Connect with the great outdoors and make your dream home in the New Forest. The national park has a wealth of housing styles, from large country house estates and coastal homes to townhouses and traditional thatched cottages. The Forest is renowned for walking, riding and cycling and with over 40 miles of coastline it’s the gateway to fantastic sailing and water sports.
Great places to live in the New Forest and surrounding areas
The New Forest National Park covers about 220 square miles on the south coast of England. This beautiful and bountiful area made up of ancient woodlands, open wild heathlands and stunning coastline has a range of inviting towns and villages, with an abundance of activities and amenities on offer.
Lymington: Georgian market town and famous yachting centre
Lymington’s sheltered position on the western bank of the beautiful Lymington river has made it an important settlement since the Iron Age. For centuries an important harbour for boatbuilders, fishermen, saltworks and even smugglers, today Lymington is internationally famous for yachting.
Unsurprisingly Lymington has been voted by the Sunday Times as one of the “Best UK Coastal Towns in Which to Live“. The town has nice boutiques, cosy cafés, a range of fantastic pubs and restaurants. There are two marinas, three chandlers and numerous sailing-related businesses including excellent sailmaker. A historic charter market takes place every Saturday and the lifeguarded open-air natural swimming pool opens from Easter to autumn. The Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, an SSSI with over 500 acres of lagoons, reed beds and salt marshes makes a fun location for walking and cycling as well as sailing.
Combined with accessible road and rail links north to London, west to Bournemouth and east to Southampton and beyond, as well as the car ferry service to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, the town combines practicality with pleasure; the perfect work-life balance. There are many excellent schools and a wealth of local sports, clubs and leisure activities.
Beaulieu: historic and “chocolate box” pretty village
Dating back to medieval times, the romantic village of Beaulieu is situated on the southern bank of the Beaulieu River and has been listed by The Telegraph as one of the most desirable places in the country.
In the charming High Street where ponies and donkeys roam free, you’ll find artisan boutiques, cafés and restaurants – plus an excellent garden centre with an inspirational learning garden by Patrick Fairweather, who won RHS Plant of the Year 2023 at Chelsea Flower Show. The historic heart of the New Forest, Beaulieu has a welcoming vibe with year-round events and activities, many centred around the Montagu family’s Palace House and national motor museum. Apparently Rod Stewart met Maggie May in Beaulieu village some years ago whilst attending the old Beaulieu Jazz Festival!
The private Dock Lane follows the meandering river and is known locally as the “Sandbanks of the New Forest” where luxurious residences have spectacular views and river pontoons.
Between Beaulieu and Lymington you’ll find delightful forest hamlets including East Boldre, East End, St Leonards Grange, Boldre and Pilley. Here the coastline is mostly privately owned; there’s a profusion of exceptional properties offering seclusion yet suitably close to Lymington, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu.
Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst is the largest village and beating heart of the New Forest, named by The Telegraph as one of England’s most “beautiful” villages. There are good amenities in the village where ponies and donkeys amble freely, including fabulous bakery, butcher, grocer and florist. The the mainline train station with regular services makes it a popular choice for commuters to London. There is a wide range of housing in the village itself, with larger plots including some with paddocks and equestrian facilities on the outskirts of Brockenhurst including Sandy Down.
For a small village there are some excellent eateries! Brockenhurst houses numerous excellent restaurants, pubs and hotels including The Pig and the iconic Balmer Lawn, Rhinefield House and Careys Manor hotels, all of whom have top restaurants with 2 AA rosettes.
Numerous events and activities take place in Brockenhurst during the year, including Brockfest at Brockenhurst football ground and the New Forest and Hampshire County Show at New Park. Chill out at the renowned SenSpa at Careys Manor or at Herb House at Lime Wood near Lyndhurst.
In conclusion
Without doubt, this tranquil haven is one of the most stunning natural areas in the UK, and houses for sale in the New Forest embrace their woodland surroundings, making a truly unique setting in which to live.
If you enjoyed this guide to buying a luxury residence in the New Forest, take a look at our other guidance on our News page.