If you want to visit the New Forest and are wondering how to get from London to Brockenhurst, this guide is here to help!
Brockenhurst is at the heart of the New Forest, and makes a great base for your stay in the area. So it makes complete sense to arrive in this attractive village, which is not only central but also offers good amenities and accommodation.
There’s another great reason to head for this village. Regular trains run from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst. The train station is in the centre of the village, so it couldn’t be easier to get to where you want to go from here.
If you want to find out about driving and trains to Brockenhurst, then this guide is for you. Also covered is whether or not you can get a bus to Brockenhurst.
Let’s get started on how to go from to Brockenhurst from London.
In a hurry? Regular direct trains from London to Brockenhurst are the fastest way to travel. The station is in the village centre, in the heart of the New Forest.
Check London to Brockenhurst train timetable and ticket prices here
London to Brockenhurst Contents
London to Brockenhurst Comparison Chart
| Transport | Car | Train |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 2 hours & 30 minutes | 1 hour & 40 minutes |
| Pros | Door to door, split cost between passengers, use of car in forest | Relaxing journey, centrally located station, fastest |
| Cons | Traffic can be slow with summer standstills, limited village parking | Last-minute & first class tickets can be expensive |
| Top tips | Avoid peak periods, plan parking, expect delays en route | Look for direct trains with less stops, buy tickets in advance |
| Best for | Freedom & flexibility | Fastest journey times |
| Booking | Book car hire here | Book train tickets here |
London to Brockenhurst by Car
Best for freedom and flexibility
- Travel time: 2 hours & 30 minutes + (approx)
- Parking:
- Brookley Road car park, SO42 7RA
- Tilery Road car park, SO43 7DE
- Puttles Bridge car park, SO42 7QB
You can of course drive from the London area to Brockenhurst. This way you can set off whenever you like, and will also have access to a car during your visit.
Simply set your SatNav or app with one of the postcodes above and you’ll be set. The Brookley Road car park is the closest to the village centre, but isn’t that big. Tilery Road and Puttles Bridge car park are a little further out.
Of course if you’re staying over you can just input the postcode for your hotel, B&B or holiday cottage. Most of the bigger hotels have large car parks.
It’s over 90 miles from London to Brockenhurst by road. Don’t forget to factor in fuel costs, plus car hire if you need it.
One word of caution. Traffic heading in this direction can crawl slowly during summer weekends or school holidays. Especially through Lyndhurst. This can also cause problems with parking in central areas.
So think carefully about whether to drive during peak season if you’re in a hurry. There’s also traffic heading in this general direction bound for south coast spots such as Bournemouth, Weymouth and beyond.
Top tips:
- Avoid driving during peak periods
- Plan where to park (see postcodes above)
- Know that journey times will vary due to starting point and traffic levels
Pros:
- You can drive door to door
- You’ll have use of your car while in the area
- Driving can be cost effective for a number of passengers
Cons:
- Traffic often crawls through Lyndhurst in particular
- It’s difficult to predict precise journey times
- Parking in the village centre is limited
Click here to check car hire prices
London to Brockenhurst by train
Best for faster journey times
- Travel time: 1 hour & 40 minutes (approx)
- From: London Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City underground lines)
- To: Brockenhurst train station
Taking the London to Brockenhurst train is a great option. You can sit back and watch the landscape getting greener, without worrying about navigation or traffic. Or parking when you get there.
A real plus is the fact that Brockenhurst train station is in the centre of the village. And then the village is in the heart of the forest. It really couldn’t be any more conveniently sited.
The train from London to Brockenhurst takes about an hour-and-three-quarters to get there. This does vary, depending on which train you take, as some make more stops than others.
Whether or not you’ll need to change trains also varies. So choose your route carefully to save time! South Western Railway operates the services multiple times per day.
In general, it’s cheaper to buy tickets when you book in advance. Even doing so the day before departure can make a big difference.
Browse London to Brockenhurst tickets here
Top tips:
- Find the most direct train as lots of stops increase travel times
- Buy tickets as far in advance as you can to get the best price
Pros:
- Kick back and relax rather than driving or navigating
- Train station is in central Brockenhurst
- Fastest journey times
Cons:
- Last-minute or first class tickets can be pricey
Click here to check out train tickets
London to Brockenhurst by Bus
You cannot get a direct bus from London to Brockenhurst. The closest points are Ringwood – about eight miles away – or Southampton.
You could go for this option if you’re not in a hurry, but it’s by far the most time-consuming. Another local bus or train service would be needed to get you from Southampton or Ringwood to Brockenhurst. Such as the New Forest tour bus.
Taking the train is so much faster. As long as you book in advance, rail ticket prices can be very competitive.
London to Brockenhurst FAQs
Which line is Brockenhurst on?
Brockenhurst station in the New Forest is on the South West Main Line. This stretches between London Waterloo and Weymouth. It’s about 92 miles between London Waterloo and Brockenhurst. The latter is also where the Lymington Branch Line connects with other lines.
How can I get from London to the New Forest by train?
The best way to reach the New Forest by train from London is to buy a ticket to Brockenhurst. Trains depart from London Waterloo. Brockenhurst is in the heart of the New Forest, and is also on the South West Main Line. The journey takes around an hour and 45 minutes.
How far is Brockenhurst from Lymington?
Via the Lymington Branch Line, you can reach Brockenhurst from Lymington (or vice versa) in under 10 minutes. You can drive between the two in about 12 minutes, and the distance is about five miles. A local bus trip between the two will take around 20 minutes.
Can I go from Clapham Junction to Brockenhurst?
Instead of boarding or alighting at London Waterloo, you can travel between Clapham Junction and Brockenhurst. Routes between the capital and the New Forest stop here. This will make your journey around 10 to 15 minutes shorter. It may also be more convenient for those based in south London.
What stops does the London Waterloo to Brockenhurst train make?
London Waterloo to Brockenhurst trains often stop at Clapham Junction, Woking, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and more. Some trains make a lot more stops than others, so check timetables carefully if you want board somewhere in-between – or would prefer a faster journey with fewer stops.
London to Brockenhurst | Final Thoughts
Travelling from Brockenhurst to London and vice versa is so easy by train. The route by car is also simple, but how long the journey will take can depend on the season and your London arrival or departure point.
It’s really down to whether you want to drive to the New Forest. Doing so means access to a car throughout your stay, but the downside is that journey times can be tricky to predict.
Do note that traffic through Lyndhurst often moves slowly, especially during summer, at weekends and when there are school holidays. Apart from hotel car parks, central spaces can also be hard to find.
If you do decide to go by rail, book as early as you can to get cheap train tickets.
Take a look at train ticket prices here
Want to know how to get around the New Forest area? Then check out the New Forest open-top tour bus, or 38 activities and attractions in Bournemouth, which is only about 20 minutes from Brockenhurst by train.
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