Places To Visit
Here are some places to visit in the New Forest and Solent Area there is lots to enjoy, with something for everyone!
Bucklers Hard
Situated in the New Forest near Beaulieu is the Maritime Museum and a 18th Century Village at Bucklers Hard, where ships for for the Royal Navy and also ships for Nelsons fleet were built.
Buckler’s Hard
Beaulieu Estate
Hampshire
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO42 7XB
Telephone: 01590 616203
Calshot Activities Centre
Activities include Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing, Powerboating, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Track Cycling, Skiing and Snowboarding..
Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire.
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO45 1BR
Telephone: 02380 892077
Calshot Castle
An artillery fort, built by Henry VIII to defend the sea passage to Southampton, was recently used as a Navy and RAF base.
It is run by English Heritage.
Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire.
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO45 1BR
Telephone: 02380 892023
Christchurch Priory
It is the longest parish church in the country also it is larger than 21 English Anglican Cathedrals, and is over 900 years old.
Set on the southern most edge of Christchurch in Dorset, near where the River Avon and the River Stour flow into Christchurch Harbour.
Quay Rd, Christchurch.
Postcode for Sat Nav: BH23 1BU.
Telephone: 01202 485804
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
Exbury Gardens are a amazing 200 acre (100 hectare) site situated in the New Forest, and are world-famous for the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. There is also the fantastic live steam Exbury Gardens Railway which follows a one and a quarter mile circular route through the gardens on a 12 ¼” gauge track, and is a totally wonderful experience.
Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire.
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO45 1AZ
Telephone: 02380 891203
Furzey Gardens
Set in the heart of the New Forest at Minstead in Hampshire, this delightful informal garden was established in 1922 and is renowned for its all year round beauty.
School Lane, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO43 7GL
Telephone: 02380 812464
Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe Castle a Grade 1 listed building and is a popular tourist attraction there are Tearooms open daily for refreshments, and it is one of the most popular wedding venues in Dorset and Hampshire it is conveniently located on the Hampshire and Dorset border. Built between 1831 and 1836 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay, a distinguished diplomat who had known and loved the cliff-top site overlooking the beach and Christchurch Bay since he was a boy.
Rothesay Drive,
Highcliffe,
Dorset.
Postcode for Sat Nav: BH23 4LE
Telephone: 01425 278807
Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses, its position allowed it to defend the western approach to the Solent. and was completed in 1544.
Hurst Castle is on the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford-On-Sea. The end of the spit is only three-quarters of a mile from the Isle of Wight, and the views from the top of the centre keep are spectacular.
As it is suituated on the end of a long shingle spit which can be a long walk, some people prefer to use the ferry service between Keyhaven and Hurst castle.
The Friends of Hurst Castle jointly manage the site with English Heritage,
By boat – from Keyhaven
There is a regular ferry service from Keyhaven to Hurst Castle, please check ferry services and opening times on the website, as these do vary through the year.
Hurst Castle Ferry.
Car Park For The Ferry At Keyhaven:
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO41 0TR.
Hurst Castle Telephone: 01590 642344
It is not possible to reach Hurst Castle by car as it is situated at the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford-On-Sea, driving and parking around the bridge at the end of the spit is tricky during busy times as it is a lane which narrows to a single lane in places.
A short walk along the beach from spit is the Car park on the sea front at Milford-On-Sea, there is a nice cafe there with wonderful views out to sea and they sell ice creams.
Hurst Road
Milford on Sea
Lymington
Hampshire
Car Park On The Seafront At Milford On Sea
There is a popular Café here, where you can get a bite to eat and a cup of Tea, and it is particularly popular during the Summer as you can buy Ice Creams here.
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO41 0PY
Further along the beach towards New Milton there are more beach car parks.
Lepe Country Park
Lepe is a historic coastal Country Park in the New Forest National Park. With excellent views across to the Isle of Wight.
The park is popular for walking, swimming, fishing, windsurfing and bird or boat watching.
There is ample parking and a children’s play area, with various picnic areas, barbecues for hire, toilets, and a café.
Telephone: 02380 899108
Café open all year, weekends only in winter Telephone:023 8089 3681.
Barbecue hire – Call the the park office for availability Telephone: 023 8089 9108.
Lepe Country Park, Lepe, Exbury, Hampshire
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO45 1AD
Libertys Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre
(Formerly The New Forest Owl Sanctuary)
Crow Lane, Ringwood, Hants.
Sat Nav Postcode: BH24 3EA
Telephone: 01425 476487
Manor Farm Country Park
Lots of friendly farmyard animals and colourful costumed characters at a interactive historical farm. Have a go at milking a cow, feeding chickens perhaps holding a newborn rabbit or bottle feed a baby lamb. Step back in time at the Victorian classroom and lend a helping hand with cooking and washing in the farmhouse. Explore the farmyard, and blacksmiths forge, visit the 13th century church to discover what life was like over a 100 years ago.
Pylands Lane,
Bursledon,
Southampton,
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO31 1BH
Telephone: 01489 787055
Marwell Wildlife
Marwell Wildlife previously known as Marwell Zoological Park, is a 140-acre zoo located in Hampshire and is a charity dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity.
Thompson’s Ln,
Colden Common,
Winchester,
Hampshire
Sat Nav Postcode: SO21 1JH.
Telephone: 01962 777407
National Motor Museum
The world renowned National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, with Palace House.
This is a fantastic place with lots too see including numerous James Bond related exhibits from the 007 films, and it is also very well known for the Auto jumble events for Classic car enthusiasts.
There is a Mono rail which travels around the site, and goes in and out of the Museum which is great fun.
Postcode for Sat Nav: SO42 7ZN
Telephone: (General Enquiries) 01590 612345
New Forest Wildlife Park
It covers twenty-five scenic acres of ancient woodland with a wonderful range of wildlife – in natural surroundings. There are 3 species Eurasian, Asian Short Claw and North American River otter; European wolf, 12 species of owls, badgers, foxes and deer. Other mammals are polecats, mink, pine martens and also the Scottish wildcat, lynx, wallaby and wild boar.
Deer leap Lane,
Longdown, Near Ashurst,
Southampton.
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO40 4UH
Telephone: 02380 292408
Paultons Park
A Family Theme Park on the edge of the New Forest with many rides and attractions, which includes Meerkat Manor with African Meerkats and also Peppa Pig World.
Ower,
Romsey,
Hampshire
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO51 6AL
Telephone: 023 8081 4442
Rockbourne Roman Villa
The Villa is near Fordingbridge which in a picturesque and peaceful part of Hampshire close to the edge of the New Forest.
The Roman villa once stood in the centre of a large farming estate, and is the largest known villa in the area.
Its history spans the period from the Iron Age to the 5th century AD.
Rockbourne, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SP6 3PG
Telephone: 0845 603 5635
Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum
One of the worlds largest Motorcycle Museums, created by Sammy Miller.
For Motorcycle Fans if you are interested in Motorbikes this should be on your list of places to visit, there are many examples of Exotic Racing Machines.
The museum is well worth a visit, also on site is the Bashley Manor Tearooms and there is also a children’s play area.
Bashley Cross Roads,
New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5SZ.
Telephone: 01425 616644
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
A fantastic collection of over 42,000 plants from temperate regions around the world planted in a variety of Amazing themed landscapes set over 180 acres. Open all year round, with a restaurant and Summer Tea Rooms.
Jermyns Lane,
Ampfield,
Romsey,
Hampshire.
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO51 0QA
Telephone: 01794 369318
St. Barbe Museum & Art Gallery
St. Barbe Museum explores the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast.
New Street, Lymington, Hampshire.
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO41 9BH
Telephone: 01590 676969
Solent Sky Museum
The History of Aviation in the Solent Area includes the Schneider Trophy which led to the development of the Spitfire.
Albert Road South, Southampton, Hampshire.
Postcode to use for satellite navigation is: SO14 3FR.
Telephone: 02380 635830
Oceanarium
Have an underwater adventure with nine spectacular recreated environments of the world, and come face to face with hundreds of Amazing Animals.
See Colourful Clown fish and Tiny Terrapins, as well as Scary Sharks and Piranha.
Pier Approach, West Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset, England.
Postcode to use for Satellite Navigation is: BH2 5AA.
Telephone: 01202 311 993
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