It lies close to the border between Dorset and Hampshire, near Ringwood, Verwood and Ferndown.

The joint population including two electoral wards (east & west) had risen to 6,859 at the 2011 Census.

[1][2] The village has a shop and post office, a doctor's surgery, an ex-services club and two public houses.

A youth club is situated in Braeside Park, St Leonards, next to the scout hut and the village hall.

To the north is Moors Valley Country Park which has many attractions such as train rides, cycle tracks, a fishing lake and a café.