Where To See New Forest Ponies in England

Are there really wild ponies in England? Absolutely. 5000 in fact and here’s where to find them.

If you’ve heard there are wild ponies roaming free in England, it’s true. I didn’t believe it myself since I’ve never seen wild horses or wild ponies even while living in Texas. And I grew up with horses!

So if you’re an equine lover or simply want to blow your kids’ minds, you must see the New Forest ponies in UK before moving back to America.

Imagine driving along a road with wild ponies in your 360° view, or needing to stop the car because a pretty white New Forest pony chooses to graze in the road…needless to say, it’s pretty magical.  Another great reason to love living in the UK.

Had to stop to wait for this fella to move out of the road

TLDR

• Find the New Forest Ponies along Roger Penny Way
• Go horseback riding with Bagnum Equestrian
• Visit Minstead for thatched-roof cottages & a pub lunch
• Get sandy at Rockford Common Sandpit
• Stay at Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Where To See New Forest Ponies

While many sources will tell you that the ponies are easy to spot everywhere, you may have limited time to explore Hampshire and the New Forest to find them on your own. For endless views of New Forest Ponies drive along:

Roger Penny Way or B3078 through the New Forest National Park

Save this map to pin exactly where to see New Forest ponies.

From one end of Roger Penny Way to the other, keep your eyes out for all sorts of animals (ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs), and be sure to follow the law.

The New Forest ponies are protected by Commoners’ rights and Verderers Court, so slow down, keep your distance, and definitely do not feed the ponies. If you feed the ponies, you could be fined!

And don’t worry. If you only see donkeys at first, keep driving along Roger Penny Way through the New Forest National Park.

Best place to see New Forest ponies

Are the New Forest ponies really wild?

Sort of. The ponies are free to wildly roam the New Forest but the ponies are owned by New Forest Commoners. The New Forest Commoners pay an annual marketing fee to allow their ponies to graze, giving them “rights of common of pasture” which dates back to the Charter of the Forest from 1217.

Are they wild ponies or wild horses?

Not to be confused with wild horses, the New Forest ponies typically don’t exceed a height of 12-14 1/4 hands (yes, hands!). They are a recognized British Isles breed known for their strength, uses (both riding and non-riding skills), and gentle temperament.

The New Forest ponies can be seen in practically any color, but the most common pony colors are bay and chestnut cream.

Interestingly, the New Forest ponies have been roaming Hampshire England for over 2000 years.

New Forest National Park Landscape

Other Things To Do Besides See New Forest Ponies

Once you find the New Forest ponies, you might want to do some other things in Hampshire to make the most of your day. Since seeing the ponies does require a car, definitely consider these other top New Forest attractions.

Visit Minstead Village

For a quaint New Forest village to grab a pub lunch before or after seeing the ponies, visit Minstead.

Have lunch at the Trusty Servant Inn and learn local history at All Saints Church.

Before leaving Minstead snap a photo of the iconic red phone booth tucked on the edge of where Lyndhurst and Newtown Road meet. One of only a few phone boxes in the New Forest!

Lyndhurst Village is 4 miles south of Minstead if you have additional time.

Pony note: Although you might see New Forest ponies in Minstead, we did not.

Find pretty thatched roof cottages in Hampshire

Go Horseback Riding In Hampshire

If riding a horse sounds far more exciting than seeing one, Bagnum Equestrian offers walkouts in the New Forest for groups of all ages. Beginner riders are escorted on a lead through a nearby trail. You can organize a time just for you and your family by directly contacting Bagnum Equestrian Center.

And if you’re lucky, you might even find some New Forest ponies and other wildlife on your walkout! We didn’t but occasionally Bagnum riders do.

Horseback riding completely tops off a day in New Forest National Park

See Rockford Common Sandpit

In addition to New Forest walking trails, a stream, and plenty of picnic options, the most magnificent thing you’ll see upon arriving at Rockford Common is the massive sandpit.

There are fabulous forest views and even a monument atop the sandpit but due to erosion, the National Forest requests visitors to not climb. Despite the request, the sandpit is a very busy spot for families with children. Bring towels just in case!

Pony note: Despite Rockford Common being a location for where to see New Forest ponies, we didn’t find any.

Rockford Common sandpit for the kids, views for the adults

Where To Stay In New Forest To See The Ponies

Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Perfectly situated on the western edge of Roger Penny Way, the holiday park is a convenient location to spend the night after a day of finding New Forest ponies. Book a caravan with a private spa and enjoy restaurants on site. At Sandy Balls Holiday Village, you’re only minutes from the ponies and other popular New Forest attractions.

Not sure what a holiday park is?  Read What’s a holiday park in the UK?

Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Final Tips On Where To See New Forest Ponies

If you’ve read this entire post then you’ll see that despite spending a day in New Forest, the only spot that guaranteed to see wild ponies was along Roger Penny Way – a long stretch of open wide road through the New Forest National Park.

While I cannot confirm the temperament and number of wild ponies about in the morning or midday, there were loads of pretty peaceful ponies grazing about during the dusk hours.

Sunset view – Roger Penny Way

This specific stretch of New Forest road was recommended by a British friend who owns property in Hampshire and promised we’d find the wild ponies there – so now you know too in the event you also don’t have loads of time to look for them.

Is there another location where you’re guaranteed to see New Forest ponies? Share in the comments.