River Of Life

Down a quiet residential street just outside New Milton sits this modern evangelical church that draws visitors from across the New Forest area. River Of Life operates as both a place of worship and community hub, with contemporary services that tend to be more informal than traditional Anglican offerings. The building itself is fairly unremarkable from the outside - a practical brick structure that won't win architectural prizes but serves its congregation well.

Families staying at the nearby Hoburne Bashley or other holiday parks sometimes pop in for Sunday services, particularly those looking for a welcoming atmosphere rather than ancient church architecture. The congregation is friendly enough, though don't expect historic charm or centuries-old stonework here. Services typically run to about an hour, with modern worship music and accessible preaching.

Whether it's worth seeking out depends entirely on your reasons for visiting. If you're after spiritual fellowship during your New Forest holiday, it's a decent option that's well-placed for the cluster of campsites around Bashley and New Milton. History buffs and those hunting for proper old English parish churches should probably head elsewhere in the area instead.