New Forest Heritage Centre

About the museum

The New Forest Heritage Centre stands in the middle of Lyndhurst, beside the main car park behind the High Street. It is run by the New Forest Heritage Trust, a registered charity that aims to help visitors explore and value the New Forest. The centre receives no public funding and relies on its Friends, visitor spending, donations and grants.

The museum looks at the social and cultural history of the Forest, including its old customs and ancient laws, some of which still apply today. Further displays explain how local industries have shaped the landscape and how the wildlife and ecosystem of the National Park are protected.

One of the best-known objects is the New Forest Embroidery on the first floor. It is about 7.5 metres long and was stitched over two years by Lady Belinda Montagu and around 60 volunteers. It shows key moments in the Forest's story between 1079 and 1979. The centre also has a reference library and archive with a large public collection of printed material on the Forest, a gallery for changing exhibitions, a gift shop and a café.

Highlights

• New Forest Embroidery, a 7.5-metre panel covering 1079 to 1979
• Displays on the traditions and ancient laws of the Forest
• Reference library and archive on the New Forest
• Free entry, with a family-friendly café and gift shop
• Free adult wheelchairs and Sensory Explorer bags

Permanent exhibitions

• New Forest Museum – Displays on the customs, ancient laws, industries and wildlife of the New Forest.
• New Forest Embroidery – A 7.5-metre embroidery made by about 60 volunteers, showing events in the Forest's history from 1079 to 1979.

Founded

1988

Operated by

New Forest Heritage Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free main entrance; a lift in the gift shop area serves the upper floor. Free adult-sized wheelchairs can be borrowed (request in advance or at reception). There are two accessible toilets, one on each floor. Large-print guides to the permanent displays, Sensory Explorer bags and a downloadable Visual Story guide are available. Several disabled parking spaces are beside the centre. Dogs are welcome in the museum, gallery, shop and café; only assistance dogs are allowed in the library and archive.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Free museum trails, activity sheets and colouring sheets, plus family activities in the school holidays. The museum has interactive displays and a play area. Baby changing is in the downstairs accessible toilet, and the café has bottle warming and a quiet breastfeeding area. Unaccompanied children aged 14 or over are welcome; younger children need an adult aged 16 or over.

Getting there & parking

Use postcode SO43 7NY. From the east leave the M27 at junction 1 (signed Cadnam). Brown signs for the visitor information centre mark the routes into Lyndhurst. Bike racks are at the side of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café serves sandwiches, soups, cakes and scones, with gluten-free and vegan options, and uses local producers. There is a gift shop and a visitor information service.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 40 guests.

Three rooms for meetings, workshops and small group activities: the ground-floor Gallery (up to 40 theatre style), the Barker-Mill Field Studies Room (up to 30) and the Jack Hargreaves Local Studies Room (up to 16). Hire is normally Monday to Friday.

Plan your visit