The New Forest National Park is well-known for its spectacular nature, and is unsurprisingly a haven for wildlife. There are a number of amazing spots to see wildlife in the New Forest, with the area’s heathland and dense forest providing the perfect habitat for a number of species. Of course the famous New Forest ponies are a must-see, but there’s plenty more to discover, from deer to kingfishers and white-tailed eagles — the largest bird in the UK. Having spent six months living in the area, we’ve come up with this guide to the best places to see wildlife in the New Forest National Park!
Best places to see wildlife in the New Forest
Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve
Our favourite place to see wildlife in the New Forest is the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. We’ve had some amazing encounters here, from marsh harriers and flocks of Brent geese flying directly above us to spotting the elusive Dartford warbler.
Lymington Nature Reserve is home to Normandy lagoon, which has a variety of birdlife including spoonbills, avocets, and dunlin. There are normally hundreds of birds to see here, as well as the occasional New Forest pony too.
The other end of this nature reserve is the Keyhaven Marshes, which is another haven for birds. Marsh harriers are regularly seen there, as well as a variety of ducks and waders.
To walk from one end of the reserve to the other takes around an hour if you’re walking non-stop. If you’re planning to do the entire walk, we recommend starting from the Lymington Nature Reserve so that once you reach Keyhaven you can have a rest at the Gun Inn, a great pub that serves up amazing chip butties.
It’s worth spending some time around Keyhaven harbour, as kingfishers are regularly seen here. We’ve had some amazing up-close sightings in the area, and there are two or three kingfishers that are seen most days on the ladders, ropes, and boats in the harbour.
Acres Down
Acres Down is one of the best places to see birds of prey in the New Forest. White-tailed eagles, merlins, and other raptors can often be spotted soaring above the area’s woodland and open spaces.
We haven’t personally had too much success here, other than seeing a kestrel at a distance, but it’s extremely popular with locals and is known as a hotspot for birds of prey. It’s also a great spot for rare bird sightings, with species like the lesser spotted woodpecker recorded in Acres Down in early 2025.
There is a small free car park near the start of the walk. We recommend bringing your binoculars as often sightings will be at a distance, but it’s worth it for a chance to see some of the best bird species in the UK.
Bolderwood
A great place to see wildlife in the New Forest is at Bolderwood, which is widely regarded as one of the best spots for deer sightings. Close to the free car park, you’ll find a viewing platform where fallow and roe deer are often spotted.
Beyond deer, you might also see woodland birds like robins, nuthatches, and chaffinches. There are several walking trails at Bolderwood, with winding paths that make it easy to explore the surrounding forest.
Tall Trees Trail
A popular walk in the New Forest is the Tall Trees Trail, a pleasant two-mile route that takes you past some of the oldest and largest trees in the national park. Wildlife sightings here are hit and miss, as it can get busy and the dense tree cover can make it hard to spot animals.
That being said, you can still see various species like nuthatches, squirrels, and New Forest ponies, all of which we’ve seen on most of our visits. There’s a free car park near the start of the trail, as well as toilet facilities, but arrive early on the weekends as the parking spaces fill up quickly.
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, located on the edge of the New Forest, is a popular spot for birdwatching and seeing the area’s wildlife. There are several hides throughout the reserve, where you can see a mix of birds from kingfishers to lapwings to treecreepers.
Rare wildlife has also been spotted here such as the Cetti’s warbler, white-tailed eagles, foxes and even otters! There are a few car parks around the reserve, which makes it easy to get between the various hides. Parking is free and there are toilets available in the area.
Where to see New Forest Ponies
Although it’s not a specific place to see wildlife in the New Forest, we thought it was worth including a section about the area’s famous ponies. There’s no single specific spot to see them, as they can be found all around the forest — and we’ve actually seen them at all the places on this list.
If you’re driving around the New Forest then you’re likely to encounter some on your travels, just keep an eye out along the roadside and you’ll see one before long!
