New Forest – The Crown’s Hunting Ground is a captivating one-hour documentary shot in the heart of Southern England where a royal forest lies. Hosted by Hugh Bonneville, cameras capture a wild and magical place of ancient beauty that’s hardly changed since King William the Conqueror proclaimed it as his hunting grounds some 900 years ago. In this one-hour film, witness a remarkable year in the life of the forest, told through the eyes of its most iconic inhabitants: New Forest Pony spring foal, a pair of rare goshawks nesting in the ancient woods and a fallow red deer stag.

Stretching south from the famous Salisbury Plains to the shores of The Solent, which flows into the English Channel, the New Forest National Park is the largest and richest lowland wilderness in Britain, home to more ancient woods, mossy mires and rich heathlands than any other landscape in Europe. From feast to famine, New Forest – The Crown’s Hunting Ground is an extraordinary tale of how people and animals have shaped the destiny of a royal forest.

“An ancient landscape and a contemporary haven for Britain’s wildlife, The New Forest is one of the nation’s jewels,” said host Hugh Bonneville. “It is a unique and precious environment, brilliantly captured in this enthralling and thought-provoking film.”

“This was a beautifully shot documentary charting a year in the life of the New Forest… it was a pleasure to watch…” – The Telegraph

“The photography was exquisite in this portrait of a year in the national park.” – The Sunday Times 

Big Wave were given special permission to film this during lockdown from the Forestry Commission England. The film was shot by James Aldred and the New Forest camera team consisted of Matt Roseveare, Manny Hinge, Max Smith, James Blake, Alex Meacock, Chris Openshaw, Chris Watts and Aaron Cook. Specialist goshawk filming with Lloyd and Rose Buck.

The film has fantastic original score from David Mitcham and mixed by Andrew Wilson, Owen Peters and Nick Allan from RedSix Mix. Post production was from Wez Hibberd and online from Jon Ramsey at Film at 59.

US Broadcast title on Smithsonian and Terra Mater: The Crown’s Ancient Forest