Drone Flying Rules in the New Forest — National Park Byelaws & Southampton Airspace (2026)

The New Forest is one of the most restrictive national parks in the UK for drone flying. Sandwiched between Southampton and Bournemouth on Hampshire's south coast, the park combines ancient woodland, open heathland and grazing commons across 220 square miles. The combination of sensitive wildlife, free-roaming ponies and horses, Crown Land ownership and two nearby airport Flight Restriction Zones makes this a genuinely difficult place to fly legally. Here is what you need to know in 2026.

Key Rules for Flying a Drone in the New Forest

The New Forest has a more layered set of restrictions than most national parks because of how the land is owned and managed.

Crown Land — Forestry England

Around 90% of the New Forest is Crown Land managed by Forestry England. Permission to operate a drone on New Forest Crown lands can only be granted in very limited circumstances: documentary filming, operational purposes and scientific or research work. Recreational drone flying is not permitted on Crown Land. Successful applicants must show evidence of a CAA licence and appropriate public liability insurance.

To apply for permission, contact Forestry England's southern permissions team at southern.permissions@forestryengland.uk. Expect a processing time of several weeks.

Ground Nesting Bird Season — Total Ban

Drone flying is not permitted for any purpose during the ground nesting bird season, which runs from late February until 31 August each year. The New Forest is a breeding ground for around 100 species of bird, including rare ground-nesting species such as Dartford warbler, woodlark, nightjar and curlew. This seasonal ban applies across all Crown Land regardless of permission status.

National Trust Land

The National Trust owns and manages several properties within the New Forest, including Foxbury and parts of the Bramshaw Commons. The National Trust does not usually authorise personal drone flying on its land or properties, in order to preserve the character of these places. Commercial filming enquiries should be directed to the Trust's film office.

New Forest District Council Public Open Spaces

Flying recreational drones in NFDC public open spaces is not permitted, as the council considers it dangerous and annoying to other visitors. If you wish to fly a drone for commercial, film or survey purposes within council open spaces, you must contact NFDC to obtain permission before your flight.

Private Land

Subject to gaining the landowner's permission, flying a drone on private land within the National Park is allowed. Private land represents a small fraction of the park, but it is your most realistic option for recreational flying — provided you stay within CAA rules and the flight does not disturb wildlife on adjacent Crown Land.

Airspace and Flight Restrictions

The New Forest sits between two international airports, which significantly complicates drone operations.

• Bournemouth Airport FRZ: The Flight Restriction Zone around Bournemouth Airport extends into the western edge of the New Forest. The CAA has increased the exclusion zone area around Bournemouth Airport in recent years. Always check the exact boundaries using the NATS Drone Assist app before flying anywhere in the western half of the park.
• Southampton Airport FRZ: Southampton Airport's FRZ extends south-west and may clip the eastern edges of the park depending on your location. Again, verify with Drone Assist.
• Max altitude: 120 metres (400 feet) across the UK. In practice, given the airport proximity, you may need to fly significantly lower near the park boundaries.
• VLOS: Visual Line of Sight must be maintained at all times. The dense woodland cover in the New Forest makes this particularly challenging — many areas have mature oak and beech canopy that blocks your view within seconds of ascent.

The combination of two airport FRZs narrowing the available airspace and Crown Land restrictions on the ground makes the New Forest one of the hardest places in the UK to fly a drone legally.

Best Spots and Tips

Honest assessment: recreational drone flying in the New Forest is extremely difficult to do legally. Your best options are:

• Private farmland on the park edges: Some farms near Fordingbridge, Ringwood or Brockenhurst may grant permission. Always ask directly and confirm that the land is not Crown Land or common land.
• September to February window: If you do obtain permission for Crown Land (unlikely for recreational use), you can only fly outside the ground nesting season — September through late February. Days are shorter, weather is harsher, but it is the only legal window.
• Coastal areas outside the park: Hurst Spit and the coast near Lymington sit outside the main Crown Land boundary. Check land ownership and airspace restrictions independently.

If you are a professional filmmaker or surveyor, Forestry England does process applications. Start the process well in advance — at least six to eight weeks before your planned shoot date.

What Happens If You Break the Rules

• CAA fines: Flying without a Flyer ID (drones 100g+) or Operator ID (drones 250g+) carries fines up to £2,500. Flying in an airport FRZ without permission is a separate offence.
• Wildlife offences: Disturbing ground-nesting birds during breeding season is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Fines can reach £5,000 per bird disturbed, and Schedule 1 species carry higher penalties.
• Forestry England enforcement: Rangers actively patrol the New Forest. Flying a drone on Crown Land without permission is treated as an unauthorised activity. You will be asked to stop immediately, and repeat offenders may face legal action.
• Free-roaming animals: The New Forest has around 4,500 ponies, cattle, donkeys and pigs that roam freely under ancient commoning rights. If your drone causes a stampede or distress to these animals, the commoners and the Verderers (the governing body of the Forest) take a dim view. Animal welfare offences can result in prosecution.

Your Pre-Flight Checklist for the New Forest

1. Check the date. If it is between late February and 31 August, stop here. No drone flying is permitted during ground nesting bird season.
2. Identify the land ownership. Is your site Crown Land (90% of the park), National Trust, council land or private? Use OS Maps and the Forestry England website to check.
3. Get landowner permission in writing. For Crown Land, contact Forestry England. For private land, contact the landowner directly. For council land, contact NFDC.
4. Check airspace. Open the NATS Drone Assist app. Verify whether you are inside the Bournemouth or Southampton airport FRZs. If you are, you cannot fly without separate airport permission.
5. Check your registration. Flyer ID required for drones 100g+. Operator ID (£10.33/year) required for drones 250g+. Display Operator ID on drone.
6. Scan for animals. New Forest ponies, cattle and deer wander freely. Before launching, check the area is clear. If animals approach during your flight, land immediately.
7. Carry documentation. Flyer ID, Operator ID, landowner permission letter, insurance details. Have all of these accessible.
8. Follow the Drone Code. Stay below 120m, maintain VLOS, never fly over uninvolved people, keep 150m from residential and commercial areas (unless sub-250g drone).