august heather
In this issue
Elementary, dear Watson!
Cleaner Forest campaign
Coastal critters
Shop and help the Forest
Tops for tour bus
Valuing our heritage
Photo competition
Quick Links
email a friend 
 twitter
Greetings!
 
It must be coming to the end of the summer as one of the four types of heather which grow here - Calluna vulgaris, known as broom, ling or heath - is currently creating a spectacular carpet of pale purple blooms across the open forest.
 
There is so much to enjoy about the National Park and we're delighted that more visitors and locals than ever are using our New Forest tour bus. It not only gives another view of the Forest with its open top guided tours and discounts to attractions, but also helps the delicate New Forest environment by reducing car journeys.
 
If you want to savour some great memories from this summer in the New Forest, why not snap up a momento with one of our unique National Park gifts from our new online shop? Read on to find out more.
 
Whether you're planning some shopping, sightseeing or enjoying the great outdoors, have a great bank holiday!

The New Forest National Park Authority team
What's unique about New Forest churches? Elementary, dear Watson! 
 
Churches leaflet launch at Minstead
Can you solve the mystery of Sherlock Holmes's link to the New Forest? Do you know where to find Goldilocks in the National Park? Where can the famous Snakecatcher's grave be found?
The New Forest National Park helps you discover these and more secrets of the New Forest with the launch of the first in the new Discovery series of leaflets.
Working together for a cleaner Forest 
 
dog walking in forestDog owners are working with the New Forest National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets.
NFDOG, which has 3,000 members, the large majority of whom act responsibly, says a proactive approach to dog mess is needed to solve the problem around car parks and picnic areas in the New Forest.
Last chance to join coastal critters hunt
 
children exploring the coastline
Come and explore the National Park coastline and see what coastal critters live here in the last of our free summer holiday events.
 
Fun wildlife activities and games for  families are taking place on Tuesday 31 August at 11am at Pennington Marshes. There's no need to book - just turn up!
How shopping can help the New Forest 
   
jute bag with foal
The Forest Store is a new on-line shop stocking unique or unusual gifts inspired by the New Forest National Park.
 
Every purchase supports our work in helping to look after the National Park so that people can continue to enjoy and appreciate it.
Buy now...
Record numbers for New Forest Tour Bus 
 
tour bus
Leaving your car at home is clearly the 'in' thing to do this year as the New Forest Tour Bus is seeing record numbers of people jumping on board its open-top bus.
Thursday 5 August, was the Tour's busiest day in its 5 year history, carrying over 350 passengers. The season to date has seen passenger numbers up 30% on 2009 figures.
Special qualities of New Forest villages 
   
swan green cottageWhat do we value and cherish about our New Forest villages? What makes them distinct and unique?
 
Find out in our character appraisals which
reflect the historic development, landscape and topography, style, type and form of buildings, materials, textures and colours, and less tangible characteristics such as sounds and smells.
Enter our 'dream view' photo competition
 
Photo comp winner 2009
Take a snap of your 'dream view' and you could win £500!
Next time you are out in the New Forest,  make sure that you take your camera with you so you can enter a photo in the New Forest National Park Authority and Forestry Commission 2010 photography competition. This year we are asking you to send us your 'dream view'.
Park Life