A working waterside village
The village is home to Marchwood Military Port, built during the Second World War to help produce components for the Mulberry harbours used in the Normandy landings, and it remains a working military and container port. Marchwood also has a power station nearby and sits close to Southampton FC's Staplewood training ground, and the settlement gets a mention in the Domesday Book.
New Forest district, not New Forest park
New Forest District Council is the local planning authority, but Marchwood itself sits outside the actual New Forest National Park boundary. The council's own local plan treats Marchwood, together with Totton and Hythe, as one of the Waterside settlements lying between the park and Southampton Water rather than inside it.
On the water, next to Southampton
Marchwood sits directly on Southampton Water, facing the city across the estuary, which puts it within easy reach of Southampton while keeping a village feel of its own.
Frequently asked questions
Does the New Forest National Park boundary reach Marchwood?+
No. New Forest District Council is the planning authority, but the village sits outside the National Park boundary, in the Waterside area between the park and Southampton Water.
What is Marchwood Military Port used for?+
It was built during the Second World War for production linked to the Mulberry harbours used in the Normandy landings, and it continues to operate as a working military and container port today.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Winchester City Council — Planning applications service for the Winchester district, covering Winchester itself along with Otterbourne, Colden Common, Fisher's Pond, Brambridge and Highbridge.
- Test Valley Borough Council — Planning applications service for Test Valley, covering Romsey, Chilworth, Ampfield and North Baddesley.
- Southampton City Council — Planning applications service for Southampton.
- Planning Portal — Independent, government-backed guidance on when a garden building needs planning permission and when it may fall under permitted development.