Visit us
The New Forest Heritage Centre is conveniently located in the centre of Lyndhurst, adjacent to the main pay & display car park behind the High Street.
If you are using a SatNav the postcode is SO43 7NY, alternatively you can click here for a map.
The New Forest Heritage Centre is accessible to a wide range of visitors, and we always try to meet the needs of everyone who visits us. If you or your group has a specific need please contact us at office@newforestheritage.org.uk
Family Visits
We love to welcome families, and there are lots of things for you to do! Discover our galleries, displays, and a programme of family events and activities inspired by our museum collections over the school holidays.
We have free museum trails, activity sheets and colouring sheets available in our museum for our younger visitors to enjoy.
Whether you pop in for a quick visit or spend a little more time exploring, you’ll find activities to engage and educate the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents!
Children Visiting Us
We welcome unaccompanied children aged 14 or over.
Children aged 13 and under need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 16 or over.
Groups of more than six visitors should book before their visit by emailing office@newforestheritage.org.uk or education@newforestheritage.org.uk
How to get to us
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By Bicycle
You can visit us by bike and use the racks on the side of our building. The New Forest offers over 200km waymarked cycle routes, much of it off road and traffic free. The station at Brockenhurst allows you to bring your bikes and get straight out into the Forest or if you don’t have bikes with you pop in to one of the many cycle hire shops.
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By Public Transport
By Bus
The New Forest is served by a public bus network, which provides the opportunity to travel around the area by bus.
Bluestar Buses – https://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/
Morebus - https://www.morebus.co.uk/
The New Forest Tour (July - September)
You can hop on and off where you like and catch another bus later, or switch between tours, all on the same ticket. With tours running every day during the summer this a really unique way to get a grandstand view of the New Forest.
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By Car
The New Forest lies to the west of Southampton Water in south-west Hampshire. If you are travelling from Southampton, London, or the east, exit the M27 at Junction 1, signed Cadnam and head southwards into the New Forest.
If you are travelling from the west, you can use the A31 from Dorset. From the north, take either the A338 from Salisbury to Ringwood in the west of the Forest, or the A36 to Totton in the east.
We are located in the large main Pay and Display car park in Lyndhurst (operated by RingGo - 2579). There are several parking spaces for disabled persons beside the Centre.
The Centre is also signposted with brown heritage signs on all the major routes into Lyndhurst.
FAQs
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We are a dog-friendly museum, gallery, gift shop, and café.
We allow assistance dogs only in our library and archive.
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There is a large public car park to the front of the building (this is a council run car park with charges).
For more information, please visit the New Forest District Council website here: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1369/Lyndhurst-Car-Park-Lyndhurst
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The New Forest Heritage Centre is located on the Main Car Park in Lyndhurst. Our Welcome Desk is located through the main, step-free entrance and staff will be here to welcome you.
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We have two accessible toilets – one downstairs and one upstairs.
We have male and female toilets with disabled access and baby changing facilities.
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We do our best to be accessible to all our visitors.
Please visit our access page here for more information: https://www.newforestheritage.org.uk/access
If you have questions or concerns about access, please email office@newforestheritage.org.uk or call 023 8028 3444 prior to your visit.
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Large-print guides for our permanent museum displays are available in the museum.
We have Sensory Explorer bags available to borrow during your visit. They are kept beside the lift near the café. If you would like to use one of them, please sign it out using the sign-out sheet. Please return the bag to the hook when you have finished using it. We hope it will make your visit enjoyable.
Our Visual Story guides you through a visit to the New Forest Heritage Centre. Please click the link below to download the guide
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We have baby changing facilities available in our accessible toilet upstairs. Our upper floor can be accessed via stairs or our lift located in our gift shop.
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We offer variety of options for group visits:
Self-Led Visits
We welcome groups of all ages for self-led visits to our museum for up to 30 people. Our suggested donation is £2 – £4 per person. If your group size exceeds six people, please contact us prior to your visit via office@newforestheritage.org.uk or 023 8028 3444
Self-Led Resourced Visits for Groups with Children
For an additional suggested donation of £1 per child we’ll provide a museum trail about the history and geography of the New Forest for each child in your group.
To book or to discuss in more detail please email office@newforestheritage.org.uk or education@newforestheritage.org.uk or call 023 8028 3444
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The library and archive can be accessed Monday to Friday throughout the year by appointment. To arrange a visit, please contact the library by emailing library@newforestheritage.org.uk or on 023 8028 6150
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We welcome children of all ages and offer a wide range of activities and education sessions to help children learn about the New Forest.
More information can be found on our Community and Learning page: https://www.newforestheritage.org.uk/community-learning
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We offer room hire opportunities for small to medium sized groups.
Please visit our Room hire page