The New Forest is so close and full of wonderful places to see. It’s an easy trip down the M3 to the southern part of England, then discover natural beauty and charm.
A royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror, the New Forest boasts river valleys, woodlands, outdoor activities and stunning little towns to discover. Golf, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, etc, are all available to try.
Start with Lymington and work your way through until you find something just for you.
Lymington
Located between Southampton and Bournemouth, this stunning Georgian market town is actually on the coast and, with that, it has been famous for its sailing history. You also get to see plenty of period cottages, houses, restaurants and local pubs.
With a local market held every Saturday, which dates back to the 13th century, it is also filled with designer boutiques and independent shops. You can enjoy the fresh fish while soaking up the fresh atmosphere.
Lymington was home to Captain Arthur Phillip RN. It also has the oldest open sea water baths, dating from the 18th century.
Beaulieu
Look over the mill pond towards the stunning Palace House. Also, located at the head of the beautiful tidal Beaulieu River is Beaulieu village. The overall view is charming with its lovely old houses, chocolate shops, donkeys and ponies wandering the area. Along the river, you also find Exbury Gardens which are home to a lovely collection of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, along with the Rothschild family and the famous Exbury steam railway. Then there’s the renowned shipbuilding village Buckler’s Hard, which has been preserved with time. You can enjoy boat trips, the maritime museum and riverside walks here.
If you are fond of vintage cars, go to The National Motor Museum but if you are obsessed with home-made police cars, reliant rockets and amphibious vehicles, you should be here too. You can also get hold of the secret army exhibition, where they tell you amazing facts about the trained spies in the Second World War. Here in this museum, the Palace House is another popular tourist attraction, which has been home to the much-known Montagu family for more than 500 years now. Don’t miss out the famous discovery of King John Beaulieu Abbey which dates back to 1204.
Website: www.beaulieu.co.uk
Lyndhurst
Famous as William the Conqueror’s hunting base, this is believed to be the largest village located in the New Forest area. For several years, this has been the haunt of nobility, royalty and commoners.
Its manor house was frequently visited by kings and the queens. This is a must-visit place for visitors who will also get to see gift shops, New Forest Museum, a visitor information centre and reference library. The museum here offers a smart insight into the heritage and history of the New Forest. Captain Arthur Phillip RN lived here in 1763. It was from this place that he founded the New South Wales colony and also discovered Sydney Harbour.
Alice Liddell (Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) was actually buried here at St. Michael and All Angels church. This church in Lyndhurst is worth a visit for all those who are in love with historic Gothic churches. There are also many choices of pubs, rooms, restaurants and independent shops.
Ringwood
This has been the main market town just outside the New Forest for many centuries now and dates back to the 1226. Standing at the crossing point of the beautiful River Avon, it continues as a market town which is lively and delightful. It is also filled with modern shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs in an environment that promises a historic setting. This is an ideal town as a base for any tourist making a trip to the New Forest area.
Enjoy a stroll around the lovely Jubilee Garden or simply view the River Avon from West Street from the stone bridge. Then Christchurch Priory on south coast awaits you too. Other tourist attractions nearby are Ringwood Brewery, Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Blashford Lakes Wildlife Reserve, and much more.
Explore Rare Habitats
This 140 square miles of land is home to diverse species and amazing habitats, most of which are rare, including the flora and fauna. Over 2,500 species of moths, butterflies and wild deer have been found in the New Forest. Rare reptiles and unique species of plants are here too. With a huge network of cycle paths and footpaths, the New Forest can be explored at leisure, and you must come with lots of time at hand to explore the natural treasures of this area.
Other activities in the New Forest
Cycling: A fabulous place for cycling enthusiasts as there are many choices of cycling routes for people with different abilities! You experience a huge range of wildlife and habitats by cycling on this 143-mile long track.
Golfing: Thanks to the stunning landscapes and scenery, they have golf courses which are ideal for most seasoned golfers, as well as beginners. Take the varying amount of difficulty levels in mind, there a plethora of 9- or 18-hole courses.
Water sports: No matter what water activity you are fond of – rib rides, canoeing or luxury sunset sails – this area is a natural choice when it comes to enjoyable water activities. The huge wealth of water sports include windsurfing or sailing on inland or coastal waters. Stunning and gorgeous coastlines are a plus.
Walking: You can enjoy taking a stroll through the vibrant walking routes with loads of twists and turns through the woodlands and steams. You can either join an organised walking event, or simply book a private guide.
Horse riding: There can’t be a better way to enjoy the New Forest than on horseback. You get to see over 3,000 forest ponies and it is surely a perfect backdrop for those who want to relax. You can also enjoy a carriage ride.
Shopping & Leisure
You can shop at the independent and designer shops offering amazing choices in art galleries, craft, antiques and local produce. Even shopaholics can satisfy their needs, and there are many places to delight your taste buds. Burley Fudge Shop and Chocolate Studio are both popular options. Visit New Forest Cider or Setley Vineyard for the wine and drinks. A fantastic range of jewellery and clothing shops are also available. Find your perfect souvenir.
This picturesque and beautiful National Park in the stunning county of Hampshire is second to none with its diverse landscapes, varied species of animals and plants and various other forms of fun activities and exercise. A more than perfect place for holidays, days out or a short break!
The post Exploring the New Forest appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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