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Home > The New Forest > Towns & villages Local attractions The New Forest and its surrounding area has towns and villages of all sizes. To learn more about local tourist attractions, visit the New Forest Tourist website or go to one of their Visitor Centres, in Lyndhurst or Lymington.
Beaulieu (top) Beaulieu has quaint shops and thatched houses. This is the home village of Lord Montagu and his Palace House and famous Motor Museum. Beaulieu is owned by the Lord and property can not be bought, only leased from the Manor. Drive towards Brockenhurst on the A337 and turn right just before the railway barriers. Follow the signposts to Beaulieu and you will drive through shady roads with tall trees and then through open heathland. When you see houses with thatched roofs you'll know you've reached the best well kept and prettiest village in the area. The main street is cobbled and allows only one lane of traffic. The village is beside the estuary leading to the Solent, alongside which is a footpath to Bucklers Hard. Bournemouth (top) Bournemouth is a large town and a well sought after seaside resort. One of the two large towns near the New Forest is the seaside resort of Bournemouth with its long sandy beaches; good for surfing and other watersports. Drive to Lyndhurst and turn left as you come into the town, in the opposite direction to Southampton. Drive through Christchurch and follow the Wessex Way into Bournemouth. This hilly town has its shopping area very close to the beach. The pier has a 1930s theatre at the end of it, and every summer season it hosts famous actors in some sort of farce or another. Brockenhurst (top) Brockenhurst is a characteristic forest village set in Crown forestland. Turn right from the Filly Inn, and the little village of Brockenhurst is about a mile. Brockenhurst has the oldest church in the New Forest, St Nicholas Church, which is situated on the outskirts of the village. The church was built in Norman times and has a typical Norman font. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The churchyard is famous for the grave of 'Brusher' Mills; a snake-catcher who lived in the forest as a hermit only coming out when called to capture snakes. It also sites the graves of the Anzac soldiers who died during the war. Every year, Brockenhurst has a service to commemorate their lives. In the village itself there is a ford which marks the end of the shopping area, which is comprised of small and very interesting shops. There are many places to hire bicycles, including tandems and kiddie buggies. Brockenhurst also has a main line train station, only an hour and twenty minutes to London. Bucklers Hard (top) Bucklers Hard has been maintained in the late 18th century style. Go as if to Beaulieu, but turn off to the right before reaching the village. Alternatively walk from Beaulieu along the estuary. The old dock is where Nelson launched his ships and where ships such as 'Agamemnon' and 'Illustrious' were built. The unkempt street to the waterside is lined with houses restored to their original state. The museum at the top of the street depicts life as it was in Nelson's day with the voices and smells of the bygone days. Burley (top) Burley is the most picturesque village in the New Forest. Take the road opposite the pub, turn right at Marlpit crossroads and follow the road through the forest to the most picturesque villages of Burley. Here the ponies and donkeys are allowed to roam free. The shops are mainly for the tourists full of interesting knick-knacks. You can take a wagon ride into the depths of the Forest from the village car park. In olden days, the smugglers came here to sell their wares. Lymington (top) Lymington is a market town with the high street leading down a cobbled street to the Quay, with a view of the Isle of Wight. Turn left from the Filly and drive about 3 miles to the coastal town of Lymington. The town lies on the mouth of Lymington River where it joins the Solent. Lymington has one main street, lined with shops, leading to a cobbled street to the quay. From the quay you can see boats of all shapes and sizes, fishing boats and the Wightlink ferry to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. The journey on the ferry takes less than half an hour to an unspoilt island where time has almost stopped still. The history of Lymington tells of tunnels under the main street to the riverbanks where smugglers used to work in abundance. There is a great and unique market every Saturday down the whole of the high street, with plenty of bargains. Lyndhurst (top) Lyndhurst is known as the gateway to the Forest. From the Filly turn right, go through Brockenhurst and onto Lyndhurst, staying on the A337. The busy little town can be frustrating in the summer with its traffic congestion, but once in the town you can visit the museum of the New Forest and the Tourist Information Centre. The Church is famous for being the resting-place for Mrs Reginald Hargreaves, the inspiration for 'Alice' of 'Alice in Wonderland'. Lyndhurst is the residence for the ancient Court of Verderers. This is located in the 17th century Queens' House. Milford on Sea & Keyhaven (top) Milford on Sea on the Solent probably has the best view of The Isle of Wight. Turn left from the Filly Inn towards Lymington and follow the coast road to Christchurch. After about 8 miles, turn off to your left, at Everton, towards the sea. The coastline, here, is a bit more rugged than in Bournemouth, with cliffs full of fossils. The beach is mainly pebbled with a few sandy spots, and still quiet on days when Bournemouth can be very busy. There is a magnificent view of the Needles off the Isle of Wight. Keyhaven has an old fort, jutting out to sea, now a museum. It can be reached by a small boat or, when the tide is out, by foot from Milford along the shingle bank. Southampton (top) Southampton is a town with many features including being a port for great cruise ships such as the Oriana. One of the main big towns nearby is the port of Southampton, with its busy and desirable shopping centres. Southampton is about 15 miles away, through Lyndhurst. Parking is easy. There is a large leisure complex with multiple cinema screens, bowling alley and nightclubs and an excellent Theatre with West End productions. It's not a city yet it has the air and nightlife of a city. Although a bustling place it has lots of green parks in the centre. Parts of the wall around the old city can still be seen and are of great interest to archaeologists.
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