Dorset and The New Forest's unique landscapes and coastline cannot help but make a powerful impression on the visitor.
The New Forest heathlands and forest are in essence unchanged since they were given special protected status as a hunting ground by William the Conqueror over 900 years ago. That status has recently been enhanced by announcement that The New Forest is now a National Park. The ancient system of Verderers (judges), Agisters (police) and Commoners set in place to run The New Forest still exists today, and Commoners still have rights to graze their livestock - normally ponies, sheep and cattle - on Forest land; hence the famous New Forest ponies. In fact, only about half of The New Forest is actually woodland; the remainder is open heathland, which bursts with colour in the summer and autumn months. To the south, The New Forest runs down to the coast, offering views over the Solent and over to the Isle of Wight.
The neighbouring county of Dorset is an area of unspoilt and wonderfully varied rolling downland and heaths, hidden valleys, ancient field patterns, beaches and cliffs. Dorset is renowned for the diversity of its geology and wildlife, and just over half of the county is protected and designated within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The varied rock strata running in broad bands across the county give rise to the distinct character of the countryside, which ranges from clay vales (the Blackmore and Marshwood Vales) to chalk downland (the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase) to the tertiary sands and gravels (Purbeck and East Dorset heathlands). Most of the towns and villages located in these areas reflect, through their local stone and other building materials, the character of the area.
In 2001, the Dorset Jurassic Coast from Lyme Regis to Poole Harbour, together with the East Devon Coast, was awarded prestigious World Heritage Status, a recognition of its outstanding geology: a complete record of almost 200 million years of the earth’s history during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. From West Dorset beaches scattered with fossils, to Lulworth Cove's ancient fossil forest and folded rock formations, and even dinosaur footprints, Dorset is a geologist's and fossil-hunter's paradise, and has been the source of some of history's greatest geological discoveries.
One of Dorset's most unique features, Chesil Beach, a long shingle beach created by the tides and currents, runs the length of the coastline from Abbotsbury to Portland, separating the open sea from a lagoon known as The Fleet. While unsafe for swimming, there are good walks along the length of the Beach and superb views from the overlooking hills.
The 'Isle' of Portland, at the eastern end of Chesil Beach, is the home of Portland Limestone, one of Britain's most famous building stones, and its unique quarry sites contain a fascinating mixture of geology, industrial archaeology, sculpture and wildlife: Tout Quarry contains a sculpture park and is a great place to explore. Displays and information are available at The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Bill Visitor Centre and Portland Museum, while the Portland Sculpture Trust runs workshops in Tout Quarry during the summer.
Dorset and The New Forest's climate and geology have led to the existence of a number of unique and internationally recognised wildlife habitats and ancient human settlements. With over 140 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and over 1300 sites recognised for wildlife value, outstanding wetlands designated Ramsar sites under international convention, including Chesil Beach, Fleet Lagoon, Poole Harbour and the Avon Valley, together with sizeable populations of rare species such as the sand lizard, water vole and almost all species of bat - there are few other counties that match Dorset's tremendous biodiversity.
