New Forest Heritage Centre
Lyndhurst, New Forest
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0
A free museum run by an independent charity in the middle of Lyndhurst, telling the story of the New Forest, its people, traditions and ancient laws, and how its wildlife is looked after today. A highlight is the 7.5-metre New Forest Embroidery, made by Lady Belinda Montagu and 60 volunteers to show 900 years of the Forest's history.
Highlights
- New Forest Embroidery on the first floor
- Displays on Forest traditions, ancient laws and who owns the ponies
- War Graves of the New Forest exhibition until 29 November 2026
- Free trails and activity sheets for children
- Cafe and gift shop
Good to know
- Dogs are welcome in the museum, gallery, gift shop and cafe
- Children aged 13 and under must be with an adult aged 16 or over
- Groups of more than six should book ahead
- It is signposted as the visitor information centre on roads into Lyndhurst
Getting there
New Forest Heritage Centre, Main Car Park, off the High Street, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NYParking: Beside Lyndhurst's main council-run pay and display car park (RingGo 2579), with several disabled spaces next to the centre and bike racks on the side of the building.
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against newforestheritage.org.uk, newforestheritage.org.uk, newforestheritage.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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More things to do in Lyndhurst
Nearby
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0Furzey Gardens
A 12-acre woodland garden in the village of Minstead, with rare shrubs first gathered from places such as India, China and Tibet by early 20th-century plant hunters. It is run as a charity, with the gardens, nursery and thatched tea rooms cared for by gardeners with learning disabilities supported by Minstead Trust.
Longdown Activity Farm
A family-run working farm on the edge of the New Forest where a daily timetable of hands-on activities includes bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, duck feeding and sessions in the Animal Encounter Barn. Donkeys, horses, alpacas, Kunekune pigs and cows live on the farm, with indoor and outdoor play areas alongside.
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0Blackwater Arboretum and the Tall Trees Trail
A small arboretum of trees from around the world on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, cared for by Forestry England. A short sensory loop with tactile sculptures winds through the arboretum, and the Tall Trees Trail crosses the road to walk beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in Victorian times.