Cycling is the best way to see the New Forest. The terrain is largely flat and the forest has an excellent network of gravel cycle tracks — well over 100 miles of marked routes. Bikes can be hired in Brockenhurst, Burley, Lyndhurst, and Fordingbridge. The Forestry England cycle trails vary in length and difficulty, and most are suitable for families.
Driving is practical but requires patience: animals on the road are the norm rather than the exception, and the speed limit across most of the open forest is 40mph for exactly this reason. Night driving is particularly hazardous.
The New Forest Tour is an open-top bus service (summer only) that loops between the main villages, stopping at key points. A day rover ticket covers all three circular routes.