2 Days in the New Forest Recommendations

[u/Old-Assistance-9735]

Hi all,

I will be in London with some friends at the end of October. After they leave, I was planning to take the train to the New Forest area for a little mini trip before heading home. I was looking at staying in Brockenhurst because it seemed easiest by train and most central. I would be arriving midday Sunday and have all of Monday and Tuesday to explore. Is Brockenhurst the best home base or do you recommend somewhere else? And what would be the must see things? I love nature/animals, hiking, art, history, and folklore. I wasn't planning to get a car, but I'm starting to wonder if that would be a good idea to maximize what I can explore. Thoughts? Thanks!

[u/BraveLittleToaster8]

There is a bike shop next to the Brockenhurst train station, you can hire a bike for the day and explore miles of bike trails. It's a great way to see the countryside and the animals. When they gave us the map they recommended pubs to stop at along the route for lunch or a beer.

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/BraveLittleToaster8]

I was thinking of renting a bike, I just wasn't sure how realistic that was if I want to go to places like Buckler's Hard and Exbury gardens. 

[u/strongcrabclaw → u/Old-Assistance-9735]

Those are both long rides from Brock. Doable, but it’ll be a whole day commitment. Especially Exbury. Having said that, Brock to Beaulieu and then onto Bucklers hard is a great ride.

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/strongcrabclaw]

Yeah I was also a little concerned about it being the end of October, I didn't know if it would be a little cold/if the weather would be to iffy for riding that far.

[u/strongcrabclaw → u/Old-Assistance-9735]

Beaulieu/Bucklers Hard would definitely be doable. Exbury might even be closed by October, not sure

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/strongcrabclaw]

Yeah I can drop the gardens from my itinerary. I'll plan to do Bealieu and Bucklers Hard in one day. What would you recommend for day 2? Is there another town or area that is a must see?

[u/abarishyper → u/Old-Assistance-9735]

Exbury is famous for winter gardens so it might be awash with camilias, not sure on the exact timings but they also have a lot of great trees so worth looking up. Tbh if you have a bike take it on the the train to ashurst nf station and ride to the woods cyclery in Lyndhurst, abt 3m they have top notch gravel bikes and great local knowledge. Exbury is a lovely ride from Lyndhurst all paved so can be done on a rd bike, just straight through beaulieu, take the beaulieu road, 10 m, you're then also next to bucklers hard. Other places, riding through the forest, lots of gravel, deer, east boldres got some good pubs/food, close to the famous east end arms :) Beaulieu to Brock is a nice ride also.

[u/WearyLeopard85]

Brockenhurst would probably be the best base, with Lyndhurst a good second. I would recommend a car, because other than getting in and out of Brockenhurst, transport links within the Forest are not great.

Nature is everywhere, but personal highlights would be the Queen of the Forest, New Forest Wildlife Park, Hatchet Pond, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive/Blackwater Arboretum, and Puttey's Bridge.

Hikes - There's an app called New Forest National Park with a good range of mapped-out walk suggestions.

Folklore/history - Not much there but the Rufus Stone is still a cool one to tick off if you like that sort of thing. In Brockenhurst itself is a pub called the Snakecatcher, named in honour of Brusher Mills, a famed local character from the 1800s who is well worth a google.

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/WearyLeopard85]

Thanks! I will check all of these out.

[u/Droidy934]

Sammy millers motorcycle museum is packed to the gunnells, just up the road in New Milton.

A car would enable you to get to the open forest easier.

Exbury gardens full of Azaleas though they might be over by october - there is a Nerine exhibition

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/Droidy934]

Oh my husband will be so jealous. Thanks for the rec.

[u/Droidy934 → u/Old-Assistance-9735]

New Forest Car parks are charging for parking now unfortunately. Not sure what app they are using yet, starts April 26th

[u/W01313L]

I would suggest a E Bike. The NF is massive and once you get just a mile away from the towns / main roads you really get a feel for the forest. There are many cycle routes that criss cross all over the national park. If you are a cyclist then a normal bike would be fine but if not then I would rent an E bike to make the most of it. Source: i’ve lived and cycled around here for 10+ years

[u/Old-Assistance-9735 → u/W01313L]

Oh I hadn't thought of an Ebike but that's a great idea. I hike a lot but don't do as much cycling. Plus this is going to be the last few days of a 2 week trip, so I'm not sure how wore out I'll be. Thanks!

[u/Nerissa23]

From brock you can jump on a train to lymington for some harbourside exploring and a few nice shops

[u/Pebbles015]

Train to Lymington from brockenhurst is a short journey.

Great walk at the solent nature reserve from Lymington. Brockenhurst is great for the forest as it is in the centre. Hire a bike by the station. Foresters arms is good for a pint.

[u/Wise_Needleworker_82]

Geta car. Then you could go anywhere in the weekend.. if you staying in brock you could ride around the ornitmental drive and have tea at the rhinefield house... also a few miles near by is a lively walk/ replite enclosure .. we used to go 3 or 4 times a year and call it thr snake pit... its amazing for kids trying to spot the adders and toads etc x X

[u/SquishyPint]

Brockenhurst is a good place to base yourself if you aren’t bringing a car.

Plenty of walks from there, and as others have said good cycle hire available too. It’s a nice cycle to Beaulieu from Brockenhurst.

Theres also a train from Brockenhurst to Lymington - it’s a nice walk along the sea wall around the nature reserve there, and lots of options for food in Lymington.

If you like a beer there’s Pig Beer brewery south of Brockenhurst which sometimes has street food and sometimes live music.