Brockenhurst, a village and a parish in Hants. The village stands, enshrouded in wood, in the New Forest, on the river Boldre, 4 miles N by W of Lymington, with a station on the L. & S.W.R., 92 from London. A railway has been made from Brockenhurst to Christchurch, shortening the distance to Bournemouth by about 19 miles. It has a post, money order, and telegraph office (R.S.O.) The parish lies wholly in the New Forest, and comprises 4044 acres; population of the civil parish, 1298; of the ecclesiastical, 1347. Brockenhurst Park has charming forest scenery, and some very fine old oaks, and is a meet for the New Forest Harriers. Brockenhurst Lodge or Watcombe House was for three years the residence of Howard the philanthropist. Sway Common, in the vicinity, has several tumuli. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Winchester; gross value, £150 with residence. The church crowns a knoll about 1/2 a mile S of the village ; is variously Saxon, very Early Norman, Late Norman, and Early English, but has been much remodelled, and contains an ancient square Norman font of Purbeck marble. There is also a Baptist chapel. An enormous yew tree and a grand ivy-clad oak are in the churchyard.
