Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge a quiet town to the North of the New Forest where a stone bridge with seven graceful arches spans the River Avon. Within the Fordingbridge you can explore the china works of Branksome China, and see it all made with a factory tour. A family firm sending their bone china tea sets, coffee sets and smaller individual pieces of china, some hand decorated and painted to lovely animals all over the world and can be purchased in the factory shop.

Another great place of interest open on Saturday and Sunday's is the Alderholt Mill. A working water mill on the Hampshire/Dorset borders. Demonstration of the mill working can be seen on Sunday Afternnoons at 3pm between Easter and September. The mill grounds wholemeal flour and this can be purchased as can a cream tea from 2.00pm-5.30pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. The Museum in Fordingbridge displays many tools from tradespeople from bygone years.

The village of Woodgreen is close by with a lovely village pub and the village hall is painted with all the people that live and have lived in the village.

A short drive north will take you to Salisbury with its Cathedral and markets in the Square on Tuesday and Saturdays. Nearby Breamore Manor House, Museum and Village in the home of the Hulse family and well worth a visit. Breamore House was the setting of the television programme Children of the New Forest. Rockbourne Roman Villa was discovered about 50 years ago