The Forest Lodge Hotel is located in the village of Lyndhurst. Lyndhurst is the largest village within the New Forest, and as such this bustling cultural centre is often referred to as the "Capital of the New Forest" offering many cafes, bars, shops and lovely restaurants. Although the village is popular with tourists, this doesn't take away from the village of Lyndhurst's charm which is blessed with pretty thatched roof cottages and 19th century architecture.
C J Phillips wrote in the 1876 edition of the 'New Forest Handbook':
"I purposely advise visitors, whatever the time at their disposal, to make Lyndhurst the centre of their movements, by reason alike of its accessibility and of its proximity to some of the most charming scenes in the Forest."
which still holds true today...
History of Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst's recorded history began in 980. By this time it was a royal manor for Abbey of Amesbury in Wiltshire. The area was designated "New Forest", or "Nova Foresta", in 1075 by King William I to serve as the protected habitat for game prey. The expanse of "New Forest" covers the whole area between the river Avon on the west, Wiltshire to the north, and to the south and east the Test, Southampton Water and the Solent.
The New Forest Museum is located in Lyndhurst and is popular with tourists wanting to identify more about the history of the Village and the Forest.
One of the most obvious examples of 19th century architecture in the village is Lyndhurst Parish Church -St Michael & All Angels. Its gothic interior is light and airy with the entire back wall filled with colourful mosaic pictures whose detailed artistry can encapsulate an onlooker for hours. The Parish Church graveyard is also popular with visitors as it holds the resting place of Alice Liddell, who inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the gravestone reads 'Mrs Reginald Hargreaves' which was Alice's married name.
