Within 1/2 a mile, there are familiar shops such as Waitrose, Tesco, Boots etc plus a multitude of independent shops, restaurants and pubs. Every Saturday the High street comes alive with the weekly market selling everything from meat, veg, baked goods and fish to plants, clothes, crafts and Jewellery.
In the other direction, and only 1/2 a mile, you have the open forest with miles of tracks and the wonderful New Forest ponies to explore. There are beaches close by, and the Ferry to the Isle of Wight is within walking distance.
There is so much to do in the area that all tastes and ages are well catered for.