Brockenhurst, New Forest (without a car)

I love horses so the New Forest is one of my favorite train trips from London, and I've been several times. If you don't have a car, Brockenhurst is definitely the gateway to the New Forest (a collection of villages in which ponies and donkeys roam wild.) Scroll down to find out whether you should make Brockenhurst your base for exploring the New Forest, take the train to another village instead, or skip the New Forest entirely!

The 1st time I went to Brockenhurst was over a decade ago, and the most recent time was in October. (It cost about £18 for the return tickets but note train ticket prices can vary widely. For the best UK train travel tips and how to save money traveling UK by train, click here.)

As the train slips out of London Waterloo, the grey urban sprawl gradually softens into the patchwork green of Hampshire and you pass through rolling fields, misty woodlands, and the occasional glimpse of a wandering pony.

Brockenhurst railway station is a tiny station with not many facilities. There is a taxi rank outside but you can also pre-book a cab just in case. Note that different taxi companies charge vastly different prices: the company recommended to me by The Pig charged me £10 for the (very short) journey from the station to The Pig, whilst a different driver only charged £5.

Brockenhurst village is small so very walkable. 

Word of warning: the word "village" may be a bit of a stretch: Brockhenhurst is TINY and you won't find clothing shops or supermarkets in the heart of it- you'll definitely feel like you've left the city! (There is a convenience store and ATM.)

However, there are a few restaurants, pubs, and cycle hire shops within easy walking distance, so you can have a peaceful and quiet countryside escape yet with everything you need

Explore the New Forest National Park

This is the main attraction of Brockenhurst:  The park is right on your doorstep, with ancient woodlands and heathlands crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails.

As you walk around, you're very likely to spot free-roaming ponies and donkeys.

From Brockenhurst, you can take a direct train to Lymington (highly recommended!) and other New Forest towns. Lymington is a lovely place to explore but, if you get bored, you can even take a ferry from it to the Isle of Wight!

During some parts of the year, there is also the New Forest explorer bus, which makes getting around the New Forest without a car a breeze.

If you find yourself in need of more shops and people, you can always take a direct train to Winchester.

Visit Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary 

This is a wonderful spot to see herds of fallow deer from a dedicated viewing platform.  There are also several easy, well-marked walking trails suitable for different abilities.

Note: it is not within walking distance from Brockenhurst.

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

For a unique day out, the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum houses an incredible collection of about 500 beautifully restored motorcycles, almost all of which are in full working order. 

Note: this is also not within walking distance from Brockenhurst.

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

Another museum for motor enthusiasts. (There's not much to do in Beaulieu besides this.)

It's pretty expensive - £30 for an adult ticket (or £27 for an advance adult) so I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a real car lover.

Enjoy Local Produce 

Take a tour and enjoy a wine tasting at the Setley Ridge Vineyard (21 minute walk from Brockenhrust train station) or sample some excellent local brews at The Pig Beer Brewery.

Where to Stay

For such a small village, Brockenhurst sure has a fantastic range of accommodations to suit different tastes and budgets:

After a fantastic stay at The Pig at Bridge, we decided to check out The Pig at New Forest (it's the original Pig, after all- click through for a full review.)

In short, The Pig at Brockenhurst was nice but I wasn't as impressed with it as I was with the one at Bridge.

Bed and Breakfasts

Unlike The Pig which is not really within walking distance of Brockenhurst train station (about 20-30 minutes on foot), there are several B&Bs and self-serviced apartments in Brockenhurst village itself.

I stayed at one such on my very first visit.

Daisybank Cottage Boutique

The Daisybank was recently renovated, dog friendly, some rooms with a sauna

The CLOUD Brockenhurst B&B

Facilities: Recently refurbished, modern style, (with attentive host and 

gluten-free options)

This is 1 of the hotels that is closer to town- there is a clear pedestrian path i.e. not a country lane to the hotel which makes it much easier if you don't have a car.

You can also a take a bus to the Careys Manor hotel. (Motorists can drive quite recklessly in the English countryside so I'm always very careful about walking on country lanes.)

The staff are very friendly and, if the car is free, the Careys Manor hotel. ( might even pick you up from the train station! It's a self-contained stay, as there is a spa and more than 1 restaurant on site.

The Balmer Lawn hotel has extensive leisure facilities, indoor/outdoor pools, a jacuzzi, sauna and spa.

It's located a bit further out than Careys Manor although also along the same pedestrian path (and with a bus from Brockenhurst village.)

Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn

A lovely country hotel with an in-house restaurant, the Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn is down the road from St Anne's Church.

Rhinefield House Hotel

Rhinefield House has a spa, fitness centre, outdoor/indoor pools, free parking etc

New Park Manor Hotel

New Park Manor Hotel is housed in King Charles II's old hunting lodge. It has a spa and wellness centre, an award-winning restaurant, swimming pools and free on-site parking.

It's only 5 miles from Lymington, but not within easy walking distance of Brockenhurst train station.

The restaurant at The Pig is pretty good- definitely better than the one at Boys Hall in Ashford- but my Mom got a bit tired of the food after dining there for 3 meals in a row.

(b) The Foresters Arms - Pub

The outside of the pub is very cute but the inside is like any old English pub.

(c) The Huntman – Pub with rooms

I ate at this Thai restaurant on my 1st trip. It was not bad, but if you're used to the standard of Asian food in London, you might be a bit disappointed (especially since it's not cheap.)

It's located next to the convenience store/ ATM machine and across from the Snakecatcher pub.

(e) The Paddle in the Forest Cafe

This cafe serves cakes and coffee. It's open daily, next to the bike rental, and just across the road from the train station.

This is a family-friendly, dog-friendly pub with a children's menu, just across the road from The Absent Pony.

Recommended For/ Not For

If you love nature, country walks, and especially horses, you CANNOT MISS the New Forest!

However, if you're looking for a beach, urban nightlife, shopping, and not a fan of nature or animals, Brockenthurst and the New Forest are not for you.

Getting There

Getting to this beautiful part of the world is surprisingly easy, making it perfect for a stress-free escape from London and it works as both a day trip and weekend trip from London.

Direct Train

It's a direct service from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, which takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

Once you step off the train, and you are right in the heart of the village.

Note: if you prefer to go by car, Brockenhurst is easily accessible via M27, then A337. Driving gives you the flexibility to explore more of the New Forest’s hidden corners at your own pace.  

Any questions about visiting Brockenhurst and the New forest? Let me know in the comments!