Within seconds of stepping off the train at Brockenhurst station you are strolling down village roads. In minutes you can be home. All feels calm and quiet. That is a rather special and privileged experience: being delivered direct from the hustle of a lively city (such as London or Southampton) into the tranquil heart of the New Forest National Park.
This picturesque village, surrounded by heathland and woodland, is surprisingly well connected. Trains to and from Southampton Central take only 15 minutes (or less), and about an hour and a half into London Waterloo. This makes Brockenhurst a very desirable destination for those who hanker after a rural escape, but need accessibility to cities and airports. Even the road network (the M27) is within reach.
Brockenhurst is delightful – a village straight out of a children’s storybook. The old-fashioned high street includes baker, butcher, chippy, greengrocer, hardware store and tearoom. Cars and cyclists navigate the Watersplash, a ford at one end of Brookley Road (aka the high street), while ponies and donkeys graze on the commons and even wander unconcerned among the shoppers.
There is a sense of community. The local village primary school, appreciated by parents for its family atmosphere, is ‘good’ according to Ofsted, while Brockenhurst College (sixth form and higher education) is judged ‘outstanding’. Priestlands at nearby Lymington provides secondary level education and is consistently ‘good’.
As for dream homes - take your pick from traditional cottages and hunting lodges, big country houses, equestrian estates, Victorian villas and modern family homes. Does it all sound too good to be true? The drawback is that all this charm, community and convenience comes at a price. You need deep pockets as the demand for the romance of life in the Forest with the ease of a mainline station is strong.
Brockenhurst is ideal for those who enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle as it is well positioned for walkers, cyclists, runners and horse riders to explore the New Forest’s 235km of footpaths. There are bike shops in the village and stables locally for hikes out into the Forest. Other sporting facilities include Brockenhurst Football Club, with a senior team and youth programme, and Brockenhurst Manor Golf Club with an 18-hole course. For families the New Forest offers the simple pleasures of an old-fashioned childhood spent den building, tree climbing, paddling in clear waters at ‘Brock Beach’, and discovering the wonders of wildlife.
Watersports activities on the coast are easily accessible. There’s a branch line service to Lymington, well known as a sailing resort, and Lymington Pier, which connects to the ferry terminal for services to the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile those who like their leisure time to be more restful can be cosseted at one of the luxurious spas found in local country house hotels, such as Careys Manor and New Park Manor.
It was, arguably, the opening of the original THE PIG outside Brockenhurst that helped place the New Forest on the foodie map. Known for its 25-mile menu, this informal style of country house hotel has brought to wider attention local specialities such as pannage pork – produced by commoners turning their pigs out onto the Forest during pannage season (roughly autumn) to scoff the acorns.
There is now a plethora of good cafes and tea rooms, restaurants, inns and wine bars in the village. Friendly pubs include The Foresters, The Huntsman and The Snakecatcher. Among the range of eateries are The Commoners Wine Bar, Albero pizza and pasta restaurant, Enzee Trattoria, and White Tails Restaurant. Just south of Brockenhurst at Setley Ridge there is a very good farm shop, Daisy Tea Garden, nursery and vineyard, plus a sustainable craft brewery and tap room, PIG BEER, which holds events such as a beer and cheese pairing night.
Creatives will also be happy. SpudWORKS in neighbouring Sway village is a community art hub with art clubs for kids and teens, while the current exhibition, running throughout October, explores the work of Jasper Rouwen – National Park Artist in Residence.
Other art centres in the area include St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington, and Forest Arts in New Milton which has a programme of performances, encompassing comedy, folk and Shakespeare, and all manner of clubs, from ballet to crafting.
There are more courses available through Brockenhurst College, such as Pilates, pottery, photography, birdwatching, dressmaking and upholstery. At Brockenhurst Community Hub, comprising village hall, play park and games area, various activities include street dance for kids, junior taekwondo and rugby tots, plus bridge, flower clubs and choirs for grown-ups. In short there is plenty to keep everyone in the family occupied.
Otherwise Brockenhurst provides the essentials such as a doctors’ surgery, dental practices, opticians, pharmacy, mini-supermarkets and post office, alongside aforementioned butcher, baker and greengrocer. This is living the dream: a honeypot village with heart.
Melissa De Leon Kennedy is a dog trainer who put down roots in the New Forest after moving to Brockenhurst 23 years ago.
Melissa recalls: ‘We decided to move to Brockenhurst after coming here on holiday in our caravan. The feeling of relief when we drove into the Forest and how relaxed we felt made the decision to move easier when we found the house of our dreams, even though we were moving our young sons away from their friends. We were welcomed by the people in Brockenhurst and I went on to make some fantastic friends at the school gates, functions and later the PTA. I very quickly was made to feel part of the local community.
‘As an animal lover Brockenhurst has also been the ideal base to set up my dog training business. I established Woof Pack New Forest Training three years ago, with a focus on force-free, science-based training, specialising in scent detection.
‘This area is perfect for dog owners. We enjoy some exceptionally lovely Forest walks with our three spaniels, or it is just a short drive to one of the beaches on the New Forest coast for a breezy stroll.’
BAG A PROPERTY
Dan Burkinshaw, Director, Spencers Property, oversees New Forest sales from the Brockenhurst and Burley offices. He comments, ‘Brockenhurst remains an extremely active market, driven by people’s desire to live in a lovely Forest location but still have mainline station access to London and be within touching distance of the coast.
‘Properties that front the Forest have had extremely successful responses and both London and local upsizers and downsizers continue to keep focus on their moves. More properties are becoming available to buyers creating a more sensitive market, and while many leads come from our London Office, we have seen a big surge in local movers looking for more or less space.
‘The redevelopment of the Cloud Hotel on Meerut Road has seen a flurry of activity. Epitomising the draw of living on the Forest while being close to the high street, this development offers a selection of two- and three-bedroom homes along with a stunning bed and breakfast opportunity available to buy in the middle of the development.
‘Having worked in Brockenhurst for three years now, the main thing that strikes me is the amicable village life with its friendly community and many amenities. In addition, the variety of houses that the area offers is rich and diverse.
‘I always feel so fortunate when I walk or drive to properties around Brockenhurst. The stunning views and the array of wildlife on display create the sense of a real sanctuary like nowhere else. It really reinforces to me why I wanted my kids to grow up in an area like this.’
