Tractor with front loader parked on gravel verge beside wooden posts, with a green-and-white van and trees under grey sky

Verges

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Verge restoration

The New Forest’s verges are among the most important in Europe, and are protected habitats in their own right.

Containing grasses, sedges and wildflowers, they provide a vitally important source of food and nectar for insects as well as grazing for Commoners’ animals. 

26

More than 26 miles of verges have been carefully restored across the New Forest over the length of the HLS scheme

129

Instead of parking on verges, please park in one of the 129 designated Forestry England car parks in the New Forest

Species

Verges are incredibly important habitats supporting many different animals and plant species such as chamomile, small fleabane and pennyroyal

Dragon's teeth

A programme has been in place to restore verges by installing posts called ‘dragon’s teeth’ which helps to restore eroded areas back to their green roots

Purple pennyroyal mint flower clusters with green leaves beside brown seed heads of small fleabane in a meadow

Why are verges so important?

Verges are part of the New Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

You’d be forgiven for not noticing these Forest edges as you travel through the National Park.

They often look like muddy or grassy areas that simply link the Forest to the road.

In fact, these verges are incredibly important habitats supporting many different animals and plant species such as chamomile, harebell, small fleabane, field gentian and pennyroyal.

Not only that, they’re an important part of the New Forest landscape, softening the visual impact of roads and buildings, as well as providing food for the free-roaming livestock, owned by Commoners. 

Car parked partly on muddy, eroded roadside verge with tire ruts beside a paved road near houses and trees

The eroding Forest

Over the years, many New Forest verges have become informal parking spots or stopping areas.

This can really damage the Forest as the vegetation gets worn away, tree roots exposed and the ground impacted.

Over time, this starts to reduce the footprint of the Forest, gradually eroding and reducing it. 

The New Forest National Park is a living, working Forest

Parking in or around gateways may prevent emergency vehicles reaching an injured animal or tackling a Forest fire. It also can restrict access for large forestry vehicles and reduce visibility for passing cars. Blocking gateways next to cattle grids makes safe access difficult for horse riders and others who need to use the gates

Concrete dragon’s teeth posts lining a gravel verge beside a forest road, with cars passing and green hedges on the right

How you can help

Some verges are being used as unauthorised parking areas which people have become used to parking on.

Others are parking spots outside properties or where residents close to the Forest leave their vehicles. 

If people park their cars on verges, others will follow suit. 

We ask those enjoying time here to please park in one of the 129 designated Forestry England car parks in the Forest, and residents within their own property. 

Thank you for helping protect the important habitats of the New Forest

Adult pony grazing beside a road while a foal lies on the grassy verge near wooden posts and 40 zone signs

Verge protection

For several years, a programme has been in place to restore New Forest verges by installing posts called ‘dragon’s teeth’ or introducing ditches and banks.

This work helps to restore eroded verges areas back to their green roots.

Over the length of the scheme, more than 26 miles of verges have been carefully restored.