Lyndhurst - Alice's Wonderland Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Lyndhurst, with Detectives helping Alice, the White Rabbit and their friends track down clues scattered around town to solve the mystery of the missing Mad Hatter and a palace guard before the Queen of Hearts catches up with them.

The investigation covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin at Bolton's Bench car park, head into Lyndhurst's town centre, investigate around the Library and New Forest Centre, pass The King's House and The Crown Hotel, follow the churchyard route at St. Michaels and All Angels Church, then loop back near the car park/start area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is an urban town-centre walk on pavements and roads, with a churchyard grassy path, a sloping path and very steep steps that may be slippery when wet.

There are busy roads and places where you need to cross with great care, so keep Mini Detectives close and supervise children closely throughout. Depending on the time of year, one clue may be hidden by leaves, so keep your eyes peeled for evidence.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Bolton's Bench car park, off the B3056 to Beaulieu opposite the fire station, after the cattle grid (SO43 7DA), using ///juggles.leaky.pitching. The route is circular and finishes back near the car park/start area.

By public transport: Make your way to Bolton's Bench car park, off the B3056 to Beaulieu opposite the fire station, after the cattle grid, to begin the case.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort-break intel: toilets are available by the library and New Forest Centre during the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If four-legged Detectives are joining your squad, plan for a town-centre route with pavements, roads, a churchyard grassy path, a sloping path and very steep steps. 🐾

Keep canine companions close around busy roads and road crossings, and take particular care on the steep steps if the ground is wet.

Food & Drink Stops

Solving a Wonderland disappearance can work up an appetite. There are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks around the town, with great pub stops along the way too.

If you prefer to bring your own supplies, pack a picnic to enjoy on the hill at the end of the route.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Boltons Bench

This grassy mound is more than just a handy place to start and finish the investigation. Boltons Bench is named after the Duke of Bolton, a former New Forest Master Keeper, and the nearby banks form the ancient Parc Pale - a huge deer enclosure used for royal hunting from at least the 13th century. Local legend even says this is where the Bisterne Dragon met its end.

New Forest Heritage Centre

The trail leads you to the New Forest Heritage Centre, where the outside of the main entrance becomes part of the evidence hunt. It sits by the Library and Community Centre, making this a natural town-centre pause if your Detectives want to dig a little deeper into Lyndhurst's story.

St. Michaels and All Angels Church

The route takes you through the gate and up the gravestone path, though you do not need to enter the church or leave the grassy path to continue the case. If you do go inside, look out for the striking fresco showing the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, painted by Lord Leighton, who later became President of the Royal Academy. The churchyard also contains the grave of Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration behind Alice in Wonderland.

The King's House

The King's House adds a serious slice of royal intrigue to the investigation. It was originally home to Queen Eleanor of Castile while Edward I was away battling in Wales, and is now the only surviving major building from the Charles I period in the whole of Hampshire. Attached to it is the Verderers Hall, where the Verderers Court still meets to this day.