Lyndhurst Shops
- Discover
Considering its size, Lyndhurst has more than its fair share of history – which makes it a fantastic stopover point on any stay in the New Forest.
Don’t just take our word for it – the royals have been going there for hundreds of years, so it’s clearly doing something right. As well as its royal connections (kings and queens have been staying at the Royal Manor for centuries), Lyndhurst has plenty of other famous connections to interest visitors.
Head for the mid 19th century gothic parish church of St Michael and All Angels at the top of the High Street, and you’ll be rewarded with not only the beautiful pre-Raphaelite windows designed by William Morris, but also a stunning Lord Frederick Leighton fresco, said to be modelled on local people.
Book lovers will be interested to find that the church is also the resting place of Alice Pleasance Liddell, otherwise known as the little girl who was the inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Whether you’re staying at Bartley Lodge or Forest Lodge, you’ll have this charming village right on your doorstep and be at the centre of the New Forest. You’ll find Lyndhurst at the heart of the New Forest National Park, about nine miles south west of Southampton. The beautiful estuary town of Lymington is also just nine miles away.
With a population of just over 3,000, Lyndhurst is the largest village in the New Forest – but it still retains a cosy charm, despite being the area’s ‘capital’.
Probably the most important building in Lyndhurst is the Queen’s House, which has also in the past been called the King’s House – the name changes according to the gender of the monarch.
As well as its royal connections, Lyndhurst is notable in English folklore as the supposed location of the slaying of a dragon, whose den was at Burley Beacon. We can’t confirm or deny this… good luck with the dragon spotting.
Lyndhurst is a large village and civil parish located in the heart of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England. It is recognised as the administrative capital of the New Forest, with the district council based in the village.
The settlement of Lyndhurst dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Its name, translated as ‘Lime Wood’ in Old English, reflects its historic and enduring connection with the New Forest’s lush landscapes. A royal manor was established in Lyndhurst by William the Conqueror around 1070, soon after his conquest of England.
One of Lyndhurst’s major landmarks is the Church of St Michael and All Angels, which boasts an early 20th century stained glass window designed by the pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. Another iconic structure, the Foxlease estate, was bought in 1922 by the Girl Guides Association and served as their training and activity centre.
Queen’s House in the centre of Lyndhurst has historically been the residence of the Keeper of the New Forest. Since the 14th century, the verderers, who protect the New Forest’s unique agricultural practices, have held their court in Queen’s House.
Lyndhurst has had several notable residents, including Alice Hargreaves, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and the naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham.
Today, Lyndhurst is a vibrant village attracting visitors for its local boutiques, eateries, galleries, museums, and the rich biodiversity of the New Forest. It remains the administrative heart of the New Forest, reflecting its historic status within this special landscape.
There’s plenty of wonderful things to do in and around historic Lyndhurst, such as:New Forest National Park: Spend a day exploring this park filled with charming wildlife. Go hiking, cycling, horse riding or just relax and have a picnic.
Lyndhurst Museum: Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Lyndhurst by visiting this museum and learning even more about Lyndhurt’s history.
Visit St. Michael & All Angels Church: This beautiful church with its intricate architecture is definitely worth a visit.
Explore Bolton’s Bench: This is a picturesque green space perfect for a relaxing walk or a picnic with great views over Lyndhurst.
New Forest Reptile Centre: Here you can learn about and see up-close a number of different reptiles.
New Forest Heritage Centre: Learn about the unique landscape, wildlife and culture of the New Forest through its museum, gallery and reference library.
Shop at the Local Farmers Market: Experience the local produce at Lyndhurst’s weekly farmers market, with lots of food and other local crafts to explore.
Pony Trekking: The New Forest has semi-wild ponies roaming around, and a few places in Lyndhurst offer pony trekking experiences.
Go Antique Shopping: Lyndhurst has several antique shops that you can explore, each with its own unique finds.
If you’re visiting Lyndhurst – and we recommend you do – the good news is that the New Forest Collection is blessed with several great locations nearby – perfect for visiting the village and exploring the rest of the New Forest and beyond.
At the very heart of Lyndhurst is Forest Lodge – a boutique townhouse hotel with stunning Georgian architecture and urban-style interiors, while Bartley Lodge is a Grade II listed country house which dates back to the 18th century, sitting in eight acres of tranquil grounds near Lyndhurst.
They’re both perfect bases – comfy beds, great food and a relaxed atmosphere. All the ingredients you need after a busy day exploring the area.
Of course all this sightseeing, history trailing, cycling and walking is hungry work. You’ve got to eat, so you might as well make sure it’s good food – seasonal and locally sourced too.
As well as laid-back dining at Bartley Lodge and the fantastic food offering at Forest Lodge – think delicious steaks and brasserie classics – there’s also all the delights of The Drift pub and its award-winning restaurant – British pub favourites and a few other mouth-watering surprises. Alongside the ploughman’s and fish and chips, look out for a few left field delights like spiced buttermilk schnitzel burger (it’s also available as a salad) and crispy battered halloumi, chunky chips, paprika aioli, pickled slaw. Yes please!!
Ashurst, Barton-On-Sea, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Fordingbridge, Lymington, New Forest, New Milton, Ringwood, Milford-On-Sea, Minstead
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