FORDINGBRIDGE, NEW FOREST - HAMPSHIRE

Fordingbridge is a small town on the River Avon in the west of Hampshire, England, near to the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest. Fordingbridge is an historic market town with a population of 6,000 on the banks of the River Avon, close to the New Forest, and within easy reach of the city of Salisbury, and the seaside resort of Bournemouth.

Fordingbridge was recorded in the Domesday Book and derives its name from “Forde” and “bridge”. The first Great Bridge, built in mediaeval times, is upstream from the ford. The bridge is a major feature of the town with its seven graceful arches, which can be seen very easily from the town’s large riverside park where you can walk along the riverbank draped with willows and waterside plants. Close by is a children’s play area, secluded memorial gardens,parks, and sports playing fields.

A few yards from the High Street is the parish church of St. Mary. Largely built in 1150 it has some typical Norman characteristics.

Once an industrial and commercial centre, Fordingbridge boasted many trades and was noted for its smuggling and the infamous Captain Diamond, the “Smuggler King” spent much of his time in a local hostelry. A bronze statute of the controversial painter, Augustus John, stands on the banks of the Avon near the Great Bridge.

Fordingbridge is the Northern Gateway between Cranborne Chase & the New Forest.

FORDINGBRIDGE HOTELS

St Leonards Hotel

185 Ringwood Road, St Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2NP.
This traditional country hotel is situated in beautiful woodland on the edge of the New Forest. Poole and Bournemouth are both close by.

Woodfalls Inn

The Ridge, Redlynch, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 2LN.
You will appreciate the high standard of food and service we offer at the Woodfalls Inn. 1997 U.K. INNKEEPER OF THE YEAR AWARD.

FORDINGBRIDGE ATTRACTIONS

Artsway
Beaulieu Abbey
Bucklers Hard
Bucklands Rings
Calsot Castle
Exbury Gardens
Fordingbridge Museum - houses local history exhibits.
Furzey Gardens
Hurst Castle
Lepe Country Park
Longdown Dairy Farm
Lymington Keyhaven Nature Reserve
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
New Forest Badger Watch
New Forest Cider, Burley
New Forest Wagon Rides
New Park Farm
Roydon Woods, Lymington
Sammy Miller Motorcycke Museum
Spinners Garden
The Solent Way

TRANSPORT LINKS

Fordingham is approximately 10 miles from Bournemouth Airport , 9 miles from M27 junction 1 and 10 miles from Salisbury Railway Station.