Fordingbridge and the surrounding area is a fascinating corner of Hampshire, almost isolated from the rest of the county by the heathlands of the New Forest. The town itself nestles in the valley of the River Avon, and it was an important crossing point. To north and south lie the fertile ‘valley villages’ of Breamore, Burgate and Bickton. To the east, the ‘forest-edge villages’ of Hale, Woodgreen, Godshill, Blissford, Stucton, Frogham, Hyde and North Gorley; while to the west Rockbourne, Damerham, Martin and Whitsbury form the ‘chalk downland villages’.