SOLD OUT! Annual Study Tour 2026 – Southern Division

All Tickets – SOLD OUT.   WAITING LIST – FULL. 

In 2026 the Annual Study Tour will be hosted by the Southern Division who have planned an exciting 3.5 day programme of visits in the region.

Monday 11 May – The New Forest, near Brockenhurst

We begin the week with Forestry England in the New Forest, focusing on how this landscape is managed across diverse land uses: open forest, grazed woodland, ornamental woodland, and the Inclosures. We will explore the challenges of balancing public access, biodiversity, and timber production, alongside the influence of local and national designations, public policy, and Commoners’ rights. Our visit will consider how trends; such as restoring woodland to open forest and converting conifer plantations to native broadleaves; affect timber yields; forest resilience; carbon storage; and economic sustainability. We will observe silvicultural techniques in regenerating oak woodland and see how these are applied across the wider Forest. The day includes a visit to the ornamental woods along Rhinefield Drive and the Blackwater Arboretum.

Member price £57.50 (Guest price £82.50 – limited to one per member)

Tuesday 12 May – Stourhead (Western) Estate, near Wincanton

Owned by the Hoare family since 1720, the Stourhead (Western) Estate covers 496 hectares of woodland. Today, managed by Nick and Sara Hoare with advisor David Pengelly, it is a leading example of Continuous Cover Forestry in the UK. We will see excellent examples of continuous cover in practice and learn how plantation forestry is being converted to this system. Much of the woodland is relatively young, and we will see one area of former agricultural land, planted just 25 years ago, that is already being managed to produce an uneven-aged structure. We will also discuss the challenges in establishing a new 80 hectare woodland, now stocked with 190,000 young trees.

Member price £57.50 (Guest price £82.50 – limited to one per member)

Wednesday 13 May – Herriard Estate, near Basingstoke

With ownership dating back to Norman times, Herriard Estate is currently under the stewardship of John Jervoise and his son, Jack, following two generations of keen foresters. The morning will focus on Herriard Common, examining plantations of broadleaves and conifers, including transitions to continuous cover systems. Topics will include thinning regimes, Estate use of timber, and veteran trees. In the afternoon, we will visit Hen Wood, part of a Humphrey Repton designed landscape. Traditionally a hazel coppice estate, John’s father witnessed the decline of this industry and converted much of the derelict coppice with standards to conifer plantations. These have been the mainstay of the forestry department’s finances and are now being gradually restructured. We will see good stands of conifer and oak with discussion on quality, provenance, the future of conifer on Ancient Woodland sites, impact of pests and diseases, alternative species and the future of hazel coppice.  The Society’s AGM will be held at lunchtime.

Member price £57.50 (Guest price £82.50 – limited to one per member)

Annual Dinner
Will be held at Norton Park Hotel, Sutton Scotney. The Dinner includes the Leslie Astle Drinks Reception, a three-course hot buffet, wine, and speaker. RFS Gold Medal recipient, Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor, will be our after dinner speaker on the subject of “The appliance of science in forestry.”

Dinner Member price £40.00 (Dinner Guest price £50.00 – limited to one per member)

Thursday 14 May – Bentley Wood, near Salisbury (morning only)

Bentley Wood spans 700 hectares; its original coppice with standards was clear-felled after the Second World War. Replanted by the Forestry Commission (FC) in the 1950s for long-term oak and beech production, the wood was sold in 1983, when Lady Ann Colman founded a charitable trust to acquire and manage the site. Notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest principally for its moths and butterflies, this Ancient Woodland is now managed to protect and enhance its nature conservation value. Rides are a key element of the habitat but management of the wider timber crops is also important to protect the habitat they provide. The timber income provided by 2,500-3,000 tonnes annual harvesting is also vital to fund the management of the wood. Management of the FC planted mixtures, an element of Continuous Cover Forestry, wood pasture and coppicing by volunteers all contribute to the overall management of this important woodland.

Please note: there is no coach service for this day and lunch is not included. Thank you.

Member price £27.50 (Guest price £52.50 – limited to one per member)

Tickets – SOLD OUT

For queries please call: 01295 678588 or email: events@rfs.org.uk. Thank you.  

Hotel

We will be based at the Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House www.nortonparkhotel.com
Sutton Scotney, Nr Winchester. SO21 3NB
W3W:///tint.announced.dustbin

The hotel is offering RFS members a special bed and breakfast rate until 28 February 2026. The number of rooms is limited, please book your accommodation as soon as your tickets are confirmed. To book your room, please call 0330 1071599 and quote RFS/Royal Forestry Society.

Discounted Standard room:

• Single occupancy £125 per room
  Double occupancy £140 per room

Discounted Double deluxe room:

• Single occupancy £140 per room
  Double occupancy £155 per room

Discounted Superior room:

• Single occupancy £165 per room
  Double occupancy £180 per room

Guests will have full access to the gymnasium and pool during their stay. Spa treatments are available at an additional cost.