Right in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Brockenhurst is one of the largest of its villages and some say the most beautiful! It is unusual in that the wild ponies, donkeys, cows,
Right in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Brockenhurst is one of the largest of its villages and some say the most beautiful! It is unusual in that the wild ponies, donkeys, cows, and deer roam freely throughout the village – this often means slow traffic and plenty of manure underfoot – residents either have their own cattle grids or must keep gates firmly closed to avoid their gardens being eaten!
Inhabited since the Bronze age, Brockenhurst was just a collection of small farms until the coming of the railway line and station just over a century ago, since when it has grown into a hub for the forest. Mainline trains stop here and there are also good bus routes and cycle hire facilities. The New Forest Tour bus calls here and the cycle routes come through the village too.
The entrance to the village goes through the picturesque ford, called the Watersplash and the main street has a good range of eateries and independent shops, a couple of small supermarkets and the parish office.
In the first World War Brockenhurst was a key hospital centre and 3500 Indian, and 21000 New Zealand troops were cared for here. Before this there were just 8 working farms and employment for the villagers was also in timber, the railway and as servants to the big houses. Women often took in laundry or dressmaking work and most homes kept pigs, fowl, and other animals. The wartime hospital needed locals to work in them, provide food and fundraise. Children were let out of school regularly to collect sphagnum moss from the forest around as it was an excellent wound dressing. Morant hall became a convalescent unit. Balmer Lawn and the Forest Park Hotels became hospitals, and the Tile barn site was a camp – now an outdoor centre. In summer the riverbank near Balmer Lawn is busy with paddling children and picknickers – known locally as “Brockenhurst beach” and cricket matches are held on the front lawn.
A Commonwealth War Graves site is located near the 100-year-old St Nicholas Church (this has been a site of worship since pagan times) and a good circular walk will enable you to explore the village and this site. The largest church St Saviours is worth a visit and Brockenhurst also has a good community centre and sports facilities. Setting off from the railway station is popular on foot and bikes and there are also many shady lanes to get lost in and wide-open spaces leading straight onto the forest.