The New Forest

The Coast with the Most, The Forest on Your Doorstep

Why choose between a vibrant beach break and a peaceful forest escape? In Bournemouth, you get the Coast with the Most - and England's newest National Park is just 15 minutes away by train.

Wake up to award-winning beaches and a town buzzing with energy, spend your day cycling through ancient woodlands or spotting wild ponies, and be back in time for cocktails and a sunset dinner on the pier. This is the ultimate "best of both worlds" base camp.

Adventures for the Active Explorer

For those who like to keep moving, the New Forest is your gym.

• Cycle the Tracks: Bournemouth is a cyclist's dream, but the forest takes it off-road. With over 100 miles of gravel tracks, you can hire a bike in Brockenhurst (direct train from Bournemouth) and disappear into the trees.
• The "Beach & Barn" Day: Start with a morning surf at Boscombe, then hop in the car or bus to Burley for an afternoon hike. It’s the perfect way to reset your mind and body.

A Relaxing Day Out for Families

Looking for an effortless day out?

Pub Lunches: Trade the promenade for a thatched country pub. Villages like‍ Lyndhurst and Fordingbridge boast roaring fires, local ales, and hearty food - perfect for unwinding after a busy week.

• Local Tip: Try The Old Beams at Ibsley near Ringwood for a classic thatched-pub experience with great local ales and a warm welcome, just a short drive from Bournemouth.

Car-Free Exploration: Forget the parking stress. The New Forest Tour (seasonal open-top bus) picks up nearby, offering panoramic views of roaming cattle, donkeys, and deer without you lifting a finger.

900 Years of Wild History

When you cycle these tracks, you are riding through the former hunting grounds of kings. Created by William the Conqueror in 1079, this unique landscape has survived for over nine centuries.

Why are there ponies everywhere? It’s not just for show! Thanks to ancient "Commoners' Rights," locals have been allowed to let their animals roam free since medieval times. These "architects of the forest" graze the land, helping to preserve and increase biodiversity, keeping the forest wild, open, and accessible for your adventures today.

Legends & Smugglers: From the "Rufus Stone," marking the spot where a King was killed by a stray arrow, to the smuggling tunnels of Burley, the forest is packed with legends waiting to be discovered.

Must-Visit Villages from Bournemouth

• Brockenhurst: The hub of the forest where ponies roam the high street (approx. 20 mins by train). Brockenhurst is well-known for its diversity of shops, tea houses, pubs and high-quality restaurants.
• Burley: Famous for its witches, witchcraft history, and heavy horses. A quirky favourite for a unique day trip. Burley depicts everything you would expect from a traditional old New Forest village. It is in a lee of a hill and surrounded by an area of outstanding natural beauty.
• Beaulieu: Home to the National Motor Museum; a world-class attraction for petrolheads and families alike. The picturesque and historic village of Beaulieu nestling on the bank of the Beaulieu River has delighted visitors through the centuries. It was here in 1204 that King John gave the area, known as Bellus Locus (Beautiful Place), to the Cistercian monks and it is now believed that a little way up the river, in 1100, King Rufus was killed with an arrow.
• Lymington: Lymington is lovely Georgian market town with cobbled streets and Quay. Along the nearby tidal salt marshes there is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ten miles of nature reserves.

• Fordingbridge and Bickton: Fordingbridge, on the edge of the New Forest is a traditional riverside town and an ideal picnic location is Riverside Park. Explore the tiny hamlet of Bickton – a great spot for fishing and home to an 18^th century mill.

Plan Your Journey

Everything you need to know for a stress-free trip.

• Getting There by Train: Fast & direct. Trains run regularly from Bournemouth Station to Brockenhurst (approx. 15–20 mins) and New Milton (approx. 15 mins). Most services allow bikes!
• The New Forest Tour (Summer Only): Hop on the Blue Route open-top bus, which connects the coast to the forest.
• Driving: The drive takes approximately 20–30 minutes via the A338.

Find Your Base Camp

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