A visitor's guide to Fordingbridge, New Forest

A visitor's guide to Fordingbridge, New Forest

Fordingbridge is a former market town with stone buildings and cobbled streets ideally located upon the River Avon and on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Often referred to as the Northern Gateway to the Forest' it is a beautiful town with great architecture and many places of interest. In fact there are over 70 listed buildings in the small town alone. The name Fordingbridge is derived from Forde' and Bridge' and a settlement was recorded here in the Doomsday Book (1086).

The Fordingbridge Museum houses artefacts found locally and recounts tales from smugglers who used the River Avon to bring forth illicit goods. Captain Jack Diamond, a notorious tea smuggler, was captured in Fordingbridge and subsequently executed in Winchester. The Avon was the source of industry for the town and the New Forest provided timber to fuel development and growth.

Today, Fordingbridge is a popular tourist destination agreeably positioned on the edge of the national park, close to Salisbury and not too far from the beaches of Bournemouth. The national park is excellent for trails and horse riding whilst the River Avon is world-renowned for angling and several links golf courses are located nearby. The closest train station is Salisbury.

The New Forest comprises 65,000 acres of unenclosed woods and heath where commoners still exercise their grazing rights for livestock granted at the time of William the Conqueror. Ponies, horses, donkeys and pigs can be found roaming throughout the forest. A number of species of deer are also present in the forest including Muntjac, Roe, Red and Sika deer. There are several viewing platforms at Bolderwood, however, deer can be found throughout the forest. Hatchet Pond, near Beaulieu provides a haven for many types of birds and a permit for angling can be purchased from the National Park.

There are many places to stay in Fordingbridge. La Fosse at Cranborne offers a homely Restaurant with Rooms in the countryside and is on the doorstep to the forest. Many other bed and breakfast establishments offer comfortable rooms and a hearty English' breakfast. If you prefer self catering there are cottages to sleep all sizes of parties. And, just outside of town, Sandy Balls Holiday Park proffers a range of accommodation from chalets and caravans to bring your own tent.

POST COMMENT

A visitor's guide to Fordingbridge, New Forest The Four Biggest Challenges Facing New Grads (Part II) The Solar Powered Calculator Was Just The Beginning Generate & use cheap, green electricity from sunlight through Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels How to not break Your Lcd while moving to new home Bee Pollen Health Benefits - How to Have More Energy Without Drinking Caffeine or Energy Drinks Why Is Conserving Energy Important? The New Revolution: Entertainment Mobile Applications Track Lighting: Enhancing The Beauty Of Your Life Best Ideas To Get Ready For The New Child The Facebook Era: Establishing A New Relationship With Your Customers South Shore Skin Center & Spa Dermatologists Weigh in on New Melanoma Drug Tips to Save Energy for Homeowners