Forming part of the New Forest, Brockenhurst is a picturesque village near England’s south coast. It has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age, with several burial mounds dotting the area. During World War II, it served as a secret training area for troops preparing for battle in Normandy.
Directly west of Brockenhurst is the Whitefield Moor, a spectacular tract of heathland traversed by walking trails. Follow the circular route that takes you over the Ober Water before continuing to the Blackwater Arboretum to see some of England’s oldest Douglas firs.
A short drive east from Brockenhurst will take you to Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum, where you’ll find around 250 vintage vehicles dating back to the late 19th century. After getting up close to James Bond vehicles and Mr. Bean’s lime green Mini, you can explore the 13th-century remains of the adjacent Beaulieu Abbey Church Hall.
Getting there
Brockenhurst is around 30 minutes’ drive from Bournemouth and around the same distance from Southampton Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect to the Brockenhurst railway station from towns and cities across Hampshire while the centre of Brockenhurst can easily be explored on foot.