Fordingbridge

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Known as the northern gateway to The New Forest, Fordingbridge, is a small riverside town. Built on the banks of the River Avon, Fordingbridge was recorded in the Domesday Book under the name ‘Forde’.

A key landmark of the town is the medieval bridge, upstream from the ford, with its seven graceful arches that span the river.

Once an industrial town and commercial centre, Fordingbridge was also noted for its smuggling - the infamous Captain Diamond, the ‘Smuggler King' spent much of his time in a local hostelry. During the 16th century, the town was a centre for cloth making.

St Mary’s Church, just off the High Street, was also mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It has features of Norman architecture and was restored in the 19th century. Within the churchyard you can find a memorial to James Alexander Seton, the last British man killed in a duel in England.

The artist Paul Kidby, best known for his art based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld, lives and works in Fordingbridge to this day.

These days, the town offers a range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Things to do in Fordingbridge

A great place to start is with a visit the town's museum. Open from Easter until the end of October, this free museum brings the local history to life. You will find out more about the history of the local businesses and trades, get to experience a WWII bomb shelter and learn about one of Fordingbridge’s famous residents, local artist Augustus John.

You can find a statue of the artist near to the town bridge. A controversial figure in the town, Augustus John lived here between 1927 and 1961.

Close by is Fordingbridge Riverside Park with children's play area, secluded memorial gardens, parks and sports playing fields. There are also opportunities for day fishing at the Recreation Ground (tickets can be purchased from the Riverside Kiosk).

Within the town there are several places to eat including a selection of pubs. Shoppers can expect a range of local food shops, a gift shop and a couple of garden centres. Cream teas and freshly-ground flour are on offer at nearby Alderholt Mill.

For keen walkers, The Avon Valley Path, a long-distance walking route from Salisbury to Christchurch, passes through Fordingbridge. This is a great way of exploring some of the town’s nearby countryside and take in some of the sweeping views across the River Avon.

The open heathlands of the New Forest are just a short distance away from Fordingbridge. Nearby Godshill is a popular spot for a walk for both locals and visitors alike.

Cycling is another popular activity in the Fordingbridge area. Sandy Balls Holiday Village and Hockey’s Farm Shop (both within a short distance of Fordingbridge) offer bike hire and can suggest some cycling routes for you depending on your ability.

See if you can negotiate your way around the inflatable obstacles at the New Forest Water Park. Other options also include paddle boarding, kayaking, wake boarding and water-skiing. There is also a clubhouse overlooking the lake for those who prefer something slightly more sedate!

Insight Activities offers woodland activities at Featherdown Farm, near Fordingbridge. Archery, rifle crossbows, axe throwing, archery combat tag, bushcraft skills and giant catapults make up some of the activities you can get involved with here.

The Romans made their impact on the local area and a fascinating place to visit is Rockbourne Roman Villa, just four miles from Fordingbridge. History buffs will also enjoy a visit to the Elizabethan Manor of Breamore House with its Countryside Museum. Completed in 1593, the house today looks much the same as to the original owners. A footpath from Breamore House leads you to a walk to the Breamore Mizmaze, a labyrinth where all paths eventually lead to the little mound in the centre.

To the south of Fordingbridge, Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve makes an interesting stop for nature lovers. These former gravel pits are now a haven for wildfowl, dragonflies and other wildlife.

Events in Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge Museum holds temporary exhibitions, talks and other history events.

Nearby Breamore House holds a variety of car shows on certain weekends over the summer months as well as the popular Countryside Museum Working Weekend.

Explore some of the countryside on a gentle stroll with Walking Picnics. Each walk takes in some of the special nature of the New Forest, followed by a tasty picnic.

For families, Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve offers a variety of events during the school holidays including nature walks. For adults, there is also a range of workshops available including photography courses.

To find out more about events taking place in and around Fordingbridge keep an eye on our what’s on pages.

Places to stay in and around Fordingbridge

There are several places to stay on the outskirts and nearby to Fordingbridge including a handful of self-catering holiday cottages, a couple of B&Bs and a holiday village.

West Park Farm has four stunning character barn conversions set within working family farm to the northwest of the town. Further south is Alderholt Mill, a picturesque working water mill and self-catering cottage and B&B.

To the east of Fordingbridge at the small village of Godshill there are a handful of self-catering properties including Croft Cottage The Lodge, Wayside and Graylands Cottage and Croft Cottage B&B. Godshill is also home to the famous Sandy Balls Holiday Village which comes with pool, bar, gym and spa. Touring pitches for tents and caravans, plus glamping pods are also available here.

Take a look at our accommodation pages to enquire about availability for your Fordingbridge-based break today.

Getting to Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge is easily accessible from Salisbury and Bournemouth via the A338.

The nearest railway station to Fordingbridge is at Salisbury, 11 miles north of the town.

Regular buses like Fordingbridge from Salisbury, Bournemouth, Verwood and Ferndown.

The New Forest Tour Bus, passes through the town. The red route connects Fordingbridge with Godshill, Lyndhurst, Burley and Ringwood. It is also possible to connect to other areas of the New Forest via the tour bus by switching to the green route at Lyndhurst.

Highlights

West Park Farm

4 stunning character barn conversions set within working family farm. Furnished and equipped to...

Wayside

This 4 star gold award self catering accommodation with its own private outdoor spaces sleeps four....

Graylands Cottage

Quietly situated Forester's cottage, part modernised with original features including log fire....

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Sausage Making Demonstrations & 'New Forest Foods' Menu

Fordingbridge

An event to celebrate New Forest Food & Drink Week.
Hockey`s Farm Shop & Farmyard Cafe - come and watch sausages being made in a traditional way and then enjoy a 'New Forest Foods' Menu in our cafe. This week will focus on Pannage Pork; pigs...

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827 reviews
Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Fordingbridge, The New Forest

Surrounded by the outstanding natural beauty of the New Forest National Park, Sandy Balls combines an enviable location with an excellent choice of facilities. The perfect getaway for families, couples or groups of friends in this wonderful, unique...
Special Offers
- As part of the "A Year in the New Forest" Channel 4 series our top 3 Holiday Parks, including Sandy Balls, are all offering 10% off stays taken in 2018, so why not book your break today and take advantage of this great discount. Click here to find out how to take up this great offer.
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Hockey's Farm Shop

Fordingbridge

All of the meat sold at the farm is either our own, or produced by Andrew, our family friend in St. Ives, just outside Ringwood, or simply sourced with the utmost care. Excellent animal husbandry, British, and free from horrible chemicals, processes...

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9 reviews
Wayside

Fordingbridge

This 4 star gold award self catering accommodation with its own private outdoor spaces sleeps four. It is quietly located on the edge of The New Forest adjacent to Sandy Balls Holiday Centre for which a family swimming pass is included.
Special Offers
- Take the little ones to PEPPA PIG WORLD - 20 mins up the road, see our Facebook page. Next availability W/C 26th OCTOBER at £580 - RATES INCLUDE UTILITIES, LINEN, FAMILY SWIMMING PASS TO SANDY BALLS LEISURE CENTRE, WIFI, SKY TV WITH SPORTS, CAR PARKING CLOCK for local areas. FOUR STAR GOLD ACCOMMODATION.Tel. 01425 654892 / 07751933051, email- info@yournewforestholiday.co.uk
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- Short Breaks Available from November to the week before Easter
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Alison Cottage

Downton, Salisbury

Alison Cottage is a former farm building, linked to the main house, which has been recently refurbished to provide very comfortable single storey accommodation for two people. Price for 7 nights is £325.

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West Park Farm

Fordingbridge

4 stunning character barn conversions set within working family farm. Furnished and equipped to high standard. Idyllic location for exploring or just relaxing!

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New Forest Water Park

Fordingbridge

Learn to waterski or wakeboard. Experience the inflatable banana and tyre rides. The South's 1st WakeBoard Cable System.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
41 reviews
Hucklesbrook Farm New Forest Holiday Cottages

Fordingbridge

Hucklesbrook Farm New Forest Holiday Cottages are in the delightful New Forest Hamlet of South Gorley, Near Fordingbridge.
Special Offers
- November 2018 availability please deduct £50 for a couple and please ask for prices on short breaks.
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Graylands Cottage

Fordingbridge

Quietly situated Forester's cottage, part modernised with original features including log fire. Magnificient views over New Forest including deer and many species of birds. Walking, fishing, riding, golf nearby. WiFi. 70% of guests rebook.
Special Offers
- Graylands Cottage short breaks are available during the following weeks:
  2 November 2018
  9 November 2018
  16 November 2018
  3 night breaks available for £428 (with extra nights charged at £40)
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- Graylands Cottage short breaks are available during the following weeks:
  23 November 2018
  30 November 2018
  7 December 2018
  14 December 2018
  3 night breaks available for £383 (with extra nights charged at £35)
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- Graylands cottage is ideally suited for families and dog owners, but if there’s just two of you don’t fear - we offer a 10% discount.
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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
534 reviews
Stag and Hen Do Activities in the New Forest

Fordingbridge

Medieval Madness - Stag and Hen do activities in the New Forest with Insight Activities

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534 reviews
Insight Activities - Archery New Forest

Fordingbridge

Insight Activities run authentic woodland activities from a gorgeous private woodland in the New Forest - We specialise in Archery, Rifle Crossbows, Axe Throwing and Archery Combat Tag. Everybody welcome....pre-booking essential.
We are a small...

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Lake Farm

Fordingbridge

Lake Farm offers all year round New Forest holidays in one of eight luxury self catering log cabins, situated in a delightful 60 acre rural setting and only a short stroll away from our 3 acre lake.

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Croft Cottage

Fordingbridge

Pretty listed 16th Century thatched cottage in two acres of gardens/paddock. One ground floor en-suite bedroom (sleeps 3) with own entrance and garden. We are a few minutes walk from the open forest and the facilities of Sandy Balls Estate.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
80 reviews
Burgate Manor Farm

Fordingbridge

Farm cottages and large galleried beamed barn in Avon Valley. Patios/BBQ & garden Furniture.
Cross water meadows into forest. Pub/restaurant short walk. Large games barn. Stables/grazing. Fishing. Beach 30 minutes.

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Godshill and Castle Hill

Fordingbridge

This walk takes you along quiet field and woodland paths to the site of an Iron Age hill fort. It then continues to a stream-side hamlet on the edge of Castle Hill. There are views across the beautiful Avon Valley with its wildlife-rich water...

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The Woodside Inn

Fordingbridge, The New Forest

Newly refurbished, The Woodside Inn at Sandy Balls Holiday Village boasts a great choice of pub grub with a gourmet twist.

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Hale and Woodgreen

Woodfalls

The route starts at Woodfalls and follows a section of the Avon Valley Path through fields and woods to the charming village of Hatchet Green. You then pass Hale House and St Mary's Church before walking alongside the peaceful River Avon. At...

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Croft Cottage The Lodge

Fordingbridge

The beautiful well equipped Lodge is situated in the 2 acre grounds of Croft Cottage B&B, which has been described as "a children's paradise". Just a few minutes walk from the open forest and the facilities of Sandy Balls Holiday Village.

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Alderholt Mill

Fordingbridge

Picturesque working water mill surrounded by a riverside garden where wildlife abounds. Bread made with our own freshly milled stone ground flour.. Private fishing on site horse riding nearby wonderful walks all around. Unwind in this peaceful...

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Sandy Balls loop

Fordingbridge

Do enjoy the extensive network of off-road routes, but keep to the waymarked tracks and other designated routes

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