Alice Holt becomes National Park

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The area also includes the Alice Holt forest

The Alice Holt Forest is now included in the new South Downs National Park.

More than 60 years after the area was first earmarked for protection, the Environment Secretary has officially confirmed its national park status.

The county is already famous for its beautiful countryside and now the ancient forest has been included within the new national park's boundaries.

The 632 sq-mile area becomes England's ninth national park, and will come into being on 31 March 2010.

ALICE HOLT FOREST We are absolutely delighted with this news, it will bring huge benefits for Alice Holt Forest David Williamson, Forest Management Director of the Forestry Commission in the South East In pictures: Alice Holt Forest

The Alice Holt Forest dates back thousands of years, with man living and working in the forest since Lower Palaeolithic times.

A brick-making industry sprung up in Roman times using local Gault clay and wood from the plentiful supplies of oak.

The area gradually became a hunting ground for locals and Royalty, as well as providing ships timber to the Navy in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The Forestry Commission took over management of the forest in 1924 and a research station was set up in 1946, in the Alice Holt Lodge, a 19th century manor house.

Originally predominantly an oak forest, it is now planted mainly with conifers, which were introduced in the latter part of the 19th Century.

However, some broadleaved species are being reintroduced as part of a regeneration programme.

It is already a designated Site of Interest for Nature Conservation and is now part of the new South Downs National Park.

FIND OUT MORE

The forest is home to one of the highest treetop Go Ape! courses in the country, a café, education centre, adventure play areas for children and trails for cycling, walking or horse riding.

For more details see the official website .