When you’re not out and about walking, cycling, riding and sightseeing, you may well fancy a spot of retail therapy in Brockenhurst. The good news is there’s plenty of it – and one of the key attractions is Brookley Road, the Village High Street. It’s changed little over the past 100 years and boasts a range of independent local stores including a baker, butcher, greengrocer, ironmonger, chemist and Post Office. There’s also a gift shop or two, a sweet shop – and a great bike shop to boot.
Here’s a whistle stop tour of what to see (and buy) when you’re out and about in Brockenhurst:
Whether it’s a memento for yourself or a thank-you gift for the neighbour who’s been feeding Tiddles, gift shops will be on your radar. Brockenhurst has a fair few worth a visit, including Card and Candys, a lovely family-run business with a great range of pick and mix sweets, handmade chocolates, cards and gifts. If you’re looking for some railwayana or vintage pieces, then stop off at Attic Station, which has a fantastic collection of railwayana, including railway clocks, signaling equipment, signage, railway posters and much more. If candles, jewellery and toys (soft and wooden) is more of what you’re looking for, then Pot Pourri on Brookley Road is where you want to head. You’re bound to find something that does the job there.
Cycling looms big in the New Forest, so it’s no surprise that there are a few cracking bike shops in the area. Brockenhurst is no exception – Boost Bike Hub (also on Brookely Road) is a wonderful independent (its sister store, Cyclexperience, is nearby) stocking a wide range of two-wheelers – whether that’s an electric bike to a day-to-day hybrid, stocking plenty of great brands like Trek and Frog.
We’re assuming you’ve brought some clothes with you on your New Forest stay (!), but if you fancy something special for a night out, or just need a spare pair of socks or forgot to pack a belt, don’t panic.
Head to nearby Lyndhurst and you’ll find the likes of Stanwells for designer clothing, footwear and accessories for women, or, for men, pay a visit to Osbornes; this High Street emporium is full of classic and traditional gentlemen’s clothes and accessories. They’ve been there since 1932, so they clearly know their stuff.
If you want men’s and women’s clothes all under one roof, then Sofikas is the place for you; clothes, footwear, jewellery and accessories from some great brands, it’s a good starting point for any Lyndhurst shopping spree.
Best of all, of course, is returning back to your hotel for a cold drink and well-earned rest from all that retail therapy – and to try on your new purchases, of course.
Man cannot live on bread alone – we all need the odd slice of cake and sweet treat. The good news is that whether it’s some store cupboard staples or a foodie gift you’re looking for, Brockenhurst is well stocked.
If it’s cakes, pastries, breads or sandwiches and baguettes for lunch you’re looking for, the Bakehouse is heaven on Earth. Freshly baked breads, beef and pork from the local butcher for the pasties and sausage rolls made every day, and salads from the local greengrocer for the sandwiches, it’s what every bakery should be like.
If you need a butcher or greengrocer, they’re easy to find in Brockenhurst – just look for the family-run Village Veg and Village Butcher. Simpy, eh? For everything else, head for Welcome Stores Brockenhurst and you’ll be good to go.
It’s always lovely to bring back a piece of local art or crafts from a holiday; New Forest Collective is an Aladdin’s cave of work from local talented artists and craftspeople, including ceramics, jewellery, crafts, paintings and photography; head further afield, and Beaulieu Fine Arts is a charming independent gallery with five rooms of affordable contemporary art – from original paintings to beautiful prints.
We all love bringing home some local produce from our holidays – whether that’s wine, jam, pickles or fudge. Setley Ridge Vineyard, near to Brockenhurst, is well worth a visit – whether it’s for a tour of the vineyards, wine tasting or simply to stock up on a few bottles. Everything is done on site by this family-run business, who always have one eye on the environment. If it is a wide range of produce you’re after, head for Beaulieu Organic Farm Shop – from its renowned Beaulieu Estate venison, to fresh fruit and vegetables, this family run shop is a one-stop wonder for meat, dairy, bakery – even produce from the Isle of Wight.
If you dig gardens (in every sense), then you’ll dig Brockenhurst – there are plenty of great garden centres in the area to please even the most green-fingered enthusiast.
Setley Ridge Garden Centre is a traditional, family-run business that’s been running for over three decades, packed with plants, accessories, local produce – oh, and there are free wine tastings every day. If you can’t find everything there, head down the road to Brockhill Nurseries or Redcliffe Garden Centre in Bashley Village – take a break in The Potting Shed tearooms, peruse the petunias in the garden centre, or examine the agricultural antiques in the Vintage Garden. It’s a day out in itself!
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