Hi , I will be going to the New Forest in August for 2 weeks on a caravan holiday. Any ideas of where it is OK to let 2 young and VERY active retrievers run off -lead safely near to Bransgore and also Brockenhurst without them terrorising local wildlife (esp deer), New Forest ponies or free grazing cattle. I don't want to cause a stampede yet don't want the boys not to have good off -lead runs either. All the leaflets I have seen say that dogs must be kept on their leads in the Forest. They both love swimming and I know there are some beaches where dogs are allowed but I am hoping that they are very large and not too busy as my one year old dog can't seem to keep away from approaching people, albeit in a friendly way. I'm scared that he might steal a toddler's icecream! Anyone know of any nice ponds or lakes where I can burn off a bit of their energy

I don't know the area,so I thought I would bump it up for you,hopefully someone will be able to answer.

Thanks for that but nothing posted so far. Perhaps I will try the dog walking forum in a few days instead

Hello I'm not great on the area but I am from Southampton. There are a few country parks about you can find via Hampshire county council website. I have gone to a place called lepe beach a few times which has dog friendly sections and is nice. Flynn won't go in the water (scaredy dog) but I am warned the current is strong so it may not be ideal.

Heres some links:
Hants web
Forestry commission new forest bit
New forest web

Hope this helps. Sorry if it's stuff you've already seen!!

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Forestry Commission - New Forest - Walking, Dog walking, Cycling & Horse Riding

Hi I walk in the New Forrest regularly
It's a great place to walk your dogs and yes they can go off lead
However there are some area's where there will be notices to keep dogs on lead because of wild life.

A word of warning though - if your dogs are likely to follow a deer scent or take off if they see a deer then DON'T let them off.
Several dogs a year get lost
Also how horse/pony friendly are they? My 2 will ignore horses, keep your dogs under control near horses a horse can easliy kill a dog with one kick if the dog harrasses them.

I don't woant to scare you off - the new forest is a wonderful place and very dog friendly - you just need to be sensible.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

I used to work in Brock and on my breaks, would follow the road out through the village centre onto Rhinefield Road where there was a little area to park for free surrounded by open fields before you reached the forested area, where people would always let their dogs off the lead.

Lovely area

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Forgot to say - I can't advise about the beaches as I tend to avoid the beach in Summer as like you say to many todlers with iceceams and families picnicing

There are streams and ponds scattered through the New Forest.

Lymington River flows from Brockenhurst to Lymington and I think you can access it at Bolderwood (but I may be wrong).
My 2 don't like water so I'm never bothered about being near it.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

Thanks to everyone who has answered my post and given me great help and advice. Have downloaded some great walks and am looking forward to my hols

Enjoy yourself and I look forward to some pictures
Here are some of my 2 enjoying camping in the New Forest last summer.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

I think there are ponies and deer all over the forest really but probably more ponies on the lawns and heaths in my experience. I was there last week and saw great numbers of them on the open areas but only small numbers deep in the forest.

Try Ober Heath near Brockenhurst but go to the end near the campsite - you'll find it on the OS map. There is a lovely stream there which joins another and if you walk away from the campsite you probably won't see very many people.

Also try Lepe Country Park where there is a good circular 5 mile walk. We did this walk last week and did not see many people and only one or two solitary roe deer. No ponies there either. Lepe Country Park homepage

Enjoy your holiday.