When discussing the UK’s many charming villages, many of which are just a short journey away from London, there are a few reliable tidbits of trivia that crop up. People (ourselves at Secret London included) will wax lyrical about cobbled streets, historic buildings, and cosy pubs. But Brockenhurst, over in the New Forest district of Hampshire, has another trick up its sleeve.
The village, which dates back over 4,000 years to the Bronze Age, is situated within the New Forest National Park. This is Europe’s largest surviving area of ancient pasture woodland. The park itself spans an impressive 556 square kilometres, within which is 300 square kilometres of land that has been designated ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’. To this day, the park is an important habitat for rare birds and mammals.
In real-world terms, that means that wildlife and nature co-exist alongside the village. Within and around the village and the national park, you’ll find acres of unspoilt ancient woodland and miles of walking and bike trails. This, in turn, means that wild ponies, deer, and herds of cows regularly wander through the village.
All this, less than an hour’s journey away from London! And the village has even more to offer, even outside the presence of wildlife.
What to do in Brockenhurst
As the village with the largest population in the New Forest, there is plenty to do and explore in Brockenhurst. Trails in the area treat walkers and cyclists to tours of the area. You can even wander along the South Taste Trail, a 7-mile route that takes in a variety of pubs and tea rooms.
The village is home to a variety of independent shops, tucked away in charming buildings. And you can also find the oldest church in the New Forest in Brockenhurst: the Church of St Nicholas. In fact, it’s the only remaining church in the area that is mentioned in the Doomesday Book.
If you’re looking to do some animal-spotting, head to the village’s ‘Watersplash’, the meeting point of two of the area’s streams. You’ll often find animals drinking from the watering hole, such as the New Forest ponies.
There are some great pubs here, as well as restaurants, boutique stores, and quaint tea rooms. There are also excellent accommodation options that range from campsites to B&Bs and self-catering spots. So whether you’re after a taste of the countryside or still need your creature comforts, you’re sorted when you visit Brockenhurst.
Getting to Brockenhurst
Those taking public transport can get to Brockenhurst in 1.5 hours by train from the city. It takes about the same amount of time to get there if you’re driving.
