Trains to the New Forest: Everything You Need to Know

There are eight train stations in the New Forest: Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Hinton Admiral, Lymington, New Milton, Sway, and Totton. 

New Milton Station: Gateway from the South

A market town in the New Forest district, southwest Hampshire, New Milton lies to the south of the New Forest National Park. Several local buses can take you directly from this station around the national park. Trains from London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole, and Winchester stop at New Milton. Get from London Waterloo to New Milton in around 1 hour 40 minutes with South Western Railway.

Totton Station: Northern Entry Point to the New Forest

North of the New Forest National Park, Totton Station is ideally placed for easy access to the national park. On direct routes from Winchester, Southampton, and Bournemouth with South Western Railway, Totton is a popular station for New Forest adventures. For example, the journey from Winchester to Totton takes just 28 minutes on fast, convenient South Western Railway trains.

Take a hike in the New Forest

Experience ancient woodland, beautiful heathland, and quaint villages all in a morning’s stroll in the New Forest! Wildlife lovers will marvel at the array of species they can spot, from free-roaming donkeys and deer to woodpeckers, kingfishers and linnets. For an accessible walk, try the Bolderwood: Radnor Trail, a 1.9-mile ramble through sweet chestnut, oak, and beech dating from the 1860s. Or experience Lyndhurst on an 8.5-mile circular walk through the heart of the New Forest. In total, the national park boasts more than 140 miles of hiking tracks and footpaths. Which will you pick?

Family activities in the New Forest

The New Forest has a wide array of activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Little ones will love visiting Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World, and a thrilling day out filled with rollercoaster rides, flumes, Peppa Pig-themed fun. For great outdoor attractions, visit Exbury Gardens, a large area of land in the south of the New Forest National Park, with beautiful floral displays and a miniature steam railway.

The New Forest is one of the best national parks for cycling in the UK. Through ancient woodland, heaths, and charming villages, follow over 100 miles of car-free cycle trails. Accessible routes for the whole family, and cyclists of all abilities make exploring the New Forest on two wheels convenient and safe for everyone. Adrenaline-seeking mountain bikers will have their pick of exciting trails, while casual cyclists can hire a bike for a day at several venues around the New Forest.

Local buses, notably the scenic New Forest Tour, are a popular way to move around the park with spectacular views around every corner. Finally, the abundance of train stations throughout the New Forest mean that fast, convenient travel is available for anyone who wants to get quickly from A to B, while still enjoying stress-free, affordable public transport.

The New Forest has an abundance of special places to stay, from luxury hotels to charming cottages surrounded by trees. If you’re looking for unique glamping experiences, try The Old Airfield Campsite in Burley, or for a serene getaway look no further than Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa, one of the New Forest’s most iconic 4-star country house hotels.

Seasonal travel advice for the New Forest

The forest landscape is ever-changing and provides a different experience throughout the year. Many frequent visitors recommend Spring, the season of renewal, where . Take a trip to Exbury Gardens in Spring, where you’ll marvel at its colourful displays of rhododendrons and azaleas. Many popular local markets, such as New Milton Street Market are open from early Spring until mid-Summer, making it the ideal time to explore characterful outdoors stalls.

Make the most of your car-free trip

When visiting the New Forest by train, be sure to pack comfortable shoes to make the most of the great outdoors. Whether you’re strolling along a woodland walk at Furzey Gardens at Minstead, or hiking along some of the 140 miles of tracks and footpaths in the New Forest, you’ll easily clock up high step counts. Bring a portable charger to ensure you have access to navigation apps wherever you end up!

Respect the New Forest wildlife

The New Forest has an abundance of wildlife, making it extremely important that visitors follow national park rules and stick to footpaths as much as possible. With its wide array of ground-nesting birds, including the curlew, redshank, snipe, and lapwing, it is especially crucial to avoid causing them a fright if you are passing through open heathland and mires. In Spring, scaring ground-nesting birds can sadly cause them to abandon eggs or young.

Visit the New Forest Heritage Centre

Want to learn more about the New Forest’s history and heritage? Visit the New Forest Heritage Centre, an independent charitable trust dedicated to sharing stories of the New Forest and its people. Visitors can discover more about the New Forest, its history, its customs, its people, and its wildlife. Located in Lyndhurst, the Centre is open from 10am to 5pm seven days a week (closes at 4pm November to March).

Buy Cheap Train Tickets

However you plan to enjoy the New Forest National Park, you can buy cheap train tickets from TrainPal to get your visit started in the best possible way! Choosing split tickets can lower the cost of your trip considerably, saving almost 50% on journeys to Totton Station. If you can add a Railcard discount too, you’ll reduce your fare by a third, whether a 16–25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together, or Family & Friends Railcard. So what are you waiting for? Experience the New Forest National Park by train today! 

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