Fordingbridge, New Forest travel guide and Fordingbridge information

Visit Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge is a market town to the north-west of the New Forest, just outside the official borders of the National Park and on the River Avon.

Originally the town was called Forde - the river being crossed by a ford at this point. After the building of the impressive seven arched bridge in the 13th century the name was changed to Fordingbridge.

Visit Fordingbridge

It is a pleasant town to amble around; then after exploring Fordingbridge itself, the walk through the park next to the bridge is very pleasant - take some bread so your children can feed the ducks!

One of the New Forest Information centres is located in Fordingbridge, in King's Yard.

Also in King's Yard, the Fordingbridge Museum relates the history of the local area using a wide range (many thousands) of exhibits collected over many years by a local family and is well worth a visit - there are interesting artefacts covering a wide range of events from Augustus John, the well known painter who lived in the village, to the role of Fordingbridge in World War II.

A popular excursion from Fordingbridge is to see the roman villa at Rockbourne, and the associated exhibits discovered during the excavations of the villa, the largest so far discovered in this region.

You can find more local travel ideas in the New Forest guide and the