The New Forest Heritage Centre is an essential part of your visit to the Forest. Set in the heart of the National Park in Lyndhurst, you'll find a fascinating Museum, Gift Shop, Reference Library, Exhibition Gallery and friendly staff to answer all your questions about the New Forest and how to best enjoy it.
The Museum is packed full of information and fun activities. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales and step back in time into our traditional Cob Cottage. Don't miss our new Family Fun Tree in the heart of the Museum. You can learn how to detect animals in our Poo Corner game, listen to the sounds of wild and commoner owned animals, marvel at gigantic creepy crawlies and indulge in some good old fashioned bark rubbing. You can even share your thoughts with us on what the Forest means to you by adding to our paper leaf mulch!
Upstairs in our unique reference library, we have the largest collection of printed material on the Forest on public access. Whether you're a student, researcher or family historian you'll be sure to find something here to fascinate you.
If you've only got a few minutes to spend, then pop into The New Forest Gallery where there's an ever changing programme of exhibitions related to the Forest. You'll also find our annual programme of events and activities on the website.
New for 2021! Our brand new cafe opens on 17th May. This relaxed café offers a wide range of tea, fresh ground coffee, light lunches, treats and more. All our products are locally sourced. There is seating both inside and outside, operating both table service and takeaway and gluten free and vegan options are available. Dogs are always welcome, and we even sell ice creams for them!
Once you've seen the Museum, visited our well stocked shop and enjoyed a snack in our cafe, you won't be able to wait to get out into the Forest and when you've experienced it for yourself you'll want to know more about it. The New Forest Heritage Centre is the perfect way to start and finish your visit to the New Forest National Park.
Admission to the New Forest Heritage Centre is free (although donations are appreciated).
Open New Year |
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Daily (12 Apr 2021 - 31 Dec 2022) |
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* Summer
Monday 29 March 2021 to Sunday 31 October 2021
10.00am - 5.00pm
Winter
Monday 1 November 2021 to Sunday 28 March 2022
10.00am - 4.00pm
Closed Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 December 2021
Last entry into the museum and gallery is 30 minutes before closing
Library opening times (from 17th May 2021)
Wednesdays 10.00am – 4.00pm
Fridays 10.00am – 12.30pm
However, to ensure social distancing and welfare, we are introducing a booking system and limiting the number of customers in the library to a maximum of 3 at any one time.
To book, please email library@newforestheritage.org.uk or call 023 8028 6150 and we will get back to you to co-ordinate. We will need to know when you would like to visit and roughly how long you think your visit will take.
You are still able to turn up without booking, but clearly priority will be given to those who have booked in advance.
Outside of these times, the library can be accessed by appointment with seven days’ notice.
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