New and Selected Poems by Ted Hughes contains a generous selection of poetry from the former poet laureate's books The Hawk in the Rain, Lupercal, Wodwo, Crow, Cave Birds, Season Songs, Gaudete, Remains of Elmet, Moortown Diary, Earth-Numb, Flowers and Insects, What is the Truth?, River, Wolfwatching and Rain Charm for the Duchy, as well as numerous uncollected poems.

This volume replaced Ted Hughes's Selected Poems 1957-1981. It contains a larger selection from the same period, to which are added poems from more recent books, uncollected poems from each decade of Ted Hughes's writing life, and some new work. Another notable feature is the inclusion of poems from his books for younger readers, What is the Truth? and Season Songs.