When you book a holiday cottage in Fordingbridge, you'll find yourself in “the gateway to the New Forest”. Named after its seven-arched medieval bridge that gracefully spans the River Avon, and its upstream ford, this once prosperous industrial town is romanticised as a former smugglers’ hotbed - the infamous Captain Diamond, ‘King of Smugglers’, a past face who often frequented the town’s hostelries. From your self-catering cottage, walk along the tranquil riverbanks, draped with weeping willows, and past the bronze statue of artist, Augustus John (one of the town’s most famous former residents), to discover the town’s shops, pubs and restaurants. Enjoy a picnic by the water and take in the gorgeous scenery before a leisurely game of boules; one of the townsfolk’s most popular pastimes. Here, you’ll also find various natural havens and public gardens, winding cycleways, and also Rockbourne Roman Villa; a fascinating archaeological glimpse into the area’s past.
Set in the picturesque grounds of Burgate House on the banks of the river, Burgate House Lodge is a stylish single-storey lodge ideal for couples or small families, and is also pet-friendly. For a romantic country escape, whisk your partner away to Oakview, a charming wooden lodge with direct access to open forest and stunning, far reaching views, just 3 miles from Fordingbridge's town centre.
