Visitors can expect a right royal welcome to the delightful New Forest village of Lyndhurst. This buzzing village in the heart of the New Forest offers wonderful days out wandering the long high street for some shopping, exploring and relaxing in the nearby open forest and enjoying delicious food and drink in local pubs and cafes, watching the world go by day and night.
Known as the capital of the New Forest since William the Conqueror established it as a royal hunting ground in 1079. Lyndhurst has been visited by kings and queens staying at the Royal Manor throughout the centuries. Today, Lyndhurst remains the administrative heart of the New Forest.
Situated at the top of the High Street, sits the impressive gothic parish church of St Michael and All Angels. The church was built in the mid-nineteenth century, although evidence suggests churches were previously found on this site. Within the church you can find some beautiful pre-Raphaelite windows designed by William Morris and a fresco by Lord Frederick Leighton which is said to be modelled on local people.
In the graveyard of St Michael and All Angels’ Church can be found the grave of one of the New Forest’s famous residents, Alice Pleasance Liddell. Alice was the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass’. Alice’s connection with the New Forest began in 1880 after she married wealthy Reginald Hargreaves, who had inherited the Cuffnells country estate, near the village.
Close by to the church, you will find Kings House (formally Queens House), which remains the property of the Crown. Today, Kings House provides offices for Forestry England and is home to the Verderers Hall, where the Verderers meet monthly.
Things to do in Lyndhurst
There is loads of fun things to do in Lyndhurst and there's no better starting point for visitors than the centrally located New Forest Heritage Centre, which gives a unique guide into the forest's history and heritage. Engage with the interactive exhibits, come and see the changing exhibitions within the gallery space and learn about commoners’ rights and how they are upheld here in the New Forest. The New Forest Heritage Centre is also the location of the Christopher Tower Reference Library, a great place for anyone wishing to do research on the New Forest.
A popular spot for locals and visitors is Bolton’s Bench. Located just beyond the lower end of the High Street, this elevated spot offers fantastic views of the landscape. You may even have to share the green space with a New Forest pony or two!
If you enjoy walking then follow Lyndhurst Parish Walk, a 8.5 mile circular walk taking in the wider parish around Lyndhurst including Emery Down and Gritnam. Details of this walk can be viewed as an interactive map on our website and downloaded to Google Maps, or you can find copies of it at the New Forest Heritage Centre.
There are ample cycling opportunities nearby with the popular Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst route, taking you through Forestry England enclosures. For a long ride, pick up the Lyndhurst to Burley route, which is a 25 mile cycle route.
Bike hire is also available from The Woods Cyclery and AA Bike Hire. The Woods Cyclery are on-hand to offer advice on routes and the best bikes for the route you are planning to take. They also offer services and bike fixes, or take a look around their shop, and stop by for a coffee and cake in Woods Bikes and Brews.
Along the High Street, you will find a variety of independent shops. From boutique clothes shops, homeware and gifts, to a camping shop, Leisure Fayre, and as charity and antiques shops. Lyndhurst High Street is also home to brilliant bakeries and a local butchers shop. You will also find some local convenience stores offering you fresh produce, perfect for guests staying in self-catering accommodation or camping in the area.
A couple of miles west of the village, just off the A35, you will find the Forestry England’s New Forest Reptile Centre. Here, visitors get the chance to see Britain’s native reptile and amphibians, including the country’s only venomous species of snake, the adder. The centre also has information on how reptiles and amphibians are being preserved in the New Forest.
To the north of the village lies the New Forest Golf Club which is open to visitors as well as members. You may even see the New Forest ponies roaming the greens!
Events in Lyndhurst
Look out for a variety of events coming up at the New Forest Heritage Centre in the heart of Lyndhurst. Events include New Forest Discovery Days, changing exhibitions, talks and book signings. The Yew Tree also hold fantastic regular events!
Lyndhurst hold some brilliant events throughout the year, including a community picnic every summer, a football match with ex-saints players, bonfire night and a Christmas lights switch-on. Plus, with so many pubs in the village, they make for a great place to get involved in some events.
Details of other events taking place in and around Lyndhurst can be discovered on our what’s on pages.
Places to stay in Lyndhurst
As a central hub in the New Forest, there is understandably a lot of places to stay available to the visitor.
Lime Wood offers laid-back 5 star luxury just on the outskirts of Lyndhurst. The hotel comes complete with a spa which is also open to day visitors. Other hotels include the centrally located Crown Manor House Hotel and the wonderful Forest Lodge Hotel. For traditional country inns then both The New Forest Inn and The Trusty Servant Inn fit the bill.
You will find a selection of family run B&Bs and Guest Houses in and around Lyndhurst, many ideally situated for exploring the open forest.
Keep the flexibility by booking into a self-catering property. Most properties offer WiFi and off-road parking, helping you bring your home comforts to the New Forest.
Use the search box on this page to find your ideal accommodation based on dates, accommodation type and facilities that you require.
Where to eat and drink in the New Forest
If you fancy something to eat then you will find cosy tea rooms, old world pubs, cafes, fine dining restaurants, buzzing bars and even an ice cream parlour - a wealth of places to eat ready to be discovered here in Lyndhurst! Just outside of the main high street are 2 wonderful country pubs, which both serve amazing pub classics and local drinks, The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn.
Many of our places to eat offer local produce and don’t forget to look out for the New Forest Marque.
Getting to Lyndhurst
The New Forest is connected by major roads and Lyndhurst is just a short drive from Southampton.
