The Problem: Invisible Barriers in the New Forest
When Forestry England announced its 2026 parking charges for the New Forest, it published a list of 129 car parks.
As someone who runs Our Bench Accessible Holidays, I immediately went to check the details.
I was not just looking at the price. I could already see online that Blue Badge holders would now need to pay, which is new and disappointing, although all vehicles use the car parks equally. What I was really looking for was practical accessibility information for our guests and for disabled visitors to the forest.
For a disabled visitor or a carer, a car park is never just a patch of ground.
Before setting off, people need to know:
- Are there accessible parking bays?
- Is there an accessible toilet nearby?
- What is the surface like?
Shockingly, across those 129 locations, none of that vital information was clearly listed.
For a family planning a day out, guests coming on holiday, or someone exploring the forest for the first time, that lack of information is not just inconvenient. It can feel like a "No Entry" sign. It makes you feel that you are not welcome and to state that there were no accessible parking - my lived experience knew that was wrong.
The Action: Asking the Questions That Matter
I decided to write to Forestry England and to my MP, Rt Hon Desmond Swayne.
I pointed out that 1 in 5 people in the UK live with a disability.
Accessibility is not a niche request. It is a core part of public infrastructure.
I asked for transparency.
If the public is being asked to pay for these facilities, we deserve to know whether we can actually use them.
I asked whether this accessibility information already existed, whether it would be added to the website, and whether Forestry England would make it easier for disabled visitors to plan ahead with confidence.
I sent my email on 2 March and asked for a response by 15 March so that I could follow up if needed.
I explained that clear accessibility information is a simple but essential step.
My MP agreed and also contacted Forestry England.
Two days later, I was copied, I believe by accident, into part of an internal email chain.
It showed that teams were discussing the issue and recognising exactly the kind of information people need in order to decide whether a New Forest car park is suitable for them.
It also made clear that the matter had gained urgency because my MP had forwarded my concerns.
The Result: Real and Tangible Change
On 12 March, just 10 days after I raised the issue, I received a response from the Forestry England Recreation Manager.
It was a breath of fresh air.
This was not just a polite acknowledgement of my email, tt was a genuine response that recognised a gap in their service.
As a result of this correspondence, Forestry England committed to:
- Creating a new Access Information page specifically for the New Forest.
- Updating its websiteto highlight accessible toilet facilities that were previously hard to find.
- Reviewing its digital copy so accessibility is not treated as an afterthought.
They have also provided a clear breakdown of where the accessible parking bays and accessible toilet blocks are located.
Their website has already been updated to show where the 22 accessible bays are.
Our Bench, Keeping The New Forest Accessible, Why This Matters
This is not just a win for me or for Our Bench.
It is a win for every visitor who has ever felt uncertain about exploring the New Forest because key information was missing. Information is essential so we can make informed decisions on whether something will work for us.
It is also proof that advocacy matters.
Large organisations often do have facilities in place, but without lived experience they may not realise that the most important information is still missing from their website, and without information, they are really saying they have considered people with different needs.
That is where disabled people, carers, accessible tourism providers and local businesses can make a real difference.
When we speak up, ask questions and share what people actually need, change can happen.
Getting our MP involved as "Forestry England" is a national body, was important too, as it increased his awareness too, and will hopefully be used in future.
At Our Bench, this is part of what we do.
We do not just provide accessible accommodation.
We use our lived experience, our conversations with guests and our understanding of real-world barriers to help raise awareness across the New Forest, local businesses and beyond.
You can make a difference too.
Whether you are a visitor, a business owner, a destination manager or a local organisation, asking better questions about accessibility helps create better experiences for everyone.
The New Forest is for everyone.
Sometimes it just takes one person raising their hand, asking the right question and refusing to let accessibility be overlooked.
Rt Hon Desmond Swayne's response
Accessibility Information Shared by Forestry England
This page shares an accessibility update about New Forest accessible parking, toilets and visitor facilities
If you are planning a visit to the New Forest and need clear accessibility information,
where accessible parking bays are located and where accessible toilets can be found, you are in the right place.
Accessible Parking Bays in the New Forest
Forestry England confirmed the following New Forest car parks include accessible parking bays for visitors who need level access and proximity to facilities.
- Anderwood - 2
- Linford Bottom - 2
- Burley - 1
- Bolderwood - 2
- Hatchett Pond - 5
- Knightwood - 2
- Wilverley Plain - 4
- Whitefield Moor - 2
- The Reptile Centre - 2 (open seasonally during bank holidays and school holidays)
Personal experience tells us that there are more places you can park, all the New Forest car parks are compressed gravel, there are no fixed parking bay, you just park considerate of others, you can easily choose a spot which enables you to access your WAV, or to edge of the car park so your door can open fully, and most of the car parks offer a great view you can enjoy. Our favorite car parks and some great accessible walks can be enjoyed..
Accessible Toilets in the New Forest
Forestry England also explained that toilet provision in the New Forest is limited because of the area’s sensitive ecology and restrictions on infrastructure.
Accessible toilet facilities are available at:
- Anderwood
- Bolderwood
- Blackwater
- Whitefield Moor
- Wilverley Inclosure
- The Reptile Centre (open seasonally during bank holidays and school holidays)
Forestry England advised that each of its toilet blocks includes one toilet with accessibility features such as wider doorways, turning space for a wheelchair, an appropriately positioned toilet seat, grab rails and accessible hand-washing facilities.
In car parks with toilet blocks, accessible parking bays are positioned nearest to these facilities, with a minimum of two bays provided.
In some locations there may be a gentle slope leading to the toilet block.
They also acknowledged that these accessible toilet facilities were not clearly highlighted on their website and confirmed that this would be corrected.
Personal experience tells us that there are more toilets across the New Forest than those managed by Forestry England alone.
New Forest District Council also provides toilet facilities in towns and villages across the area, including some within the National Park, and some include Changing Places toilets.
You can find more details in our
Guide to New Forest Toilets and Changing Places.
Forestry England also confirmed that accessibility information relating to trails and activities can be found on its New Forest pages via the
Forestry England New Forest website,
using the “Where to visit” section.
Following this feedback, Forestry England said it had reviewed its New Forest web pages and recognised that the information could be provided in a more complete and prominent way.
As a result, it is creating a new access information page for the New Forest, similar to the
Alice Holt Forest access information page.
It also confirmed that it would update the wording on toilet facilities and access information across relevant forest pages and notify me when the new page is live.
I look forward to seeing that happen and to sharing further updates.
What This Means for New Forest Businesses
One of the things this experience highlights is how often accessibility barriers are not physical.
They are informational.
Many organisations already have accessible facilities in place, but if the information is not clearly
explained on a website, visitors simply cannot plan with confidence.
Across tourism, hospitality and visitor attractions in the New Forest, small changes can make a big difference:
- Clearly listing accessible parking spaces
- Explaining where accessible toilets are located
- Describing surfaces, slopes and distances
- Providing honest access information so visitors can make informed decisions
At Our Bench we see first-hand how much planning goes into an accessible holiday.
Guests often research every step of their trip before they arrive.
When businesses provide clear information, it removes uncertainty and opens the door to more visitors, with the Forestry Commission sharing that everyone is welcome in their car parks, that means people know they are welcome.
The New Forest is a beautiful place to explore, and with thoughtful accessibility information,
it becomes easier for everyone to enjoy it.
If you are a tourism business or organisation interested in improving accessibility,
or you would like to better understand the needs of disabled visitors,
we are always happy to start a conversation.
Please contact us.
Last updated: March 2026