Brockenhurst is probably a Saxon name meaning "badgers' wood", and the town is centrally located for exploring the forest. It is situated on the main north-south route through the forest, the A337.
It is a small, lively and predominantly residential town of thatched cottages and ancient inns, not least of all the oddly named "Snakecatcher Inn". This is thought to refer to the large numbers of adders that abound within the forest, which presumably required some form of culling during earlier times. No doubt, some worthy from the village performed what sounds like a less-than-enviable task.
If you take a right turn just to the north of the town, onto an unmarked lane, you will find St Nicholas' Church, situated on this site since circa 800 AD and the oldest church in the forest. It was rebuilt in 1086 by the Normans, using much of the old Saxon walling that once enclosed the yard. The small graveyard also contains many Commonwealth War graves from both global conflicts.