Walking in the New Forest

30 Walks in the New Forest National Park

By Steve Davison

ISBN

9781852848774

Availability

Published

13 Feb 2020

Edition

Second

Pages

208

Size

17.2 x 11.6 x 1.2cm

Weight

230g

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A guidebook to 30 walks of between 3 and 10 miles set throughout the New Forest National Park in Hampshire and Wiltshire. Routes explore ancient woodland, heather-clad heath and dramatic coastline, all within easy reach of Southampton, Bournemouth and Salisbury. Walks for all abilities, easily combined to create longer challenges.

Seasons

Walking in the New Forest is good at any time of the year. Spring brings new life into the forest, summers are mild and the ground is usually dry making walking easier, though this is peak tourist season. Autumn brings vivid displays of colour and good clear days, winter has the least number of visitors, though some of the routes can become rather wet underfoot

Centres

The main towns within the New Forest are Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, with Lymington, Ringwood and Fordingbridge lying just outside it. The New Forest is easily accessible from larger centres, including Southampton, Bournemouth (both with airports), Salisbury and Winchester.

Difficulty

Walks are on fairly flat terrain with no real climbs, and paths range from good gravel tracks to narrow paths over open heath. There are some stream crossings without bridges, although these should not pose any difficulties unless there has been heavy rainfall. Navigation is normally straightforward, though care is sometimes required on indistinct paths over open heath, or through woods.

Must See

Walks cover all areas of the New Forest National Park, including forests, ancient and ornamental woods, open heaths, rivers and coastal stretches. They pass numerous places of interest, from historic churches to ancient sites. The area is also a great place for seeing wildlife, everything from New Forest ponies to all six of Britain's native reptiles.

ISBN

9781852848774

Availability

Published

13 Feb 2020

Edition

Second

Pages

208

Size

17.2 x 11.6 x 1.2cm

Weight

230g

Overview: This guidebook presents 30 walks in the New Forest in Hampshire and Wiltshire, Britain's smallest National Park. Easily accessible from Southampton, Bournemouth, Salisbury and Winchester, the New Forest encompasses varied landscapes, from ancient woodlands to open heaths, rivers and coastline. Routes of between 5 and 16km (3 and 10 miles) explore the Forest, mainly on fairly flat terrain, often on well-defined tracks and paths. Most walks are suitable for all the family and many can be combined to make longer outings.
Each walk is described in detail, highlighting the many points of interest in this area - ancient sites and castles, picture postcard villages with thatched cottages or historic churches - with fascinating background detail. An extract of 1:25,000 OS mapping makes each route easy to follow, and suggestions for refreshment stops like pubs and tea rooms are included. All walks offer a good chance of seeing wildlife, including the famous New Forest ponies.
This area has been protected and nurtured by ancient laws for over 900 years, and is the largest remaining area of lowland heath in Europe. It is this sense of history and the unique patchwork of habitats that make walking in the New Forest National Park such a rewarding experience.
Table of Contents: Contents
Introduction
Plants and wildlife
Geology
History of the New Forest
Walking in the New Forest
Getting to the New Forest
Getting around the New Forest
Food and drink
Where to stay
Countryside codes
Your safety
Access and rights of way
The New Forest online
Longer walks and long-distance routes
Maps
Using this guide
Walk 1 Langley Wood and Hamptworth
Walk 2 Godshill and Castle Hill
Walk 3 Hatchet Green and Woodgreen
Walk 4 Bramshaw Telegraph and Eyeworth Pond
Walk 5 Bramshaw Church and Nomansland
Walk 6 Abbots Well and Alderhill Inclosure
Walk 7 Fritham and Cadman’s Pool
Walk 8 Janesmoor Pond and the Rufus Stone
Walk 9 High Corner Inn and Ogden’s Purlieu
Walk 10 Appleslade Bottom to Rockford via Ibsley Common
Walk 11 Castle Piece and Linford Brook
Walk 12 Exploring Bolderwood
Walk 13 Minstead and Furzey Gardens
Walk 14 Portuguese Fireplace and the Knightwood Oak
Walk 15 Bank and Gritnam
Walk 16 Ober Water and Blackwater Arboretum
Walk 17 Holmsley Walk and Burley
Walk 18 Wilverley Inclosure and Castleman’s Corkscrew
Walk 19 Lyndhurst and Bolton’s Bench
Walk 20 Ashurst figure-of-eight
Walk 21 Beaulieu Road and Bishop’s Dyke
Walk 22 King’s Hat, Dibden Bottom and the Beaulieu River
Walk 23 Stubby Copse Inclosure and Balmer Lawn
Walk 24 Brockenhurst and Dilton
Walk 25 Hatchet Pond and Hawkhill Inclosure
Walk 26 Beaulieu River from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard
Walk 27 Setley Common and Boldre Church
Walk 28 Exploring the coastline from Lymington to Keyhaven
Walk 29 Milford on Sea and Hurst Castle
Walk 30 Lepe and Exbury

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contact information
Appendix C Glossary
Appendix D Bibliography
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Steve Davison

Steve Davison is a freelance writer and photographer who has written several walking guides. He has also written for a number of outdoor magazines and other publications, including local and national newspapers, specialising in hill walking and European travel, with interests in nature, geology and the countryside. A keen hill walker for many years and a Mountain Leader, Steve has also worked as a part-time outdoor education instructor. He is also a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild.

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