Town and Village Walks

Visitors to The New Forest have the choice of walks to enjoy in pretty villages in the heart of the forest or bustling seaside towns.

You can also explore the delights of Beaulieu and enjoy a walk along one England’s few privately around rivers. Count how many donkeys and cows you can find strolling through the side streets and lanes around Brockenhurst. Learn about the history of witchcraft and cider making in Burley. Discover the 'capital' of the New Forest, Lyndhurst with the grave of the original Alice in Wonderland or soak up the sun on a seaside walk at Milford-on-Sea, Lymington or Barton-on-sea.

So why not take a walk through some of our towns and villages and discover the special charms of the wonderful New Forest.

Here are a selection of town and village walks for you whilst visiting the New Forest:

Lyndhurst
 

Discover Lyndhurst's rich heritage, as you stroll through the village. Make time for a stop in at The New Forest Centre where you can learn about our history and get some top tips for exploring the National Park. From the top end of the High Street, the spire of St. Michael’s & All Angels church is clearly visible. Here lies the grave of Alice Liddell, a local girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The church sits opposite the quintessentially English, wooden-beamed Crown Manor Hotel, another famous Lyndhurst landmark and the perfect resting place for a spot of lunch.

If you fancy walking further then why not take the longer 8.5 mile Lyndhurst Parish walk which encompasses its surrounding hamlets and countryside. The circular walk passes several pubs along the way so you can stop for refreshments or a bite to eat. You will also get to walk through some of the forest’s inclosures - home to a variety of the New Forest wildlife.

Lymington Town Trail
 

This is just a short 2 mile walk, but it is packed full of local history and gorgeous views. Along the way, take a trip into St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, where you can find out some interesting facts about this lovely town, and the rest of the New Forest. Head down the bustling high street, where there are plenty of shops to fulfill your shopping needs and also lots of quiant cafes, perfect for a warming cuppa or a refreshing milkshake! You'll end up at the beautiful quay, where you'll see moored up yachts, coastal views and the sea water baths.

Brockenhurst Village Walk

Explore one of the wondeful villages that lays in the heart of the New Forest. Brockenhurst is a buzzing village, surrounded by some of the most fantastic forest landscapes. Follow the route through the famous watersplash, across grazed lawn where you'll find our free-roaming ponies and through riverside woodlands. Take the walk around the edge of Brockehurst, where you might see even more wildlife and gorgeous heathland views, soon returning back in the village centre.

Burley Village Walk
 

The mysterious village of Burley is a great place to explore while you're in the New Forest. There are many interesting stories about witches (especially Sybil Leek) and dragons living in Burley, it's also famous for smuggling! On this walk you'll see some of the village's history for yourself, when you pass by an Iron Age Hill Fort ! This circular walk is just over 4.2 miles long, taking you through some magical woodland and across wonderful heathland, you'll take a gentle uphill walk up Castle Hill, where you'll see some wonderful views across the Avon Valley. In Burley you'll find great pubs, cafes and shop, including some incredible homemade fudge!

Food trails
 

Combine your walk with one of our Food Trails. This is a great way to not only enjoy some exercise whilst visiting some of our lovely towns and villages but also gives you the opportunity to sample some of our local fare. The Burley Food Trail focusses on the village of Burley, famous for witchcraft (plus the super tasty Burley fudge!) and the Beaulieu Food Trail encompasses some of the tasty stops that you will find around this picturesque village including the Beaulieu Chocolate Studio. This walks can also be extended to enjoy not only the Beaulieu National Motor Museum but historic Buckler’s Hard as well.

Enjoy your own town or village walk
 

If you would rather do your own thing then why not pick up some suggested walking routes from The New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst? Or, buy the local Ordnance Survey map (Explorer OL22) for the New Forest and plan your own walk using the wide range of footpaths and trail ways which weave their way in and around our national park.

You can enjoy your own routes around our various towns and villages plus you don’t always need a car to get here. There are regular trains which stop at Brockenhurst from London, Bournemouth and Southampton, plus a branch line at Lymington. This makes a great way for you to stop at various points of interest for a walk before resting those weary legs. So why not explore some of these towns and villages for yourself?

The New Forest National Park Authority provides a large selection of recommended walks within the National Park which include walks through some of the park’s lesser-known villages such as the Hale and Woodgreen, Copythorne and Cadnam Common and Landford and Hamptworth walking routes. Look out as well for the annual New Forest Walking Festival, organised by the National Park Authority, which takes place each October. Here, you will find a wide range of walks, many of which take in our smaller villages and areas of the New Forest towns that you might not be familiar with, a fantastic way to explore the forest with likeminded people!

If you are staying in the area then why not ask your accommodation host for their recommended local walks too? Many of our B&B, hotel and self-catering properties welcome walkers and have suggested route maps which you can borrow for the duration of your stay. Just ask at the time of booking or on arrival at your chosen property.

Save lots of money on your trip to the New Forest
 

Whilst walking in The New Forest, don't forget to take your Go New Forest Card! With over 380 offers you are bound to save some money on a visit here. You will find savings off accommodation, things to do, eating out and shopping here in the New Forest.