New Forest Knowledge seeks to provide a link to New Forest related datasets and mapping layers created by different organisations both locally and nationally. The aim is to create one site where various mapping layers and data can be interrogated in one place to help you undertake your research.
The New Forest Knowledge Map can be found on the homepage and provides the ability to turn on various layers and interact with them.
Clicking the layers box in the top right hand corner of the map drops down a list of the available datasets, which can be clicked on and off as needed. The blue line to the right allows you to changes the transparency so you can interrogate different layers at the same time. You will see layer copyright information and links to the parent source in the bottom right hand corner of the map. There navigation on the left hand side of the map allows user to zoom in and out and the ‘L’ shows the legend of the mapping layers currently turned on.
The following provides some information on the different mapping datasets and how best to use them:
Base Maps
The majority of the base maps including Ordnance Survey, Aerial and Open Street Map are served up from Bing Maps, this means they will be updated automatically with the latest aerial images and mapping information.
Historic Maps
Though found in the overlays grouping these are best used as base maps. Historic maps have been provided by the National Library of Scotland. As well as the mapping we have drawn into New Forest Knoweledge they hold a lot more so they are well worth a visit when undertaking any research.
Lidar
Though found in the overlays grouping these are best used as base maps. Lidar data has been used to produce a false coloured 3d model of the ground surface. You can find out more about the power of lidar here: About Lidar
All Data Sources
This layer depicts all records from the different sources on New Forest Knowledge that have a geographical location. When zoomed out you will see these as clusters (circles with numbers in), as you zoom in these will change and then become markers, which can be clicked on to show the record concerned. The house icons are groupings of records by parish, where a parish is mentioned but not a detailed co-ordinate. You can turn this layer on and off.
Overlays
Natural Environment
These overlays are supplied through Natural England and show the various protection areas that apply in the New Forest from international RAMSAR sites to local designations such as Nature Reserves.
landscape
These datasets have been produced by the New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority to show more detailed landscape information such as type and character and river catchments.
New Forest
These datasets include the National Park boundary, parish boundaries, conservation areas and recent tranquillity mapping undertaken by the NFNPA.
Archaeology
These datasets include scheduled monuments and listed buildings made available by Historic England. It also includes National Mapping Programme work undertaken by the NFNPA as part of a national Historic England project in 2009. National Mapping uses old maps and aerial images to locate and record potential archaeology. This work was undertaken for the NFNPA and HE by Cornwall County Council Heritage Team as a desk based exercise. The NFNPA archaeology team and volunteers are using this as a base layer from which to build on and amend, by visiting and verifying all of the identified sites. New Forest National Mapping is a huge dataset so it has been broken down into small chronological chunks to help with research. Please note that this dataset is not being updated, but the results of survey will be made available through the Hampshire Historic Environment Record layer which we have also now added to the layers.