Our favourite New Forest towns and villages

The New Forest has something for everyone – incredible scenery, a choice of active outdoor activities and an array of delightful towns and villages. If you’re eager to explore the New Forest but not sure where to go, check out our selection of wonderful New Forest towns and villages that provide plenty to keep visitors well entertained.

Lyndhurst

The village of Lyndhurst is considered the capital of the New Forest and is a good starting choice for people who are keen to explore the region. Visitors to Lyndhurst can stop by the New Forest Centre which is an informative and useful attraction for discovering more about the New Forest and how to make the most of a trip here. The grave of Alice Liddell (who later became Mrs. Reginald Hargreaves), on whom the character of Alice in Alice in Wonderland was based, can be found at St Michaels and All Angels Church. There are plenty of places to enjoy a meal or a refreshing drink and the village is also home to the Verderers’ Court.

Brockenhurst

Don’t be surprised if you see ponies, donkeys and cattle roaming the streets of Brockenhurst – in fact, you should be surprised if you don’t see them! In addition to the local animal residents, the village has a great selection of shops and the Parish Church of St. Nicholas was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The nearby Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is a pretty road that is particularly attractive in spring when the flowers that line it are in bloom.

Beaulieu

The small but beautiful village of Beaulieu offers an array of delights to entice visitors. Anyone with an interest in cars should zoom to the National Motor Museum which has more than 250 cars and motorbikes within its collection. Visitors interested in historic buildings should definitely stop by the beautiful Beaulieu Abbey which was founded in 1204. The grand Palace House with its pretty gardens is an equally striking nearby attraction that once served as the abbey’s Great Gatehouse before it became the home of the Montagu family.

Burley

Burley features a diverse and rich history, having been associated with smugglers, highwaymen and even a white witch. Nowadays there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy here such as cycling, horse riding and fishing, while for leisurely outdoor explorations visitors can take a horse-drawn wagon ride or a summer deer safari courtesy of a tractor-drawn trailer. Pay a visit to the cider farm to sample some refreshing New Forest cider or enjoy a tasty cream tea at one of the charming tea rooms - and keep an eye out for the free-roaming ponies and cattle!

Lymington

The Georgian coastal town of Lymington hosts a weekly Saturday street market with stalls that sell a range of goods, from plants to food and crafts. Visitors can view fishing boats and luxury yachts from the quay and if they fancy some time on the water themselves boat trips are available from the quay and ferries provide journeys from the town to the Isle of Wight. St. Barbe Museum provides insight into the history of the town and the New Forest coast, plus there is also a good choice of restaurants and pubs in the town for refuelling after a day of exploring.

Minstead

Visitors to the Lyndhurst area may want to combine their trip with a journey to the small village of Minstead which is a short drive or less than an hour’s walk from Lyndhurst. The churchyard in Minstead is the burial place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer of Sherlock Holmes. The village is also home to the beautiful Furzey Gardens which won a Gold award in the RHS Chelsea 2012 show.

Christchurch

Lovely Christchurch isn’t technically within the New Forest but is very close, lying just outside on the Dorset coast, making it a good stopping point for people who wish to visit both the forest and the beach. Christchurch boasts England’s longest parish church, Christchurch Priory Church, which was constructed in 1094. Christchurch Quay is also well worth visiting and boats can be hired from here for fun on the water.

Varied delights that showcase the New Forest’s charm

Each of these towns and villages offer a range of tempting attractions to satisfy diverse tastes. From bustling streets full of enticing shops to fun outdoor activities, ancient buildings and gorgeous surrounding landscapes, visitors are sure to be charmed and will be very reluctant to leave the New Forest at the end of their trip!

Don't know where to stay? Discover a great range of camping sites in the New Forest here.