Lyndhurst is a small rural village in the centre of the forest with easy access from the M27 motorway. It is home of 'Queens House', headquarters of the Forestry Commission and the ancient Swainmote Court of the forest verderers, dating back to the 14th Century.

In the centre of the village is the New Forest Museum, which tells the entire history of the ever changing New Forest and hold the New Forest Embroidery which was made to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Forest, designed by Belinda Montagu is well worth a visit. There are many restaurants and public houses as well as very good Bed and Breakfast establishments and Hotels. Form the village you can explore Bolton's Bench where also regular cricket matches are held behind the hill. Overlooking the village is the  tall spire of the Victorian Church where in the graveyard you will find the grave of Mrs. Reginald Hargraves who as Miss Alice Liddell who was best know for her starring role in Lewis Carroll's children stories.

To the north, the village of Minstead, with Furzey Gardens, established in 1922, with pleasant tea rooms at Acre Down Farm, and the village Church is the burial place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.