Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lyndhurst, Hampshire

A base for outings and walks in the New Forest, the village of Lyndhurst hosts the national park’s Heritage Centre and the Forestry Commission.

As the largest expanse of common land in the UK, the New Forest features limited fencing along its roads.

This allows the renowned ponies of the park to roam freely, and you may find them at the village’s outskirts or even strolling through its streets, enjoying a status akin to revered animals.

Accompanying the pristine beauty of the national park, Lyndhurst offers cultural richness at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, home to frescoes and stained glass windows by Pre-Raphaelite artists such as Lord Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, and William Morris.

1. New Forest

The largest contiguous area of uncultivated vegetation in the UK, the New Forest spans 566 square kilometers, providing a habitat for numerous mammals and birds that are infrequently observed in the UK. Common grazing rights have been upheld at the New Forest for over a millennium, dating back to the period before William the Conqueror designated it as a Royal Forest for hunting.

These regulations are still enforced today by officials known as verderers.

One of the New Forest’s enduring characteristics is its expansive openness, facilitated by the many grazing animals that help maintain the undergrowth and mitigate invasive plant growth.

Thousands of indigenous New Forest ponies, which are owned by the forest’s commoners, traverse the area in semi-feral conditions, accompanied by herds of resilient cattle such as Galloways and Highlands.

Prior to the establishment of new protections in 1877, the New Forest’s tree population had notably declined during the 1700s and 1800s due to timber sourcing for the Royal Navy.

2. New Forest Heritage Centre

Before venturing into the national park, you may wish to familiarize yourself with its history, traditions, and wildlife at this complimentary museum in the heart of Lyndhurst.

You can explore a traditional cob cottage furnished with vintage tools, engage in bark rubbing, identify animals by their calls or droppings at Poo Corner, or observe some giant insects native to the forest.

Information regarding historical timber cultivation practices and the New Forest’s role as a venue for royal hunts is available.

The New Forest Gallery hosts regularly updated art exhibitions focused on the landscape, while the reference library on the upper floor boasts the largest collection of publicly accessible printed materials on the New Forest.

3. New Forest Wildlife Park

Most of the animals at this attraction located in the neighboring village of Ashurst are, or were historically, indigenous to the UK. In addition to otters, badgers, and 15 species of owls, visitors can encounter ferrets, Scottish wildcats, and deer, along with European grey wolves, European bison, lynxes, and wild boars.

The New Forest Wildlife Park actively engages in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects, particularly focused on otters, but also supporting foxes, deer, and owls. Moreover, it takes part in breeding programs for species such as water voles, wildcats, and harvest mice.

During the summer, the tropical butterfly house is especially noteworthy, with frequent feeding sessions and keeper talks occurring every half an hour.

4. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

The New Forest historically served as a hunting ground for royalty and continues to host substantial herds of deer.

However, these animals usually avoid the walking trails, making it unlikely to observe them in their natural habitat.

A visit to Bolderwood presents the opportunity to view them more closely.

As in other areas of the park, the fallow deer in this expansive meadow have the freedom to wander as they wish.

Between April and September, a Forestry Commission ranger provides feed for the deer, allowing them to become accustomed to human presence.

The feeding typically occurs between 12:30 and 14:30, and visitors can observe the process from a designated viewing platform.

The sanctuary features a picnic area set within a forest glade and presents a selection of walking trails.

5. St Michael and All Angels’ Church

Lyndhurst’s parish church, constructed between 1858 and 1868, is a Grade I listed property renowned for the contributions of several Pre-Raphaelite artists.

The captivating fresco on the reredos is by Lord Leighton, while the stained glass window at the east end was created by Edward Burne-Jones.

William Morris, a prominent artist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, produced some of his finest stained glass for the church’s south transept.

Additionally, the writer John Hungerford Pollen, who mingled with the Pre-Raphaelites, painted the fresco on the south wall.

The church features numerous architectural highlights, including patterned polychrome brickwork, column capitals with diverse foliage, sculpted heads in the nave’s spandrels, and the intricate tracery of the rood screen.

6. Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park

Paultons Park, located ten minutes away in Ower, is a family-friendly amusement park that has operated since 1983 on the site of the former estate.

Spanning 140 acres, the park features over 70 rides and attractions, including five roller coasters and six water rides, primarily designed for younger audiences.

However, rides such as Flight of Pterosaur and The Edge also appeal to teenagers.

In 2011, Peppa Pig World became one of Paultons Park’s four themed areas, alongside the main park, the Lost Kingdom, and Critter Creek.

If you have a toddler or young child enamored with this cartoon, a visit here is essential.

Peppa Pig World includes several gentle rides based on the show, such as Daddy Pig’s Car Ride, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, George’s Dinosaur Adventure, and new attractions like Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, which involves a water excursion in small boats.

7. New Forest Reptile Centre

Similar to the park’s deer, the variety of reptiles and amphibians in the New Forest is generally hidden from view.

However, you can observe them up close at this attraction near Lyndhurst.

In large outdoor enclosures, visitors can view lizards, frogs, toads, and snakes, including adders, the only venomous snake in the country.

The goshawk nests and bird feeders surrounding the centre are equipped with cameras, allowing live footage to be viewed at “pods” within the facility.

There are numerous activities for aspiring zoologists during “Wild Wednesdays” in school holidays, featuring trails, reptile quizzes, and bird-related activities.

8. Longdown Activity Farm

A visit to this children’s farm offers a variety of activities, including bottle-feeding young goats and calves, feeding adult animals like ducks and goats, and enjoying tractor and trailer rides.

Many approachable animals await, including alpacas, donkeys, cows, ponies, Kunekune pigs, rabbits, and chicks housed in a designated “chick shed.” Besides animal encounters, young visitors can engage in crazy golf and enjoy indoor and outdoor play spaces, such as a straw bale area and trampoline barn.

Longdown Activity Farm also hosts seasonal activities, including egg hunts during Easter and a Christmas Barn in December.

The farm shop offers fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, sausages, honey, and homemade condiments sourced from local suppliers.

9. Furzey Gardens

Spanning ten tranquil acres within the New Forest, Furzey Gardens was established in an informal style in 1922 and encompasses a delightful thatched woodland cottage constructed in the 1500s.

The gardens are designed to ensure year-round interest, showcasing blooming heather in autumn and winter, alongside crocuses, daffodils, and bluebells in spring, as well as vibrant herbaceous borders during summer.

In 2012, a group of gardeners with learning difficulties designed a garden for Furzey at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, earning a gold award.

This garden has since been recreated on-site, where visitors can also explore the cottage, which features ceiling beams and floorboards repurposed from warships.

Children can have fun searching for over 40 fairy doors nestled within the garden, while the tearoom offers a delightful selection of cakes and signature cream teas.

10. Queen’s House

During Edward I’s military campaigns in Wales in the 13th century, his queen, Eleanor of Castile, resided in Lyndhurst, which led to the establishment of the grand house located at the top of High Street.

The Queen’s House was reconstructed in the 16th century, while its current design dates back to the reigns of Charles I and Charles II in the subsequent century.

This structure is believed to be the sole example of purely Carolean architecture in all of Hampshire.

Both kings spent time here while hunting from Lyndhurst, as did James II and George III in 1789. The last royal family member to reside at the Queen’s House was Adolphus, son of George III, who inhabited the location from 1827 to 1849. The house, adorned with four triangular gables, includes an 18th-century Verderer’s Court (designated for officials managing common land in former royal forests) and currently serves as the headquarters for the Forestry Commission.

11. Bolton’s Bench

This yew-covered hillock at the east end of Lyndhurst’s High Street connects the New Forest with the village.

At the summit, benches provide an opportunity to admire views of the village, framed by the distant Georgian mansion, Northerwood House.

Alternatively, one can gaze eastward and contemplate the iconic New Forest scenery, characterized by untamed heathland, dense woodland, sandy hills, and grazing ponies, donkeys, and cattle.

During summer, cricket matches are frequently held just down the slope, presenting a unique sight with animals meandering along the boundaries.

12. Knightwood Oak

Often referred to as the “Queen of the Forest,” the Knightwood Oak is the largest and most renowned tree within the national park.

This 500-year-old pedunculate oak is situated a few miles southwest of Lyndhurst.

The Knightwood Oak is enclosed by a wooden fence designed to protect its roots, and an information board narrates its history.

After centuries of pollarding to harvest timber while allowing the tree to thrive, the oak continues to grow, boasting a girth of nearly 7.5 meters.

The site is conveniently located just off the A35, with a car park and well-maintained path leading to the tree, accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

13. Beaulieu National Motor Museum

The village of Beaulieu has a rich heritage, serving as the residence of a branch of the Montagu family for nearly 500 years, tracing its origins back to a Cistercian abbey established in the 13th century.

The Montagus constructed their mansion on the site of the abbey’s gatehouse.

Fast forward to the early 20th century, John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu (1866-1929), emerged as a pioneer in motoring, amassing an impressive collection of vehicles.

In 1952, his son Edward founded a museum in honor of his father, which has since evolved into one of the nation’s premier motoring collections.

With nearly 300 vehicles on display, the collection includes everything from Formula One racing cars to British land speed record holders and historic cars like the Daimler 12 and 22 hps and a Mercedes 60 hp.

The Luxury of Motoring exhibition highlights some of the most extravagant vehicles ever conceived, complemented by a stunning collection of 28 glass ornaments crafted by the renowned René Lalique.

14. Walks

To enjoy the protected landscapes surrounding Lyndhurst, all you need to do is start walking.

There are ten designated paths around the village, four of which lead to local pubs where you can savor a drink or a cozy meal.

After visiting Bolton’s Bench, you might feel inclined to explore the countryside ahead, allowing you to stroll towards the Beaulieu River along the heathland of White Moor.

To experience some of the New Forest’s ancient woodlands, venture west of the village, passing through the hamlets of Emery Down and Swan Green, to track the bubbling stream known as Highland Water.

15. Lyndhurst High Street

All of Lyndhurst’s attractions and landmarks are located on or adjacent to the High Street, which descends from west to east.

As a well-to-do village that attracts many visitors, the High Street offers a wide array of captivating independent shops showcasing crafts, interior design, jewelry, fashion, and antiques.

Additionally, there are a variety of pubs, cafes, restaurants (offering cuisines such as fish and chips, French, Indian, Italian, and Chinese), tea rooms, ice cream parlors, and essential amenities typically found in a rural village, including butchers and bakeries.

To emphasize the affluence of the area, a Maserati dealership is located at the foot of the hill.

The New Forest is widely recognized as one of the premier cycling destinations in the UK, thanks to its extensive common land and low traffic.

The Woods Cyclery, located at the bottom of the hill, provides a selection of road bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes for hire.