Hotels in The New Forest, Hampshire

Attraction Details

The New Forest was created in 1079 by William I (known as William the Conqueror) as a hunting area, principally of deer. It is a unique area of historical, ecological and agricultural significance, and retains many of the rural practices conceded by the Crown in medieval times to local people. Principal of these is the pasturing of ponies, cattle, pigs and donkeys in the open Forest by local inhabitants known as Commoners. The New Forest has also been an important source of timber for the Crown. It is an outstanding recreational area for walking and riding.

Picturesque villages, bustling market towns and a special atmosphere and timelessness. Of course you will want to enjoy the woodland walks but there is something for everyone in the Forest. Award winning gardens, museums and historic houses, as well as Alice In Wonderland Family Park, Longdown Activity Farm, and The New Forest Otter & Wildlife Park.

If you are feeling energetic, the forest is a haven for the cyclist, horserider and walker. Villages and towns have a wide range of shopping on offer from large stores to independent boutiques and specialist retail.

Fordingbridge

The town of Fordingbridge was originally known as "Forde" and the "bridge" element of the name was not added until the Avon was first spanned at this point. The Great Bridge, of seven arches, was in existence in 1286 A.D. and possibly earlier.

Lymington

The town of Lymington, or "Lentune" as it was called in the Domesday Book, lies on the West side of the Solent and is nowadays a thriving yachting centre and tourist attraction.

Lyndhurst

The "Capital of the New Forest" means "the lime wood". Among its treasures are the Queen's House and the Verderer's Court; the parish church with its fresco by Lord Leighton and fine stained glass windows; the little church at Emery Down; the charming almshouses, and the Girl Guide headquarters at Foxlease. The "old Park" of Lyndhurst is where the Parkhill Hotel now stands, the new park being on the A337 Brockenhurst road.

Ringwood

The eleventh century name of Ringwood was "Rincevede" which seems to have meant a ford or "wade" (vede) over a river or watercourse (rine). The modern spelling of the name has suggested to many people the idea of a place ringed by trees, and either meaning is valid, since the River Avon is still much in evidence, though bridged, and the growing population has pushed the encircling trees further from the centre of the town.

Romsey

Situated eleven miles South West of Winchester. Area 493 hectares, with a population of nearly 13,000. Romsey developed where the routes between Southampton, Salisbury and Winchester cross the Test, the lowest point at which the river can be conveniently bridged. Here in A.D. 907 Benedictine nuns established a community and the massive Norman Abbey still dominating the town stands on the remains of their Saxon church. Romsey has been granted two Charters, one in 1607 by James I and another in 1698 by William III.