The Forest

FewplacesinEnglandaremoreresonant,moremysteriousyetmorefriendlythanthehugeforestthatliesbyEngland'ssoutherncoast,thatprovidedhuntingforEngland'sSaxonandNomankings,andwhoseancientoakswereusedtobuildNelson'snavy.Today,theareaisoneofthemostvisitedbeautyspotsinBritain,buttheforesthasalwaysbeenbusy.Inmedievaldays,thereligioushousesofChristchurchandBeaulieuwereimportantplaces;aftertheReformationnumerousgentrybuilthousesandparksintheforest;theshipbuildingindustryturnedLymingtonintoapopularhomefornavalofficersandaneighteenthcenturyspatorivalBath(JaneAustenlivedonlytwenty-fivemilesnorthoftheforest).Butthecharacteroftheforesthasalwaysremainedancientandmysterious.Deer,evenwildpigs,stillroamthereastheyhavesincetimeimmemorial.ItsplacenamesareSaxonandevocative-Brockenhurst,HatchetMoor,Godwinescroft.Witchcraftisstill,withouttheslightestquestion,prevalentwithintheforest.Andtheoaks,thegreatoaksofEngland,areeverywheretobeseen.Forestandsea:thereisnomoreperfectEnglishheartland.