VILLAGES NEAR LYNDHURST
Minstead
2 miles north west of Lyndhurst, is noted for its 12thC church with its
three-decker pulpit. This is the resting place of Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle. There is a pub (The Trusty Servant) which serves good food and a
village shop. Furzey Gardens (see below) are
here.
Nearby can be found the "Rufus Stone" - the traditional site of
the death of William II in 1100. Paleolithic implements have been found
here, and there are Bronze Age barrows. There is an Iron Age hill top
fort at Malwood covering 1.8 hectares. It was near here that a beacon
site was situated, receiving signals from Marchwood (by Southampton
Water) and direct from Freshwater in the Isle of Wight.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
A great place to watch wild deer. There is a tiered viewing platform which gives uninterrupted views over
the field area where the deer live. Located at the northern end
of Bolderwood Drive which is accessible from the A35 Lyndhurst to
Christchurch road.
About 3 miles West of Lyndhurst.
The Reptile Centre Centre
Here there are 8 open air enclosed pens each of which contain
examples of wildlife such as snakes, lizards, frogs,
toads and newts which live in Britain. On the A35 Lyndhurst to Southampton
road 2 miles West of Lyndhurst.
Open every day April to end of September 10am - 4.30pm.
Tel: 023 8028 314
The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park
The park is set in 25 acres of ancient woodland in the New Forest. Here you will
find part of Europe’s largest collection of multi-specied otters, owls
and other indigenous wildlife. For over thirty years, the centre has been particularly
concerned with the status of the otter and the barn owl, both of which
are endangered species. They have an ongoing breeding program for all
otters and owls so that captive bred stock can be released either to
supplement existing diminished numbers or to re-establish a presence
where they formerly thrived but are no longer found.
The otter and owl enclosures are situated on circular
nature trails which meander through the ancient wooded grounds
surrounding the indoor animal accommodation.
Open all year round – 10am to 6pm. Weekends only in
January and February.
Longdown, Ashurst, Southampton. SO40 4UH. Tel: 023 8029 2408
www.ottersandowls.co.uk
Longdown Activity Farm
A great chance to meet lots
of friendly farm animals and to try your hand at being a farmer for a
day!
Just off the A35 between Lyndhurst
and Southampton. It is excellent for all ages, and is
wheelchair-friendly. All school groups are given fully guided tours at
no extra charge. Open daily, from Easter to the end of October.
Longdown Activity Farm, Ashurst, near Southampton,
Hampshire. SO40 4UH. tel: 023
8029 3326.
www.longdownfarm.co.uk
Furzey Gardens and Cottage
Set in the heart of The New Forest at Minstead, this delightful,
informal garden was established in 1922 and is renowned for its all year
round beauty. See extensive collections of azaleas and rhodendrons, the strange Bottle
Brush tree and flaming Chilean Fire trees
www.furzey-gardens.org
