North New Forest Tourist Information Rufus Stone Conan Doyle Grave Hampshire

Bramshaw North New Forest

Bramshaw is most often visited due to its proximity to Piper's Wait which lies to the west of the village. It's the highest point in the New Forest at 125 metres above mean sea level. The village makes a great starting point for several walks and cycle rides.

The village's name comes from the old English for Bramble Wood and the village is surrounded by ancient woodland and commons some of which are managed by the National Trust.

Bramshaw village itself is a traditional New Forest village with a green where you'll see the New Forest Ponies, donkeys and cattle grazing or even pigs - all of which are often wandering around the village lanes.

Bramshaw is also home to Hampshire's oldest golf club, founded in 1880. It has two 18 hole courses, the mature parkland Manor Course and the heathland Forest Course. The Manor Course is a par 71 while the Forest Course is a par 68. Visitors are welcomed and the Club offers special golfing packages. Check the link right for more information. Bramshaw Golf Club, Brook, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7HE. Tel: 023 8081 3433. Email: golf@bramshaw.co.uk.

Eling Tide Mill North New Forest

Eling lies on the western side of Southampton Water and has it's own harbour where local sailing boats moor up.

Eling is home to the only working tide mill in the country. It was originally built to use the power of the tides to grind wheat for wholemeal flower. There has been a mill on this site for 900 years. The current mill is 230 yeas old. Eling Tide Mill was used up until the 1940s and was then restored between 1975 and 1980 as a working mill and museum. The Mill is open Weds-Sun all year round from 10am-4pm. Eling Tide Mill, The Tollbridge, Totton, Southampton SO40 9HF. Tel: 023 8086 9575. Email: info@elingtidemill.org.uk

There is a Heritage Centre and Eling Creek Cafe in Eling. The Centre traces the history of Eling and Totton from prehistoric times to the present day. On show is a Bronze Age dagger found in Testwood Lakes and a display that tells the story of the bombings of Eling Tar Works during World War II. The Centre is open Weds-Sun 10am-4.30pm in summer, 10.30am-4pm in winter. Contact the Centre on 023 8066 6339 for more information.

You can also pick up the Test Way walk. It stretches 44 miles along the course of the River Test from Inkpen in Berkshire to Eling. Along the way you'll pass water meadows, tidal marshes with riverside picnic areas and pubs to break the journey. Click on the link right for more information and a downloadable leaflet.

Minstead Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Grave

Minstead is just north of Lyndhurst in the New Forest. It's a popular village to visit for its thatched cottages and the thirteenth century All Saints Church.

All Saints Church has an unusual tiered pulpit but is most famous for being the burial place for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes series of stories.

He died of heart disease in July 1930 at the age of 71. His grave is a simple white cross under an oak tree. He was reburied with his second wife, Jean, when she died in 1940. It is said that he was drawn to the New Forest because of his interest in spiritualism and the occult and lived in Brook near Bramshaw for some time.

The Rufus Stone near Minstead

Just outside Minstead is one of the New Forest's most historic sites.

The Rufus Stone marks the spot where King William II was killed by a stray arrow fired by Walter Tyrell at a stag hunt in 2 August 1100. The stone was placed as a memorial in 1745.

You can find the Rufus Stone just off the A31, north west of Minstead.

Furzey Gardens Minstead

Also in Minstead are Furzey Gardens - a popular informal garden to visit that was first established in 1922.

The gardens have been planted up to provide year round interest with both native and exotic species from around the world. Latterly there has been extensive replanting and regeneration of the gardens introducing many new plants.

You can also visit the sixteenth century thatched Cole Cottage which dates back to 1560. This was once home to a family with thirteen children! The vegetable garden has been planted up as a cottage garden. There is also an art gallery displaying a range of crafts on the site and a coffee shop with a pleasant outdoor terrace with views over the gardens. There are also some child-friendly attractions including a play area with a tree house, swings and crawl tunnel.

Dogs are not allowed into the gardens with the exception of guide dogs. The gardens are open daily throughout the year byt the Gallery is only open between Mar-Oct 10am-5pm. Check the link right for more information. Furzey Gardens, School Lane, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7GL. Tel: 02380 812464. Fax: 02380 812297. Email: office@furzey-gardens.org