On foot
The New Forest has an excellent network of footpaths, rides and forest roads which can be used by walkers and hikers well away from any motor traffic. Indeed you are free to wander where you wish in much of the forest area.
Be aware that the distances involved are not insignificant, and the conditions underfoot can be very variable. Walking boots and decent walking clothing are advised.
By car
The road network within the New Forest is fairly limited in its extent, although all the major villages are served. The roads are quite narrow and can get busy. As most roads are unfenced, drivers need to be constantly aware of the possibility of encountering animals on the road, especially at night. For this reason, the forest is subject to a blanket 40mph speed limit.
By bike
With a good network of gravel rides and forest roads open to cyclists and walkers, but not to cars, cycling is a really good way to see the New Forest. Because of its popularity, there is a good selection of cycle hire outfits, which can supply adult and childrens bikes, trailers, etc. Here are some of them:
Forest Leisure Cycling
Burley, www.forestleisurecycling.co.uk, tel 01425 403584.New Forest Cycle Experience
Island Shop, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, tel 01590 624204. Open every day 9.30am-5.30pm.
By bus
The New Forest Tour operates a tourist bus service around Lyndhurst, Beaulieu, Lymington, Brockenhurst and many intermediate rural locations, and runs with low floor easy access buses hourly throughout the summer check at: thenewforesttour.info (http://www.thenewforestto...) for times.
Additionally there is a network of conventional rural bus services running on the main routes in the forest. Traveline (http://www.travelinesw.com/) provides an online travel planner for these services, which can also be contacted by calling 087-608-2-608 from anywhere in the UK.