How Well Do you Know the New Forest?
Mr Toad’s New Forest Quiz
Try not to bark up the wrong tree when you take on Mr Toad’s New Forest Quiz…
The tranquil glades, leafy holloways and dreamy open heathlands are a constant source of delight for all those who visit the ancient woodland realm known as the New Forest. Home to some of Toad Hall Cottages’ most delightful holiday properties, these roaming wilds remain one of Britain’s most exciting escapes.
We asked Mr Toad to put together his toughest quiz yet to test your New Forest knowledge.
Pit your wits against twelve tantalising questions and see how well you fare…
How Well Do you Know the New Forest?
Q.1 The New Forest was proclaimed a royal enclave by which of the following monarchs?
A. Alfred the Great
B. King Canute
C. William the Conqueror
Q.2 What is the name of the oldest tree in the New Forest?
A. Knightwood Oak
B. Ernest’s Elm
C. Lady’s Yew
Q.3 What are commonly seen free-roaming the forest floor during the season of pannage?
A. Ducks
B. Pigs
C. Goats
Q.4 In popular New Forest folklore, who defeated the Bisterne Dragon?
A. Sir Maurice Berkeley ‘The Valiant’
B. Lord Boris of Beaulieu ‘The Brave’
C. Prince Wallace of Wallop ‘The Wise’
Q.5 In which charming New Forest village did Sybil Leek ‘Britain’s most famous witch’ once reside?
A. Brockenhurst
B. Boldre
C. Burley
Q.6 Which of these historic hostelries lays claim to being the oldest pub in the New Forest?
A. The Fleur De Lys
B. The Fighting Cocks
C. The Turfcutters Arms
Q.7 Which of these rare and endangered insects can be found living along the New Forest’s runnels and streams?
A. Southern blue damselfly
B. Single-spotted lady bird
C. Garden tiger moth
Q.8 What species of tree grows tallest in the New Forest?
A. Douglas fir
B. Giant redwood
C. Sitka spruce
Q.9 Which of these New Forest villages is home to the National Motor Museum?
A. Minstead
B. Beaulieu
C. Bransgore
Q.10 Which of these New Forest animals have been roaming the land since the last ice age?
A. New Forest pony
B. Wild boar
C. Red squirrel
Q.11 Which of these famous New Forest landmarks identifies the site upon which King William II drew his last breath during an ill-fated hunting trip.
A. The Rufus Stone
B. Stag Antler Bridge
C. Reaper’s Gorge
Q.12 Approximately how many animals currently graze the open acres of the New Forest?
A. 700
B. 7000
C. 17000
Answers
Q.1 C: It was William the Conqueror who proclaimed the New Forest as a royal forest and hunting ground in 1079.
Q.2 A: The Knightwood Oak is believed to be the oldest tree in the New Forest, having cast its dappled shade for more than 500 years. It can be found along the Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the forest’.
Q.3 B: During the months of Autumn livestock pigs are released into the forest to feast on fallen nuts which can otherwise be poisonous to grazing cattle and ponies. During the 19th century, as many as six thousand pigs were released to roam the forest glades during ‘pannage’ season, also known as the ‘common right of mast’.
Q.4 A: Legend has it that Sir Maurice Berkeley valiantly battled the Bisterne Dragon for thirty days and thirty nights before delivering his mortal blow on what is now known as Bolton’s Bench hillock in Lyndhurst.
Q.5 C: The dulcet parish of Burley was once home to a famous white witch called Sybil Leek, whose psychic and astrological powers made her a household name during the 1950s.
Q.6 A: The Fleur De Lys pub on Pilley Hill, near Lymington, can be traced back as far as 1096.
Q.7 A: The exquisite southern blue damselfly is endangered throughout Europe and makes its home along the streams in the southern reaches of the New Forest where an estimated quarter of its fragile population survive.
Q.8 B: Of all the mighty trees to be found high along the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail, it’s the giant redwoods (also known as giant sequoias) that stand the loftiest. Two, in particular, dominate the skyline having grown to a height of more than fifty metres!
Q.9 B: Exhibiting more than two hundred and fifty classic and vintage cars, the National Motor Museum can be found in Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest.
Q.10 A: Seen grazing on the heathland and wandering the sun-dappled glades, the New Forest pony is among the region’s oldest residents.
Q.11 A: The Rufus Stone marks the fatal wounding of King William II (nicknamed Rufus) by an arrow shot by Sir Walter Tyrrell which ricocheted off an oak tree to pierce the red-haired monarch’s lung.
Q.12 B: An estimated seven thousand animals graze the open forest.
Long and leafy trails under the ancient boughs of mighty oaks…The New Forest is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the whole of Europe. Here, ponies roam freely across village greens and rush hour is what happens when a straggle of cattle stop to munch on the hedgerow. Spend blissful days exploring the many woodland tracks and trails before returning to your cosy Toad Hall holiday cottage for a quiet starry night. Have a look at Toad Hall’s impressive list of New Forest cottages and start planning your very own Hampshire adventure.