On the edge of the New Forest, England lies Ashurst Village, the perfect base to explore Britain’s newest National Park (2005). Once a former royal hunting ground, the New Forest is a world heritage site and now a world renowned tourist attraction in the south west of Britain. Only ninety minutes from London, the New Forest welcomes millions of visitors throughout the year.
There are many towns and villages spread around the 65,000 acres of national park. Ashurst Village lies on the eastern edge of the New Forest in an attractive setting easily accessible by rail (London Waterloo to Ashurst, approx. 75 mins) and by car with the A35 running straight through it.
The word Ashurst means ‘ash wooded hill’. In Tudor times, Ashurst Wood was where timber was systematically burnt for the production of saltpetre (the raw material for gunpowder at the time). Saltpetre House can be found to the west of Ashurst Campsite, before Ashurst Lodge Road.
The first evidence of any kind of settlement in Ashurst dates to around AD 495 when historians believe the Saxon invaders encountered opposition west of the River Test. The town of Ashurst does not appear in any written documentation until its first reference in court records (25 March 1314), when the name ‘Asshhurst Wood’ appears regarding the theft of timber. It is believed that a flourishing timber trade existed at this time consistent with the New Forest being used as a royal hunting ground and to service the navy and local boat-building industry.
For many years Ashurst remained just a few working farms. Then the railway came and in 1847 Southampton was linked to Dorchester and the settlement was reborn. Initially named ‘Lyndhurst Road’, the station was renamed Ashurst in 1933 following the replacement of the level-crossing gates with a road bridge. The timber trade provided prosperity for all and the railroad led to many new buildings and people.
Today, Ashurst boasts some of the best accommodation on offer in the New Forest. Hotels include one of Britain’s finest, Hotel Terravina, owned and run by Nina and Gerard Basset (winner of Best Sommelier 2010). There are intimate bed and breakfast destinations and for people looking for self-catering options there is a wealth of cottages and campsites to choose from.
Ashurst Village is ideally situated within easy reach of Southampton (15 mins) and London (75 mins) and there are buses to Lyndhurst (the old capital of the forest) every 15 minutes. It has a number of quality restaurants and some authentic British country pubs to savour.
To find your perfect place to stay in Ashurst visit http://www.TheNewForestHotels.co.uk
The New Forest Hotels is a directory of all accommodation in the New Forest with links to individual properties. The easy way to book accommodation in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK.
Nick Currer lives and works in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK.
The New Forest Hotels is a directory of all accommodation in the New Forest and is the easy way to book accommodation for your stay.
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