Parks and the outdoors in Fordingbridge

10 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Fordingbridge.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Arniss Equestrian
British Horse Society and Pony Club-accredited stables offering group and private tuition at all levels of experience. Or you can enjoy some of the finest horse country in England with a guided "hack" (leisure ride) into the New Forest.
By appointment onlyLessons: 30 min from £33 pp, 1 hr £35 pp; hacks: 1 hr from £45 pp, 2 hr from £80 pp, 3 hr £115 pp
See
Breamore Mizmaze
A medieval turf maze in a grove of yew trees atop Breamore Down, one of only two surviving examples in England. Composed of concentric rings which lead to the centre and bisected by a Christian cross, it is believed to have been created by the monks of Breamore Priory, who apparently crawled to the middle on their knees while praying as penitence. The maze is fenced off, so you can't try it out, but you can see all of it and the hike to get there offers some fab views over the countryside.
Accessible daily, during daylight hoursFree - not necessary to purchase entry to the estate
Buy
D Price Butchers
Delightfully old-fashioned butcher shop which, as the handpainted sign over the door proudly boasts, is "licensed to sell game and venison". The vast majority of their meat comes from Hampshire or Dorset, and much of it from the New Forest. Try their breakfast special - pork sausage and a fried egg dripping with yolk served in a bagel; it ain't kosher, but it sure is tasty!
Tue-Sat 7:30AM-5PM
See
Great Bridge
One of only two bridges in the UK with seven arches, this is a pretty spot to take in the river. If the constant stream of traffic puts you off, you can get a more peaceful view of the ancient crossing from Riverside Park.
Buy
Hockey's Farm Shop
This shop's tagline is "Bring the New Forest home", and that's exactly what you can do with their range of regional food and drink produce. Hockey's butcher much of their own meat, and source the rest from nearby farms; their pigs forage for acorns and mushrooms in the traditional way in the forest during autumn. It's not all raw protein, though, as you can also pick up local fruit and veg, dairy, beer and cider. Further information on provenance is published on their website.
Daily 9AM-5PM
Do
New Forest Water Park
A private lake for water sports and activities. There are two wakeboard systems; one for beginners to practise (15 min lessons are usually enough even for first-timers), and a main course on which to try out tricks, jumps and rails. The Aqua Park features two floating obstacle courses with hurdles, climbing walls, slides and more. For a more relaxing activity, the park also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and freshwater swimming. The park also has a campsite (see below).
Easter-early Nov. Times and days vary, but most often Wed-Sun noon-8PM. Check siteWakeboarding: 15-minute lesson £35, 2 hr on main course £30. Aquapark 1 hr £20. Kayaking 1 hr £20/£30 single/double kayak. Paddleboarding 1 hr £20. Swimming £7. Wetsuits for hire £5
Do
Riverside Park
Fordingbridge Park or Recreation Ground
Despite not knowing what to call itself, this has pretty much everything you'd want from a small town park: a decent-sized playground, sports pitches, a snack kiosk that makes its own ice lollies, and even a shingle beach where you can paddle or swim in the languid waters of the Avon.
Daily 8AM-7PM
Eat
The Bat & Ball
International pub grub with great choice of dishes from fish to grills, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Large beer garden with awnings, and three fireplaces inside.
Sun-Thu noon-10PM, Fri Sat noon-11PMMains £13-22. Sunday lunch: adult £15, child £7
Eat
The Rose and Thistle
Characterful thatched pub-restaurant with cosy interior and lovely beer garden. Owned by a consortium of villagers, it's had a reputation for good seasonal food for donkey's years. The menu has little in the way of vegetarian or vegan food, but chef can accommodate. Local real ale and cider on tap.
Tue-Fri noon-2PM, 6-9:30PM; Sat noon-9:30PM; Sun noon-6PMMains £13-18
Do Not mapped
Fishing (angling) in the Avon
Fish anywhere along the river's course through the park and try your luck at landing grayling, pike, perch, roach, or trout.
Daily dawn-dusk, kiosk 7AM-7PM / dusk (winter)One day permit: adult £5, concession £2.50, under-16 free. Purchase from Riverside Kiosk in the park, or from the information centre in town. You must also have a rod fishing licence from the Environment Agency (£7/day, £13/week, £33/year)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Fordingbridge (CC BY-SA 4.0).