Magical Brockenhurst, Where the Wild Horses Roam

Atmosphere

Brockenhurst is home to thatched cottages and a slower pace. There is a fantastic gin distillery, and it houses some of the most incredible restaurants in England.

Brockenhurst is the largest village in New Forest National Park, nestled right in its heart. Despite its size, it still feels peaceful and local—ponies and donkeys casually wander the streets, ancient woodlands are just steps away, and there are cozy pubs around every corner.

Bring your wellies and a tartan scarf and wander through the new forest searching for wild horses. You won’t have to look very hard as they roam freely around town and wander up to the front doors of the supermarkets and the restaurants.

Some of the donkeys wait at Tesco

History

Its history goes back over a thousand years-it was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Broceste” and was part of the royal hunting grounds created by William the Conqueror. The village’s name likely comes from Old English words meaning “badger wood” or “broken wooded hill.” During WWI it was the location of hospitals for injured Indian and New Zealand soldiers, and during WWII, Balmer Lawn Hotel was used as a Divisional HQ where Generals Montgomery and Eisenhower met to plan the D-Day Landings.

St Nicholas’ Church is the oldest in the New Forest and the only one still mentioned in the Domesday Book. It houses a small WWI exhibition, and in its graveyard you’ll find the grave of Brusher Mills—the legendary local snake-catcher, whose memory lives on in the pub named after him. At the western end of the main street is the famous Watersplash, a ford where the North and South weirs meet, which can be a gentle trickle or an impassable torrent after heavy rain.

St. Nicholas Graveyard

Activities

For activities, walkers and cyclists are well catered to with routes including the 9-mile Castle-man’s Corkscrew along a disused railway line from Brockenhurst station to Burley Village. Horse riding is also popular, with Brockenhurst Riding Stables offering one or two hour experiences through the forest.

Don't feed the horses

Restaurant recommendations

• Le Blaireau: A French bistro located within Carey's Manor hotel on Lyndhurst Road. It's a lovely spot with classic French dishes; reviewers particularly love the French onion soup, monkfish, and the local Normandy cider. The atmosphere gets a lot of praise, too. Open for lunch and dinner most days (closed for lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

• White Tails Restaurant: The highest-rated of the bunch, tucked inside Cottage Lodge. It's an intimate, fine-dining feel with homemade seasonal dishes. The scotch eggs, stroganoff, and crème brûlée get particular praise. Open Tue–Sat evenings only, so booking is a must.

• The Huntsman: A large, lively pub-restaurant with open fires, a broad menu (think venison pie, sea bass, burgers), and good value. Open all day from 8 a.m., making it handy for lunch too.

• Enzee Ristorante & Pizzeria: A charming Italian right opposite the train station, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Great for pasta and pizza; the host Massimo is frequently mentioned by reviewers. Evenings only.

• The Snakecatcher: A classic New Forest pub with generous portions and a popular outdoor space. Good for a relaxed meal, and there’s live music at weekends.

• Albero Italian: A much-loved spot with an open kitchen and wood-fired oven. Reviewers rave about the quality of the pizzas and pasta, with Italian visitors saying it rivals the real thing back home. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

• Stetley Ridge Vineyard: Farm shop, garden centre, restaurant, and tea room. Some of the best sticky toffee pudding I have had!

• The Bakehouse: Pasties and sausage rolls. I am fairly certain they are award-winning

The Thatchery

This is the perfect weekend getaway from the bustle of London. Bring your wellies! You will want to wander and roam, and it is England so it will most likely be soggy. Don’t expect a forest as you know it in the U.S.! It is really wide open spaces with trees and streams dotted through. You can pet the horses! But please do not feed them.

Grab a pasty or a sausage roll from the village butcher for your walk. Have breakfast or lunch at the Buttery. There is a Tesco—stock up your hotel room and for the train with essentials

There is also a distillery! New Forest Distillery (820 Spirits) is a short distance away in Boldre Lane, Lymington, and it has a perfect 5.0 rating. They do gin and rum making experiences, tastings, and cocktails, and a nice touch—the owner, Tom, will actually pick you up from Brockenhurst station if you book a session, so you don’t need to worry about driving. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our England page.