In a land of rules,
regulations, road-markings and traffic lights, the New Forest in Hampshire
offers, both literally and metaphorically, a breath of fresh air. Meandering
roads follow the lie of the land with their edges gently disappearing into the
forest, and not a yellow line or a curbstone in sight. Horses wander freely
around this wooded landscape, grazing on the roads if they so choose. They have
right of way here; traffic just has to live with it. There’s something quite
liberating about this arrangement. It’s as if in a very small way, we’re
acknowledging that nature is the greater force. We’re merely humans, visiting
for a time, borrowing these natural resources. In the New Forest, instead of
dominating nature, we’re living alongside it. And it all works very well. If
you can dodge the horses as far as Brockenhurst, you’ll find one of Camping in the Forests' most outstanding sites, Roundhill.
Once an airfield, it’s
now a large expanse of open heathland right in the middle of the forest, with
trees and shrubs breaking up this huge area to create smaller, sheltered
pockets of land. There are no designated pitches; just drive around, find an
agreeable spot and as long as you’re at least six metres away from the nearest
tent, it’s all yours.
As with everywhere
else in the New Forest, animals have grazing rights here, so expect to see
horses, donkeys, cows and even pigs wandering freely around the campsite. For
the most part, they keep to themselves. If they get wind of your food, however,
it’s a different story. The donkeys are highly skilled at unzipping tents with
their mouths and helping themselves to whatever they can find. Rumour has it
they can even open ring-pulls on cans! The trick is never to encourage them by
feeding them and always keep food locked in the car rather than in the tent.
Other than the obvious
attractions of exploring the New Forest by car, on foot or on horseback (maps
and information available at reception), Roundhill is perfectly located for the
National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. This fantastic collection of historic
vehicles includes the World Record Breakers Bluebird and Golden Arrow. Other
exhibits include the James Bond Experience, where you can see a number of Q’s
inventions, including the road-boat from The World Is Not Enough. Look out for
various events here, including a regular farmer’s market, where you can buy
fresh New Forest produce. In an area where cars come second to nature and
horses rule the road, it’s entirely appropriate to see cars relegated to the
status of artefacts at a motor museum. The balance of nature has been restored.