The Railway Hotel, Fordingbridge
A historic Victorian hotel, pub and dining destination in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, welcoming locals and visitors for food, drink and distinctive boutique accommodation.
The Railway Hotel has been a Fordingbridge landmark for more than 160 years. Built in the 1860s by Dorchester brewer Eldridge Pope, the hotel originally served passengers travelling through the nearby Fordingbridge Railway Station on the Salisbury and Dorset Railway line.
Following a major refurbishment that carefully restored the Victorian building and celebrated its railway heritage, The Railway Hotel reopened under new management on 5 August 2026.
A Fordingbridge hotel built for the railway age
The history of The Railway Hotel is closely connected with the arrival of the railway in Fordingbridge and the Victorian expansion of the town.
The Railway Hotel was built in the 1860s by Dorchester brewer Eldridge Pope and originally served passengers using Fordingbridge Railway Station.
The station stood on the Salisbury and Dorset Railway line, making the hotel part of the experience of arriving in and departing from Fordingbridge during the golden age of railway travel.
That history remains central to the character of the hotel today. Its restoration, bedrooms and dining spaces have all been designed to retain the Victorian character of the building while celebrating its connection with classic railway travel.
The hotel is built
Dorchester brewer Eldridge Pope builds The Railway Hotel to serve passengers using Fordingbridge Railway Station.
Serving Fordingbridge
The hotel becomes part of the town's railway story beside the Salisbury and Dorset Railway line.
Victorian character restored
A major refurbishment lasting around two years restores the building with careful attention to its heritage.
A new chapter
The Railway Hotel reopens under new management on 5 August 2026.
A new chapter for The Railway Hotel
The Railway Hotel officially reopened on 5 August 2026 under new publican Jason Schinkel.
Jason brings extensive hospitality experience to The Railway Hotel following his tenure at The Three Lions and, previously, the Horse and Groom in Woodgreen.
The initial focus is firmly on the pub and dining, serving a selection of meals and lighter bites, while the hotel's distinctive accommodation is also available for visitors looking for somewhere to stay in the Fordingbridge area.
The reopening brings one of Fordingbridge's longstanding hospitality landmarks back into use for local residents, diners and visitors to the area.
Visit The Railway Hotel
Eat, drink and stay in Fordingbridge
The Railway Hotel combines a welcoming pub and dining experience with individually designed accommodation inspired by the golden age of railway travel.
Stay
Five individually designed en-suite guest rooms offer distinctive accommodation for visitors staying in Fordingbridge, alongside a self-contained two-bedroom cottage.
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Eat
The Railway Hotel serves a selection of meals and lighter bites, with dining spaces designed to evoke the glamour and character of classic railway travel.
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Drink
The pub is once again open for Fordingbridge residents and visitors, whether you are dropping in for a drink or joining us before or after something to eat.
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Inspired by iconic railway journeys
The refurbishment introduced five individually designed en-suite guest rooms, each celebrating the glamour and romance of classic railway travel.
Rooms are named after iconic trains including the Orient Express, Bournemouth Belle and Flying Scotsman, with interiors designed around the character and romance of the railway age.
The Railway Hotel also has a self-contained two-bedroom cottage and accessible guest facilities, providing additional options for visitors looking for accommodation in the Fordingbridge area.
Discover Our Rooms
Victorian character brought back to life
The reopening followed a major refurbishment by Larasian that took around two years to complete.
Particular attention was given to preserving and celebrating the heritage of this Victorian Fordingbridge building while creating a hotel, pub and dining destination for today.
The railway story now continues throughout the property, from the individually designed bedrooms to dining areas inspired by the golden age of rail travel.
Stay, eat and drink in Fordingbridge
The Railway Hotel is located on Station Road in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, welcoming local residents as well as visitors staying in and exploring the surrounding area.
With pub, dining and accommodation together in one historic property, The Railway Hotel provides a convenient place to meet, eat or stay while visiting Fordingbridge.
Our five en-suite bedrooms and two-bedroom cottage also make the hotel a useful base for guests looking for accommodation in the Fordingbridge area and those travelling on to explore the wider New Forest and Hampshire countryside.
Explore The Local Area
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 1DG
Visit The Railway Hotel
Join Jason and the team for a drink, something to eat or a stay at this historic Fordingbridge hotel.