After razing 36 parishes near Winchester Castle to the ground, William the Conqueror had a royal forest devoted to hunting planted in the area. Heavy penalties were inflicted on whoever was found harming the trees or the deer. The Crown finally gave the forest to the Forestry Commission in 1924. Horses, donkeys, deer, cattle and even boar now roam wild over the 373km² of woods, moors and marshlands. Drivers should be aware of wild animals, even on superb routes such as the Bolderwood and Rhinefield ornamental drives.