Local towns

Barton-on-Sea (8 miles)
There's a good beach in this seaside village with outstanding views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Beaulieu (16 miles)
This ancient village is best known for the National Motor Museum and Palace House, home to the Montagu family. The village, with tiny shops and a pub, is built around a wide tidal river, attracting all kinds of wildlife.

Boldre (15½ miles)
Small pretty village near Lymington with a well preserved 800 year old church.

Bramshaw (14½ miles)
The highest point in the New Forest is near Bramshaw, Piper's Wait.

Brockenhurst (12½ miles)
A busy railway station, main line into london (1½ hrs). The village itself is peaceful with a pretty green often full of grazing ponies and cattle.

Christchurch (10 miles)
Christchurch has a unique combination of fascinating heritage, beautiful coastline, peaceful rivers and spectacular natural harbours.

Eling (14½ miles)
Visit the old quay to see a working tide mill and heritage centre or enjoy a walk along the river.

Highcliffe (9 miles)
Definitely worth a visit to Highcliffe Castle which leads down through a wooded cliff to a sandy beach with good views to the Isle of White, a less commercial beach than the neighbouring beaches.

Exbury (20 miles)
A small village on the banks of Beaulieu River with the world famous Woodland Gardens and steam railway.

Fordingbridge (12½ miles)
A small country town on the banks of the River Avon. It was recorded in the Domesday Book. The first Great Bridge with its seven graceful arches, built in medieval times, is upstream from the ford and a major feature of the town.

Fritham (16 miles)
The Royal Oak pub in this small village on the northern edge of the Forest is often called the forest "parliament"

Hythe (18½ miles)
Take a train ride along the Victorian pier and then catch the ferry across to Southampton. You'll see great ocean liners in the Southampton Water and the old part of Hythe is full of Victorian and Georgian buildings.

Lymington (17 miles)
The high street leads down to the quay, marina's and Lymington River which meets the Solent. Lymington has a good selection of shops and pretty period cottages and houses. The car ferry to the Isle of Wight is just outside the town. Saturday market down the high street.

Lyndhurst (9 miles)
Shops, pubs and cafes, the museum and visitor centre. The imposing building next to the church is Queen's House, headquarters of the Forestry Commission and containing the 14th century Verderers' Hall.

Milford on Sea (12 miles)
Wonderful views of the Needles and Christchurch Bay from this seaside village with its shingle beach.

Minstead (14 miles)
Minstead with it's thatched cottages and ponies grazing on the village green was referred to in the Doomsday book as "Mintestede", the place where mint is grown. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who created Sherlock Holmes, mentioned Minstead in his novel "The White Company" and for part of his life resided in the village.

New Milton (7½ miles)
A larger town and close to both the coast and open forest.

Ringwood (7 miles)
For centuries the forest's main market town, with a charter dating back to 1226. Standing on the western edge of the forest at a crossing point of the River Avon. The town has a mixture of modern shops, historic inns and thatched cottages.

Sway (8 miles)
The Children of the New Forest, written by Captain Marryat was set in and around Sway. There is a nationally renowned art gallery in the centre of the village.

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