Sway is a popular and vibrant village that lies on the southern edge of the New Forest National Park. It is just 3 miles from Brockenhurst, and 4 miles from the Georgian coastal town of Lymington and the Solent. This delightful New Forest village is privilaged with a railway station that connects the London mainline to Bournemouth. It is also served by an hourly service to other New Forest stations such as Brockenhurst, Beaulieu Road and Ashurst, with connections at Brockenhurst for Lymington.
Sway and it`s surrounding areas of outstanding beauty is well known as a place of tranquility, it offers visitors a small selection of shops, accommodation, pubs with great food and ales, various little cafés and it`s a place that doesn`t appear to attract the masses, which can happen in other villages throughout the Summer season.
Come and experience the rich and diverse surrounding countryside Sway has to offer, there is a network of public footpaths, cycle trails and extensive areas of beautiful grassed open plain are primarily north of the village. Easy to follow tracks and footpaths lead to Brockenhurst, and also towards Burley, another well known favourite situated in the New Forest National Park.
For shorter walks (ranging 1 – 3 miles) amongst tall pine trees and oaks there are well constructed tracks in Setthorns Inclosure, lying just on the edge of the village. There is also the opportunity to roam the open grassed expanses of Long Slade, which offers superb views of the New Forest. Both give access to longer walks across the National Park.
The disused railway line is part of the National Cycling Network that leads to popular cycle tracks in Wilverley, Wootton Coppice, Brownhill Inclosures and also to Brockenhurst. Alternatively there is the open gorse grassed area of Widden Bottom, with paths to Shirley Holms. Access to the coast at pretty Keyhaven is around 4 miles away and for walkers and cyclists can be reached mostly on minor roads via South Sway and Flexford Lanes.
Things To Do And See In Sway
- Sway Tower is of particular architectural interest, so it may well be worth taking a look at. It is among Southern England`s most striking landmarks. Judge Andrew Peterson retired to Sway in the New Forest during the 1880s after a career in the Indian legal system. He was in awe of the towers he had witnessed being built in India from mud and cement, and decided to construct his own tower.
- This area is situated in the midst of the forest so take delight in the walks and rides that surround you.
- Eat or drink at one of the fantastic pubs in Sway. Traditional British pub food and ales are on offer to compliment a day out walking, cycling or horse riding in the forest.
- Take a train into Bournemouth and its beaches or the port of Southampton. You can even travel up to London from Sway.
History Of Sway
During Victorian times in Sway village used to stand Arnewood House, which was the home of The Children of the New Forest in Captain Marryat’s 1847 book. Sadly it was later destroyed by fire. Marryat also used the surrounding countryside as the setting for his book.
During World War II, an Emergency Landing Ground for aircraft was established just south of the village. It was used by aircraft based at RAF Christchurch for overnight stays, with the idea it would protect them from German attack at Christchurch. However, this encouraged the Luftwaffe to bomb Sway instead, and after several attacks it was forced to close after just one year.
Upon Its arrival in the late 1880s the railway opened up new opportunities and the following decades saw the village of Sway expand impressively. Today regular train services link the village with London, Dorset and all points North.