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 Parish Walk

Discover Lyndhurst's rich heritage, as you stroll through the village. Make time for a stop in at New Forest Heritage 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.

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!

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 New Forest Heritage 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?

We have an additional a large selection of recommended walks within the National Park, including 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 & Cycling 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.

Town & village walking routes to follow...

Ringwood Town Trail

Ringwood Town Trail

This Town Trail around Ringwood’s old town centre, designated a Conservation area, has been compiled by The Ringwood Society.  We hope that this walk has encouraged you to take a closer look at Ringwood and to discover for yourself the attractions of our historic…

View of Fordingbridge bridge from recreation park

Fordingbridge Town Walk

Distance: 2 miles (3.3 km) Start: Ringwood Road Fordingbridge Car Park, Ringwood Road, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AN what3words///parkway.slanting.loafing Explore the wonderful riverside town of Fordingbridge! Wander along the River Avon, enjoy local gardens and…

Boats moored up at Hythe Marina in the New Forest

Hythe Town Walk

Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) Start: Hythe Ferry, Prospect Place, Hythe, SO45 6AU what3words///drill.hugs.dinner Explore the brilliant town of Hythe! Stroll along the high street, enjoy view across the water, visit local parks and grasslands and walk…

Minstead village green looking at The Trusty Servant Inn in the New Forest

Minstead Village Walk

Distance: 2 miles (3.3 km) Start: Minstead Village Green, SO43 7FY what3words///directors.piglet.commenced Explore the quaint village of Minstead on this lovely, short walk. Start at the Village Green, visit Furzey Gardens and pass All Saints Church, which is were…

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit - Trail

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)         Start: Fawley town square bus stop Grid SZ 458 032 Postcode SO45 1EA. what3words ///mountains.poppy.perfected This walk is great for families with young children, starting from Fawley town centre and following a…

Ashurst Stroll Image

Ashurst Stroll

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) Start: Ashurst New Forest railway station or bus stop; Grid SU334 101, Postcode  SO40 7AA. what3words ///choirs.haircuts.pictured   From Ashurst railway station this short and easy walk explores a variety of landscapes that…

Hatchet Pond - Chapel Stores Walk

Chapel Stores Walk

Distance: 3.6 miles (6 km) Start: Chapel Lane, East Boldre, Brockenhurst SO42 7WP what3words ///voltages.during.games A level, 3.6 mile loop starting at Chapel Stores – a non-profit community shop selling drinks, snacks and ice cream. Alternatively join this…

Beaulieu River - Water blog July 2023

Beaulieu to Buckler's Hard Walk

Distance: 2 Miles Start: Starting point : Beaulieu Village Centre what3words ///cheetahs.swerving.mammoth One of the most popular routes for families is from beautiful Beaulieu to the historic Buckler’s Hard as the route follows a two mile footpath along fields and…

Carters Lane

Carters Lane

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Twiggs Lane, Marchwood, SO40 4UN. what3words ///treat.fields.scope This trail, one of our shortest Historic Routes, takes you through woodland and open farmland. There are some muddy patches, stiles and the odd fallen tree. The trail…

Copythorne and Cadnam Common

Copythorne and Cadnam Common

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km) Start: Pollards Moor Road bus stop, Copythorne Grid ref. SU 303145, Post code SO40 2NZ what3words ///pink.confronts.songbook This walk starts by passing St Mary's Church before winding through Copythorne Common and its interesting mix of…

Lyndhurst Parish Walk

Lyndhurst Parish Walk

8.5 Miles Discover the beauty of the parish, start from the thriving village centre, out to Bolton’s Bench and on into the tranquillity beyond. This walk roughly follows the whole outside parish boundary, using the forest as a natural tour guide. On this route you can…

Milford on Sea - Hordle Road West Beach Huts

Hordle Cliffs

2 Miles Milford on Sea is on the New Forest boundary 4 miles south west of Lymington on the B3058. An excellent walk starting on a sealed surface of fine gravel embedded in tarmac, with wonderful views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Then following the more rural…

Lymington Marshes

Lymington Marshes Trail

Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km)         Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars Walk along the Quayside for river views followed by the coastal marshes of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. This is one…

Lymington Town Trail

Lymington Town Trail

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)         Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars A shorter walk packed full of local history. Visit St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, the modern day…

Brockenhurst Village Walk

Brockenhurst Village Walk

Distance: 5 miles (8.1 km)    Start: Brockenhurst railway station Grid ref. SU 301 019  Post code SO42 7TW. what3words ///fulfilled.gladiator.corkscrew Brockenhurst is a picturesque village in the heart of the New Forest surrounded by some of the…

Buckland Rings Trail

Buckland Rings Trail

Distance: 6.8 miles (10.9 km)  Start: Brockenhurst Railway Station, SO42 7TW what3words ///fulfilled.gladiator.corkscrew From the village of Brockenhurst this walk passes through Roydon Woods nature reserve over Setley Plain and onto Buckland Rings,  the site…

Burley Village Walk

Burley Village Walk

Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)  Start: Burley Village Bus stop Grid ref. SU 221 031 Postcode BH24 4AB. what3words ///reporting.zealous.cooked This walk starts at the village centre before setting out on a circular walk around the edge of the village. There is a…

Barton on Sea - Seafront and beach huts

New Milton & Barton on Sea Walk

Explore New Milton and Barton on Sea on this long but exciting walk from the main town into the seafront village. On this walk, you'll wander a wonderful high street full of shops and cafes, through recreation grounds, alongside wonderful roads lined with trees and onto the…

Milford on Sea Loop

Milford on Sea Loop

5 miles (if following Spit all the way to Hurst Castle) Starting point : Sea Road Car Park, Milford on Sea what3words ///lamppost.happy.officer For some fresh sea air, try this spectacular coastal walk along Hurst Spit, leading to Hurst Castle. The walk also passes through the…

Lymington Sea Air Trail

Sea Air Trail

5.5 Miles Lymington Marina and the Yacht Clubs. what3words ///chucks.storeroom.gravest This route takes you from Lymington Sea Water Baths, along The Solent Way/Sea Wall and into Keyhaven. Along the way, you will enjoy lots of stunning sights across the coast and glimpses of…

Tatchbury Mount

Tatchbury Mount Walk

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) Start: Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lane, Totton, SO40 8FT what3words ///conjured.valued.twigs This trail starts at Hanger Farm Arts Centre, a restored Grade II listed timber framed barn, and heads up and around the Iron Age hillfort of…

Walhampton Monument Trail

Walhampton Monument Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km)         Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars Visit the monument to Admiral Sir Harry Burrard-Neale (1765-1835), a prominent Naval officer and former MP for…

Boldre Village Walk

Boldre Village Walk

Distance: 4.3 miles (6.9 km)      Start: Outside the Red Lion pub, Boldre. Grid ref. SZ 988 314 Postcode SO41 8NE. what3words ///sinkhole.dates.goat Beginning in the pretty village of Boldre, this is a peaceful and varied walk through country lanes…

Brook to Minstead Village Walk

Brook to Minstead Village Walk

Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) Start: Green Dragon pub and Bell Inn, Brook. Grid ref. SU 273 141 Post code SO43 7HE. what3words ///reframe.sweetener.buzzards Visit the Rufus Stone to discover the mystery surrounding the death of King William II. The route then follows…

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