New Forest BBQ sites: Where is legal and safe? 

Update: March 2021 - NO BBQ'S ARE ALLOWED ANYWHERE ON THE NEW FOREST until further notice. Please contact Forestry England for any further info. 

When the current danger has passed I hope my New Forest BBQ information will be helpful to you, sadly not at this time.

New Forest BBQ 2021 - NO BBQ's Allowed until further notice.
THIS INCLUDES DISPOSABLE BBQ'S

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS FOR YOU WHEN BBQ'S ARE ONCE MORE ALLOWED.

Forestry England Barbecue information

What you can and can't do.

Quote "In order to protect this special landscape from the risk of fire we request that if you are planning a barbecue you read the information below.

The forest is a special place and we ask that you help to keep it that way by:

• Making sure that all rubbish, including BBQ coals, are taken away with you.
• Please also ensure water is available to extinguish your BBQ.
•  The Collection of wood from the forest is not permitted.
•  BBQ’s which are in breach of the code or not considered safe will be extinguished

If you have any questions about having a barbecue please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 067 4601 (Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm) or southern.permissions@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 

When fire risk is ‘extreme’ the use of Barbecues, anywhere in the New Forest is prohibited – look for posters, call us, or check our  Fire Rating page if you are unsure. Static BBQ’s at designated sites will still be allowed.

Which type of barbecue can I use?

Family Groups (under 20 people) can use;

Disposable barbecues

Disposable barbecues are welcome in the picnic areas at Bolderwood, Blackwater and Wilverley – please place them on the barbecue stands provided, either on, or beside the picnic tables. These barbecues pose a particular fire risk, please ensure water is available – do not use them anywhere else in the forest.

Appropriate fire precautions should to be taken and we request that the used barbecue and all litter is taken home with you.

Non-Disposable, Raised and gas barbecues 

Raised non-disposable BBQs are permitted on the hard standing of the Forestry Commissions car parks providing that water is available and they are fully extinguished after use.

Barbecue Code

• Make sure you place your barbecue well away from any dry leaves, vegetation or wood.
  
• Always have water available.
  
• Ensure barbecue is out cold after use and take it home with you. This includes barbecue coals, ash and litter.
  
• Barbecue hearths are available for hire at Anderwood and Wilverley. If you are planning a barbecue for over 20 people you will need to book one of these sites in advance. To check availability of these sites please call us on: 0300 067 4601 or e-mail us at southern.permissions@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 

End quote.

There are 2 sites within the New Forest where you can hire a fixed BBQ for the day.

Anderwood
Here are the details for Anderwood New Forest site
The cost is £70 per day Monday to Friday
£80 per day Saturday and Sunday
These are able to cater for up to 100 so great for a big family day out - book early as they are very popular.
Here's the contact number 0300 067 4601.

Directions:
By road: From Lyndhurst take the A35 towards Christchurch. Approximately 3 miles west of Lyndhurst pass the turnings into the Bolderwood and Rhinefield Drives, take the next turning on the right off the A35 towards Burley. Anderwood is the first car park on the right, 1/4 of a mile along this road.

OS Grid Reference: SU 249 058

For details of Public Transport .
You can use raised portable BBQ's here but not disposable.

Wilverley
The other New Forest fixed BBQ hire site is at Wilverley New Forest site
The cost is £70 per day Monday to Friday
£80 per day Saturday and Sunday
These are able to cater for up to 100 so great for a big family day out - book early as they are very popular.
Here's the contact number 0300 067 4601.

You can use raised portable BBQ's here but not disposable.

Directions
By car: Wilverley Barbecue car park is situated half way between Burley and Brockenhurst, on The Burley Road.

OS Grid Reference: SU 254 007 For details of Public Transport to Wilverley BBQ

Disposable BBQ sites
There are 3 New Forest areas where you can use these: Bolderwood, Blackwater and Wilverley.

Bolderwood
This site has many advantages:

• Deer viewing platform
• Waymarked trails
• Great family picnic area
• Forestry Commission information unit
• Toilets
• Ice cream - usually at weekends in summer months
• Disadvantages It gets very busy!
  Directions
  By Car

Bolderwood is located 2 miles north-west of Emery Down, which is off the A35 just west of Lyndhurst.

By Bike
Cycle on 4 mile waymarked route from Burley. Or cycle along the Rinefield and Bolderwood Ornamental drive from Brockenhurst.

OS Grid Reference: SU 243 086For details of Public Transport

Blackwater
This site has many advantages;

• It is in the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
• Tall Trees Trail
• Blackwater Arboretum
• Tallest Douglas Firs and Redwoods in the UK
• Toilets
• Ice cream - usually at weekends in summer months

Disadvantages It gets very busy!

Directions

By car: from Lyndhurst take the A35 towards Christchurch, two miles out from Lyndhurst turn left into the Rhinefield Drive.
Blackwater car park is located on the left hand side, approximately half a mile along the drive.

OS Grid Reference: SU 268 047

For details of Public Transport

Raised, non-disposable barbecues can be used at the following

• Anderwood
• Blackwater
• Bolderwood
• Hatchet Pond
• Linford Bottom
• Whitefield Moor
• Wilverley Plain and Wilverley Inclosure
.

Please remember that barbecues can start fires so please ensure they are always used safely and only in the gravelled area of the car parks.

New Forest animals are often nosy and greedy - please never feed them or encourage them to come close - you may get bitten or kicked or they may get burnt or poisoned by colic!


Find out more about the New Forest Forestry England BBQ sites rules

This foal or other animals may try to join you at your New Forest BBQ site so please take lots of care so everyone stays safe and the animals do too! Enjoy!

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