Pictures of Fritham

About Fritham

Fritham is an idyllic New Forest village, which was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It is quite off the beaten track in an area where visitors can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere amongst lovely natural surroundings.

The village suffers from the loss of many local services, but perhaps, if anything this adds to its overall tranquillity. An unspoilt village pub remains, and Fritham Lodge is an attractive listed building. There are pleasant Victorian buildings and a number of small typical "forest" properties that give the village its character. Features of the village include its attractive lay out of narrow winding lanes, the water tower at the entrance to Fritham Lodge (this house may have been a hunting lodge for Charles II), and the Royal Oak, which is the only thatched property remaining in Fritham.

Prior to the 19th-century when a school was founded in 1860 on land at Fritham House, the children of the village had to suffer a long walk to attend school in Bramshaw. Once again, the village is without a school, this is caused largely by new thinking on the part of the Government, and a dwindling population. The former schoolhouse is now a private dwelling.

Before the new hunting laws came into being this was famous hunting country, the New Forest has been hunted by the King's and Queens of centuries, and the local hunt were a common sight in and around this village.

Fritham offers visitors the opportunity of exploring countryside of beautiful countryside on foot, bicycle or horse (there are close-by riding stables) and those wishing to take in famous near-by towns will find Salisbury, Winchester, Bournemouth and Portsmouth within easy driving distance.