Where have you seen the New Forest before?
Ever walked through the New Forest and felt a strange sense of déjà vu? Chances are, you’ve seen it on screen.
With its ancient woodland, historic houses, coastline and quietly cinematic villages, the New Forest has played starring roles in major films, prestige dramas and much-loved British TV programmes for decades. From Hollywood blockbusters to Sunday night favourites, this living landscape has doubled as Sherwood Forest, Balmoral, Victorian England and even a galaxy far, far away.
Here are some of the most memorable places where the New Forest has stepped into the spotlight.
Fritham
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The quiet village of Fritham and its surrounding woodland famously stood in for Sherwood Forest in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. More than half of the film’s outdoor scenes were shot in the New Forest, with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman galloping through woodland that today forms part of a beautiful circular walk.
It’s hard to imagine a more cinematic setting - tall trees, open glades and timeless forest atmosphere that still feels unchanged.
Breamore House
Classic period drama favourite
Just outside the New Forest near Fordingbridge, Breamore House is a regular choice for period productions. It appeared in the 1977 TV adaptation of Children of the New Forest, the BBC’s The Barchester Chronicles starring Alan Rickman, and the 1997 film The Woodlanders.
Its Elizabethan architecture and historic interiors make it a natural fit for heritage storytelling.
Image - Breamore House
Fawley Power Station
From spy thrillers to Star Wars
Fawley Power Station remains one of the New Forest’s most recognisable screen locations.
It famously doubled as a high-security facility in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, where Tom Cruise performed one of the franchise’s most daring stunts. It also appeared in Solo: A Star Wars Story, transforming into a gritty industrial backdrop for a high-speed chase.
On television, the site featured in Endeavour and the espionage drama Spies - proving that even industrial landscapes have their moment.
Lymington
Detective dramas and documentary favourites
The Georgian quayside town of Lymington took centre stage in series two of ITV’s Unforgotten, where its streets, pubs and waterfront formed the heart of the investigation.
Lymington - and the wider New Forest - has also featured in A Year in the New Forest, offering a slower, more intimate look at life in this unique landscape. Earlier still, it appeared in the Worzel Gummidge Christmas special, filmed across multiple New Forest locations.
Rhinefield House Hotel
The Crown
Often described as the jewel of the New Forest, Rhinefield House Hotel was transformed into Balmoral for Netflix’s The Crown. Filmed in 2018, the hotel’s grand architecture and woodland setting provided a convincing stand-in for the Royal Family’s Scottish retreat.
Image - Rhinefield House Hotel
Beaulieu River and Palace House
A master of disguise
The tranquil Beaulieu River has played many roles on screen. In A Man for All Seasons, it doubled as the River Thames, with King Henry VIII arriving by barge in what was meant to be Chelsea.
More recently, it appeared as Miami’s waterfront in The Infiltrator, and featured in Walks With My Dog.
Nearby Beaulieu Palace House has also welcomed cameras for Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, Most Haunted and episodes of The Avengers.
Buckler’s Hard
History brought to life
The riverside shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard has featured in Digging for Britain, where its rich maritime heritage was explored on screen.
Other New Forest screen sightings
- Barton on Sea starred in a Cadbury’s Christmas advert, filmed on Byron Road during its famous festive light displays
- Lyndhurst welcomed The Undateables, with filming around Bolton’s Bench and the High Street
- Lepe Lighthouse and estate beach doubled for an American shoreline in Catastrophe
- St Mary Magdalene Church appeared in the BBC sitcom Potter
- Ringwood Leisure Centre famously became the fictional Whitbury Leisure Centre in The Brittas Empire
Explore the New Forest for yourself
From woodland paths and riverside villages to grand houses and quiet coastline, the New Forest continues to attract filmmakers - and it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re retracing famous filming locations or simply soaking up the scenery, this is a landscape that feels cinematic at every turn. Explore on foot, by bike, or at a slower pace - and you might just recognise more than you expect.
