Forest Arts Centre

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Forest Arts is a lively and friendly multi arts form arts centre situated in the heart of the New Forest, Hampshire.

The Centre offers a wide range of professional performances staged in the 150 seat studio theatre. We also have fantastic facilities and a huge array of activities in our professional dance studio, workshop space, licensed café bar and gallery area, including a programme of visual arts exhibitions.

Education, community projects and outreach also play a large part in the work of Forest Arts with extensive partnership working throughout the New Forest District.

Forest Arts Centre is a Hampshire County Council Arts Centre in receipt of additional support from New Forest District Council.

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday: 9.00am-5.00pm

The centre is also open in the evening during classes or when performances take place.

Please note the centre is not open on a Saturday during August.

To check the opening hours for any day or evening please call the Box Office on 01425 612393 or email;

forest-arts@hants.gov.uk

Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on the type of performance or workshop, however, tickets for performance range from £4 - £14 (with concessions for senior citizens, children under 16, full time students, anyone with disabilities and people in receipt of benefits).

One-day workshops range from £6 - £35 and regular workshops range from £12 - £45 for a term with a concessionary price for all adult workshops.

Entrance to the visual arts exhibitions is free and Forest Arts run free workshops on occasion, usually linked to outreach events.

Contact Forest Arts or consult our brochure / website for specific prices.

Location

New Milton

By Car – We are situated half way between Christchurch and Lymington on the A337, at the southern edge of the New Forest, Hampshire.

Taking the B3058, off the A35, into New Milton town, turn right at the second set of traffic lights after the train station. Forest Arts is on the left at the end of Old Milton Road.

Address / Contact Details

Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6DS

Telephone: 01425 612393

Fax: 01425 616340

Email: forest.arts@hants.gov.uk

Website: www.forest-arts.co.uk (The website is in the process of being updated to become more accessible)

Accessible Parking

Parking accessible to disabled visitors is available in designated bays in front of the entrance to the Centre.

There is a sloping ramp with hand rails to enter the front doors of the Centre, which open automatically.

There is free on site parking however overflow parking is available in the New Milton Junior School (adjacent to the Centre on Old Milton Road) on weekends and in the evenings.

Public Transport

By Train – We are about a 15 minute walk from New Milton railway station, which is on the main line between London and Weymouth.

The Arts Centre Building

The Centre is a single story building with ramp access at the centre’s front entrance, Dance Studio, Get In, backstage and Theatre entrances. There is also a

fully accessible Dressing Room with shower facilities.

The reception desk is near the front entrance.

Accessible Toilets

An accessible toilet for wheelchair users is located next to the other facilities near the foyer and Studio Theatre.

Access

Forest Arts is committed to customer care and as such accessibility is high on our agenda! The Arts Centre is fully accessible for wheelchair users, however if you could let us know of your requirements when booking we can arrange for members of your party to sit next to you as all our theatre seating is currently ‘unreserved’. The same applies to anyone, with any particular access requirements. Other facilities include an induction loop system at the Box Office and in the Studio Theatre.

All staff are disability / access aware.

Access dogs are welcome throughout the centre.

BSL Signed Events

The centre offers a limited number of sign language interpreted performances. Please phone the Box Office for further information and to book your seat! For more information on the facilities available to our customers email our Operations Co-ordinator Suzy Needle on suzy.needle@hants.gov.uk

Group Visits / Workshops

Exhibition tours, outreach activities and workshops can be tailored to suit independent groups.

Organisations, clubs, societies, educational groups, families and children are also welcome.

To arrange a group visit or event contact Forest Arts on 01425 612393.

Regular and one-off workshops are accessible to individuals with disabilities, contact us to discuss the activity and any specific access needs.

Accessible Format Information   

Forest Arts brochures can be provided in large print format on request and is also accessible through our website at; www.forest-arts.co.uk

 Mailing List

If you would like to receive our standard brochure or large print brochure, detailing all events, please contact Forest Arts to be added to our mailing list.

Membership

Membership support is very important to the Centre. By becoming a Forest Arts Friend you will help us to provide high quality programming.

In return for your support we can offer you exclusive benefits including discounted ticket prices. For more information telephone 01425 619983 or send an email to; Denise Long - Membership Officer denise.long@hants.gov.uk

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