Location and directions
New Forest Marathon Location: How Do I Get There?
Welcome to the New Forest Marathon location page — everything you need to know about getting to Brockenhurst, Hampshire, whether you’re travelling by road, rail, shuttle bus or bike.
The New Forest Marathon is based near Brockenhurst in the heart of New Forest National Park, Hampshire — one of the few National Parks in England that’s genuinely commutable from London. A free shuttle bus runs from Brockenhurst railway station to the Race Village on race day.
Venue Address
New Forest Marathon, The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QH
Car park entrance gate: What3words: ///forklift.switched.delivers
How Close Is the New Forest Marathon?
The New Forest Marathon is held near Brockenhurst, Hampshire — genuinely close to London, Southampton, Bournemouth and the wider South of England. Here’s how long it takes to reach the Brockenhurst area:
| From | By Train | By Car |
| London Waterloo | 1hr 30mins direct to Brockenhurst | ~2hrs 30mins |
| Southampton | ~20 mins | 23 mins |
| Bournemouth | ~20 mins | 43 mins |
| Portsmouth | ~1hr 35mins | 50 mins |
| Poole | ~40 mins | 1 hour |
| Winchester | ~35 mins | 38 mins |
| Reading | ~1 hour | 1hr 30mins |
All times approximate — please check National Rail before travelling.
These times get you to Brockenhurst — not to the Race Village itself. Please read “Please Allow Extra Time” below before planning your journey.
Please Allow Extra Time on Race Day
With over 5,000 runners taking part, please build in significantly more time than the table above suggests. The times shown get you to the local area — not to the start line.
Once you arrive, you’ll still need to:
Park at New Park Showground — parking is extensive, so you may be several fields’ walk from the Race Village
Allow for the shuttle bus if you’re arriving by train (which run every 20 mins from Brockenhurst station)
Register, collect your number if needed, and get to the start
Warm up before your race
Please be aware that there will be a number of temporary road closures on race day which may alter your normal route in.
Race mornings also see heavier traffic than usual around Brockenhurst, as thousands of runners and supporters arrive at once.
We strongly recommend arriving well in advance before your race start time — please don’t cut it fine!
Getting Here Without a Car
By rail
There are regular trains from London, Bournemouth, Southampton and Lymington to Brockenhurst station.
Plan your rail journey with Trainline →
By shuttle bus
A shuttle bus runs from Brockenhurst railway station to New Park Showground (Race Village/Start and Finish area) on a 20-minute loop, from 7am to 5pm. The cost is £6 one way or £8.50 return.
By public bus
There are regular services from Bournemouth, Southampton and Lymington. For queries about public transport to the Showground, contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 (calls charged at 10p/min).
By bicycle
You’re welcome to cycle to New Park Farm Showground via the roads or forest tracks. We have a free bike parking area inside the Race Village — please bring your own lock.
Driving Directions
For the quickest route, please use the directions below rather than the A337 from Cadnam to Lyndhurst.
From the East (London, Winchester, Southampton)
Leave the M3 at Junction 13, joining the M27 signposted West.
Leave the M27 at Junction 2.
Take the A326.
At the signalled junction, take the A35 to Lyndhurst.
Enter Lyndhurst.
At Lyndhurst, bear left to Brockenhurst (A35).
Keep in the left-hand lane and continue forward onto Gosport Lane, A337, signposted Lymington.
Continue for 3km — the Showground is on your right.
From the West (Dorchester, Weymouth, Bournemouth, Poole)
Follow the A31, signposted Ringwood then Southampton.
Branch left off the A31 just before joining the M27, signposted Lyndhurst.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit, staying on the A31 signposted Cadnam.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A336, signposted Totton, Netley Marsh.
Continue to Netley Marsh.
Turn right onto the A326.
At the signalled junction, take the A35 to Lyndhurst.
At Lyndhurst, bear left to Brockenhurst (A35).
Keep in the left-hand lane and continue forward onto Gosport Lane, A337, signposted Lymington.
Continue for 3km — the Showground is on your right.
Where do I park?
New Park Showground has extensive on-site parking, just a short walk from the Race Village and Start/Finish area — plenty of room for runners and spectators alike.
We strongly advise pre-booking your car-parking when you enter your race. Parking costs £5 for the day, and can be purchased when signing up.
If you are arriving by car, please use the following What3words address, as it will direct you to the correct entrance gate for the car park: What3words: ///forklift.switched.delivers
What’s nearby?
Brockenhurst itself is a classic New Forest village, with cafes, pubs and shops within easy walking distance of the station. The wider New Forest National Park is right on your doorstep too, so it’s easy to make a weekend of your visit.
Race Day Times
Once you’ve found your way to the New Forest Marathon location, here’s when each race starts:
| Race | Start Time |
| Full Marathon | 10:00am |
| Half Marathon | 10:45am |
| 10K | 11:15am |
| Woodland Walk | 11:15am |
| 5K | 11:30am |
| Junior 200m / 1 Mile | 3:30pm |
Compare all the New Forest Marathon races →
