New Forest
 - Explorers
     Guide
New Forest
Explorers Guide
Days out farther away composite image
Pony near Hampton Ridge
For comprehensive information about the New Forest National Park
For comprehensive information about the New Forest National Park
MENU
***** For information about New Forest access restrictions and related matters, check out the Forestry England website. *****

Days out a little farther afield

Whilst the New Forest is a wonderful place to stay, it also makes a superb centre for exploring more widely: for walking along the Solent Way on the nearby coast, relaxing on sandy beaches or travelling to Dorset's seaside resorts and attractions. Delightful, out-of-the-way country villages, and historic towns and cities are within easy travelling distance, and so is the still imposing ruined castle at Corfe.

Included here are many suggestions for a wide variety of places to visit, and all within a 35 mile drive of Lyndhurst, the unofficial 'centre' of the New Forest.

Bournemouth - sea, sand, sun, shops and a whole lot more
Breamore - an absolutely delightful Avon valley village
Brownsea Island - a boat trip, a variety of walks, red squirrels and sika deer
Christchurch - an ever-popular coastal town with ancient priory and castle
Corfe Castle - an absolute gem set amidst the Purbeck countryside
Downton - one of Wiltshire's most picturesque villages, and so close to the New Forest
Fordingbridge - a pleasant town beside the River Avon
Hengistbury Head - sea, sand, history, walks and magnificent views
Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle - Isle of Wight views, a historic castle, and a boat trip or a wonderful walk
Isle of Wight - a journey back in time: so near, yet so different
Keyhaven - an ancient quay that is now a haven for walkers and wildlife
Lymington - coastal delights and Georgian splendour
Mudeford Quay - nautical traditions and a crab catchers' delight
Ringwood - a historic market town nestled in the Avon valley
Romsey - a historic Test valley town
Salisbury - a wonderful cathedral city that never disappoints
Southampton - medieval town walls, 21st century shopping and a whole lot more
Shell Bay and Studland - panoramic views; a pristine, sandy beach; and a National Nature Reserve
Swanage - a marvellously traditional seaside resort
Winchester - an 11th century cathedral, museums and markets aplenty, and all the trappings of a modern city
Map of the area
Quick links

More links


 Search this site


** New Forest ponies and other animals**
The New Forest
Commoners' ponies, cattle, pigs, sheep and donkeys are a popular part of the New Forest scene, but during 2019 agisters attended 159 road traffic accidents involving these animals, a small but disappointing increase on the 154 accidents attended in 2018.

Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.

(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).

Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)
** Always take care when driving **
The Glorious New Forest
The New Forest
The New Forest
Marvellous landscapes, marvellous wildlife
Content produced by Andrew Walmsley
Content produced by Andrew Walmsley