Location
Bartley Barn is conveniently located in the south east of the New Forest at the edge of the village of East Boldre, overlooking open heathland for miles to the west. From this perspective you will appreciate fabulous views over the open forest, and some of the best sunsets you’ll see in this country - on several occasions they’ve been compared by those who know, with African skies!
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East Boldre is a quiet village just off the beaten track which is not inundated by visitors in the summer as are some of the better known forest villages and towns. The Barn is 5 minutes level walk to the East Boldre post office and village store which sells nearly everything, and “locals” pub the Turfcutters Arms which offers a wide choice of well priced food and ales and a hearty fire when appropriate. (Dogs are welcomed at the Turfcutters Arms too.)
You can set off on foot from Bartley Barn in whichever direction you fancy - including just striding straight out onto the open heathland across the road. It is a short walk to beautiful Hatchet Pond which enjoys its own spectacular sunsets over the water and offers some well situated wooden benches on which you can sit and quietly contemplate!
By bicycle you can enjoy cycling a network of forest tracks which lead as far as the outskirts of Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst without touching a road. Alternatively you can choose to follow the quiet local roads leading down to Bucklers Hard on the beautiful Beaulieu River, or the back road to Lymington through East Boldre and East End, passing close to the Solent shore at the top of Tanners Lane.
Bartley Barn is just 2 miles to the west of Beaulieu and ideally situated for visits to its world famous National Motor Museum.
Lymington is an attractive vibrant Georgian market town about 5 miles to the south west which has a full range of shops and restaurants, regular ferries to the Isle of Wight, boat excursions, fishing trips and sailing. The large forest village of Brockenhurst is 6 miles to the north west and offers more restaurants and shops plus bike hire and a main line rail station with regular trains to London. Horse riding can be booked at a number of stables at Brockenhurst and Burley (10 mls). There are public slipways at Bucklers Hard, Lymington and Keyhaven (8 miles and ferry to Hurst Castle). There are lovely beaches at Milford on Sea with sand at low tide, and more sandy beaches as you approach Bournemouth.
For more information about some of these towns and other attractions in our part of the New Forest please see Places to Visit.