKING

To keep ticket prices down and avoid PayPal/Meetup fees (£7 extra per ticket), we kindly ask for payment by bank transfer. Please include your Meetup name and the trip as the payment reference (e.g. John New Forest). As places are limited, we can hold your place for 24 hours.

Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited Sort Code: 20-17-20 Account Number: 63116514

We'll let you know by changing your status to “Paid” as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the [attendees list](https://www.meetup.com/londonsocialhiking/events/316850409/attendees) of the event. You don’t need a paid Meetup subscription to do this – just close any pop-up windows and continue.

THE PRICE OF £68 INCLUDES

• Transport throughout the trip • Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver • Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader • Professional event organisation • Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders • Admin fee • 20% VAT

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, and personal trekking insurance)

HOW TO CONTACT US

For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at info@lshiking.co.uk We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours.

Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in touch if you have any difficulty locating the meeting point or need help during the trip.

WHAT TO BRING

• Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support •…