New Forest pubs - are these ones the oldest around?

In fact, the New Forest was originally designated as such by William the Conqueror in 1079 – so it’s almost 1,000 years old.

And what comes with virtually any dwelling from the past?

Pubs and alcohol, of course.

And with that, we take a look into some of the New Forest’s oldest pubs.

The forest isn’t short of a pub or two, so if you think any others should be on this list, let us know in the comments below.

Fleur de Lys, Lymington

This is the oldest pub in the New Forest. There is a traceable history of landlords beginning in 1498 at Fleur de Lys, which served its first pint back in 1096.

The Waterloo Arms, Lyndhurst

The Waterloo Arms is a thatched pub that dates back to the 17th Century

The New Forest Inn, Emery Down

Founded in the 18th century, the New Forest Inn started off as a caravan selling ale.

The Ferryman, Lymington

This former thatched pub, rebuilt in 1908. The Ferryman was used in the 18th century for donkeys and carts before boarding the ferry to town.

The Plough Inn, Lymington

The Plough Inn’s rustic but charming building dates back to the 16th century.

The Green Dragon, Brook

There are records of the Green Dragon as far back as the 15th century. The building was originally occupied by a wheelwright and a coffin maker, but some 200 years ago it became a beer house.

The Crown Stirrup, Lyndhurst

The Crown Stirrup has served Lyndhurst locals and visitors since the 15th century.

The Master Builder's House Hotel, Buckler's Hard

The Master Builder's is separated from a row of red-brick cottages from the 18th century by a grassy area that was used to construct several famous warships at the time.

The Swan, Lyndhurst

The Swan is not a particularly old pub at all - in fact, it only dates back to 2008. However, the original building dated back to at least 1789 and was destroyed by fire in 2006.

The Alice Lisle, Ringwood

The Alice Lisle has only been a pub since the 1960s but the building was a school long before then. Alice Lisle was beheaded in 1685 for harbouring fugitives of the Battle of Sedgemoor at her Moyles Court home, Rockford.