Van Gogh would be immersed by the colours changing hue and so will you.

Could there be a better time to visit the new forest? In my opinion, no!  For at this time of year the forest is in its full glory. Visitor levels are lessened affording an experience more personal and almost serene.  It is a quiet time and peaceful yet… also vibrant, as the colours that overwhelm the eyes are in the main still gently tethered to every tree and bush with the ground beneath your feet covered with the crisp and freshly fallen leaves and nuts from a thousand trees. The air is clean and invigorating life is for the living and the soul rejoices in the pleasures upon ones senses.

There is still plenty going on in and around the forest, as the climate this far south in England is quite mild at this time of the year the days are mild but short so favours the earlier bird as the evenings can be rather chilly with the fresh ozone meandering inland from across the sea.  The visitor centre located in Lyndhurst always has an up to date guide of events and places of interest to visit.

Because there are less visitors at this time, the places of interest are more personal, but the biggest benefit could be in the range of new forest accommodation on offer and special deals to be had staying in one of the many new forest hotels which can be found dotted across the national park from Cadnam at the eastern gateway into the new forest to Fordingbridge at the far northwest edge of the forest.

If you are with your family and possibly the family dog, the walks are more accessible during the off-season, especially along the beaches where walking dogs is allowed after the summer season has gone. Many families take advantage of the reduced prices for new forest self catering holidays which all offer reduced rates during the months of November, December, January, February and March.

Whichever venue you choose the new forest will not disappoint and with half term just around the corner you should make your enquiries soon in order to take advantage of this, the last break in the school year before Christmas!