Discover Hordle: Coast, Nature and History

Hordle combines coastal landscapes, trails through natural areas and an unusually rich history. Anyone planning a trip to southern England will find both specific outdoor experiences and historic places that bring the character of the community to life. When choosing a holiday apartment in Hordle, the main consideration is therefore whether you would prefer to spend your days on the coast, on trails through the countryside or making cultural discoveries.

Coastal Trails and Landscapes Around Hordle

The Hordle Cliffs Accessible Trail is a 2-mile coastal path along surfaced trails. This makes it possible to incorporate time on the coast into a clearly defined route. The car park at Hordle Cliffs has six accessible parking spaces, accessible toilets and a café. These facilities are part of the car park and can be taken into account when planning your day.

Some public rights of way from Hordle lead to the coast and to the heathland of the New Forest National Park north of the community. The northern part of the community extends into the New Forest National Park at the hamlet of Tiptoe. There are 8.55 km of footpaths within the community; the entire network of public rights of way comprises 18 routes.

Nature itself also offers remarkable details. Hordle Cliff consists of relatively soft sand and clay cliffs containing fossil-bearing sediments from the Upper Eocene. These include well-preserved remains of turtles, crocodiles, mammals and bald cypress trees. Golden Hill Woods contains elements of ancient woodland. In addition, there are 19 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation in the community of Hordle and along its boundaries. Most of these areas are characterised by broadleaf woodlands classified as ancient or semi-natural. Former coppice woodlands and species-rich meadows provide habitats for a great diversity of flora and fauna.

Historic Places and Stories

The Church of All Saints in Hordle forms part of the area’s cultural history. It was built in 1872 by CE Giles in the Early English Gothic style. Anyone wishing to spend some quiet time in the church can use it for silent reflection on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. However, the history of the place goes back further: the first church in Hordle mentioned in documentary records stood around 1100 near the coast at Hordle Cliff and was served by Augustinian canons from Christchurch Priory.

Further traces of the past can be seen in the Hordle War Memorial, a Grade II listed building. It commemorates the war years of 1918 and 1945. Barn Cottage in the community is a late-medieval timber-framed building with red brick infill. The New Forest Shakers are also part of the area’s history; they lived in the community of Hordle in the 19th century. The former coastal village of Hordle was destroyed by the sea, making it an explicitly historic part of the place’s history.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

A holiday apartment in Hordle can serve as a base for days with different focuses: if you are planning coastal trails, nature watching and visits to historic sites, the specific location of the accommodation should match your personal priorities. Families can combine different interests, for example a visit to Hordle Cliffs with a more peaceful visit to the church or with exploring the landscape.

Further Places for Regional Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also visit these places: Hartley Wintney, Titchfield, New Milton, Ringwood, Rockbourne, Barton on Sea, Ellingham and Farnborough.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hampshire.