Fordingbridge Museum

07/05/2026

The Green Lungs of Fordingbridge
On Thursday 14th May there will be a talk by Fordingbridge Greener Living on their progress on and future plans for, the woodlands between Green Lane and Normandy Way. This will be at Avonway Community Centre, Fordingbridge as part of the AGM of Fordingbridge Museum. The meeting will start at 2.30 pm.
Louise Tonkin of Fordingbridge Greener living said, In May 2025 a benefactor bought the land on behalf of the community and a group of dedicated volunteers have been brought together to manage the land for the next two years. The primary purpose is to provide a haven for nature, enhancing biodiversity and encouraging a wide range of bird, insects and wildlife. In the long term the intention is to raise funds to buy the land and create suitable access so that people can come and enjoy peace and quiet. It will be a space for gentle contemplation and enjoyment of the natural environment.
The talk will be an opportunity for local people to find out about the project and to ask any questions about it.”

24/04/2026

100 years ago in Fordingbridge, they knew how to campaign for elections.

Some things don’t improve with time.

18/04/2026

✨ Hello Dolly! A New Display at Fordingbridge Museum ✨
Step into a world of nostalgia and childhood memories with our brand new “Hello Dolly” display at Fordingbridge Museum.
From beautifully crafted Victorian dolls to the much-loved favourites of more recent decades, this charming exhibition celebrates the dolls we grew up with—and the ones we never quite forgot. 💕
Whether you remember dressing your Sindy, cuddling your Baby Annabell, or simply admire the artistry of older dolls, there’s something here to make you smile.
👶👗 A perfect visit for all ages
🧸 Full of character, history, and a touch of magic
📍 Now on display at Fordingbridge Museum
Come along and see how toys—and childhood—have changed through the years. You might just spot an old friend…

10/04/2026

🌲 A story from Sandy Balls…
In the 1930s, at the height of the Great Depression, unemployed men from the cities came to Sandy Balls near Godshill.
They joined the Grith Fyrd — an outdoor camp where they gave up their unemployment benefit to live and work on the land, building a simple life shaped by fresh air, hard work and companionship. (“Grith Fyrd” meaning a peace army or community living in harmony.)
At the museum, this story is brought to life through a 1930s “Beauty Spot Holiday” brochure, period photographs, and a remarkable short film.
🎬 “It’s a Great Life” (1934) shows real scenes from the camp — just scan the QR code in the display to watch it for free.
📍 A powerful piece of local history — come and discover it at Fordingbridge Museum

05/04/2026

New Forest stories you don’t hear often…
We all know Augustus John… but how much do you know about Sven Berlin?
Artist, writer, and outsider, Berlin arrived in the New Forest in a gypsy wagon and captured the last days of the Romany way of life here — a world few were allowed to see.
Join author Sonia Aarons-Green (who knew him personally) for a powerful and fascinating talk exploring Berlin’s life, art, and his deep connection to the New Forest Romany community.
🗓 Friday 24th April
📍 Avonway Community Centre
🕢 7.30pm
🎟 £10 (includes light refreshments + bar)
👉 Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/fordingbridge-museum
👉 Or from the Museum / Tina at Timothy’s
✨ Come and discover the story behind the name you should know.

01/04/2026

👀 Have you spotted it yet?
The Fordingbridge statue has been moved — and it’s now right in the centre of the High Street!
What was once easy to miss is now a real focal point for the town, giving this important piece of our history the spotlight it deserves.
Fordingbridge Museum has been pleased to support the move, helping share the story behind the statue and why it matters to the town.
And… we’re now OPEN for the season! 🎉
Pop in and discover more about Fordingbridge’s history, including the stories behind landmarks just like this one.
🕚 Open 11–4
🎟 Free entry
Come and have a look — both in the street and inside the museum!

31/03/2026

🎉 We’re OPEN today! 🎉
📍 Fordingbridge Museum
🗓 Tuesday 31st March
⏰ 11am – 4pm

28/03/2026

27/03/2026

Avonway Community Centre, Fordingbridge on Friday 24th April 7.30 pm and tickets cost £10

The Artist and Author Sven Berlin
Author, journalist and expert in New Forest history Sonia Aarons-Green, will be giving a talk about the painter, sculptor and writer Sven Berlin at Avonway Community Centre, Fordingbridge on Friday 24th April.
Sonia Aarons-Green knew Sven Berlin and published his definitive biography “Timeless Man” in 2016. She will explore the connections of Sven Berlin to the world of New Forest Gypsies and the Romany way of life. His interest in Romany culture was a passion he shared with his friend and Fordingbridge resident the artist Augustus John.
Berlin arrived in the New Forest in 1953 in a Gypsy wagon and was granted a rare opportunity to record the last days of the Romany people in the New Forest when he lived at Home Farm in Emery Down. He made numerous paintings and drawings of the Romany people and also wrote a book “Dromengro” which is Romany for “Man of the Road”.
Jon Ingham, Chairman of the Friends of Fordingbridge Museum, said, “Most people know about Augustus John but not so much about his friend Sven Berlin. He was initially a member of the St Ives artist community and later lived in the New Forest for many years. Sven deserves to be better known and this talk will do much to inform people about his life and work”
The talk begins at 7.30 pm and tickets cost £10 and are available from Fordingbridge Museum, Tina at Timothy’s in Fordingbridge High Street. Light refreshments will be served and there will be a bar open

19/01/2026

A different kind of training day at the museum — local sniffer dogs using the space to practise scent work.”