The Forest of Bere lies north of Fareham. A mixture of woodland, open space, ponds, streams, heathland, farmland and downland it provides countryside access to the residents of South-East Hampshire having a number of paths and bridleways for walking and cycling. More recently 20th century conifer plantations have been planted.
The forest is one of the remaining parts of the Royal forest of Bere, this covered an area stretching from the River Test at King's Somborne in the west through Hursley, Eastleigh, Bishop's Waltham and Denmead to Rowland's Castle in the east. The forest was used a source of oak for the navy to use in ship building.
Famous quotes containing the words forest of and/or forest:
“The commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“This land is your land, this land is my land,
From California to the New York Island.
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.”
—Woody Guthrie (1912–1967)