Ashley Baptist Church

Standing quietly in the countryside between Christchurch and New Milton, this modest Baptist church serves the small community of Ashley. Built in traditional red brick with simple Gothic windows, it's the sort of unpretentious village chapel that dotted rural England in the Victorian era.

The church itself is small - probably seats around 80 people at most - with wooden pews and clear glass windows that let in plenty of light. There's a small graveyard with some interesting headstones if you're into local history, though nothing particularly ancient. Services are still held regularly, so you'll want to be respectful if visiting during worship times.

Honestly, unless you're specifically interested in local church architecture or have family connections to the area, this isn't going to fill much of your holiday itinerary. It's pleasant enough for a brief stop if you're cycling through the New Forest lanes, but there's not much to see beyond the building itself.

Families staying at nearby Hoburne Bashley or Shorefield Country Park might cycle past on their way to explore the forest proper. The church sits on quiet country roads that are lovely for walking, though you'll get more bang for your buck heading to the actual New Forest trails that start just a few miles north.