Known as the northern gateway to the New Forest this little town on the River Avon is well worth a visit. Famed for its late medieval 7 arched bridge and its history of smuggling, Fordingbridge
Known as the northern gateway to the New Forest this little town on the River Avon is well worth a visit. Famed for its late medieval 7 arched bridge and its history of smuggling, Fordingbridge is on the New Forest tour bus route or can be accessed from surrounding areas by road – no train any longer unfortunately!
With a population of 6000 people Fordingbridge is no longer the busy industrial and commercial centre it one was, but boasts a number of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Its highlight is the bridge and beautiful park along the river with its play areas, sports field, and memorial garden. The children’s play area is very well equipped and laid out and my own children loved to visit it on holidays years ago – my daughter recently took her little girl there, but was sad to see the “highest slide ever “ has made way for more safety conscious options! The football club dates back nearly 150 years of continuous team playing.
Walking along the banks with sweeping willows and swans gliding by makes for a pleasant interlude. Fishing permits can be purchased too. Within the town notable buildings include the Norman church and the Odd Fellows Hall dating back to 1877, now housing the town council. The museum is open from Easter to October. The long-distance Avon Valley footpath passes through enroute from Salisbury to Christchurch.
By the bridge is a statue of artist Augustus John who lived here from 1927 to 1961 and Paul Kidby, renowned for his illustrations of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld lives here still.