Ashurst and Lyndhurst, Hampshire

 Ashurst and Lyndhurst

Friday 30th August 2024. With Harry.

We set off around 10 am to do a walk similar to one we did last year, but in reverse. It’s around 12 miles in all.

Through the houses to the main road to Lyndhurst - very busy as usual, but we soon left it and the noise of traffic behind. We took a not very obvious footpath opposite the New Forest Inn, and turned right  into the Woodlands area, with its grassy paths.

We followed the path west  past Ironshill Inclosure, leaving the Lodge hidden in the trees to our left. Then we crossed a gravelled track, and continued ahead for a short distance. There we turned left and walked through some more open land where there was a donkey grazing.

We sought a dry log to sit on and have a coffee break.

We know not to approach the animals, but this fellow took the initiative, in spite of us not feeding him.

There were also a few ponies. Very New Forest.

The path skirts the golf course and head towards the main road once more.

There is an underpass for pedestrians and animals - clearly well-used by the ponies.

Now we climbed the gentle slope of White Moor, making for the ridge close to Beaulieu Road. it was quite hot on this section of the walk, but nothing like last year.

After a mile and a half or so we reached Matley Wood campsite and a shaded section of the walk. This made a surprisingly quiet spot for lunch.

The path continued down hill, and we reached open heathland again.

We turned left along the path towards Ashurst Lodge, crossing the Beaulieu River via a footbridge.

At this point a herd of ponies appeared heading west..

We continued and took the path towards Ashurst Farm, crossing the mainline railway on the way. At Ashurst Farm (marked on the house as Churchplace Cottage, we followed the main track which comes out near the Happy Cheese pub. Once we arrived at the Southampton to Lyndhurst Road, we retraced our steps back to base.

Bike ride from Totton to Beaulieu and Lyndhurst

 Tuesday 22nd August with Harry.

Another beautiful day, sunny not too hot, with a noticeable breeze in places.  After coffee we took the bikes out for a leisurely ride to Beaulieu and back via Lyndhurst . Mocha swirl ice cream at Beaulieu, and a dried up orange near the lake.

 

We returned via Beaulieu Road and Lyndhurst, where we stopped for sandwiches and a pot of tea at The Greenwood Tree.

Just over 20 miles in all.

By bike from Totton to Beaulieu

 Wednesday 24th August 

The weather has improved hugely.  After coffee, around midday we decide to take the bikes for a pootle - to Beaulieu via Deerleap Road and Isley Cross, where the junction has been altered and looks much safer.

We turned off at the Beaulieu House car park entrance, and had to go back on to the main road for the village .

A longish Ice cream stop in the shade today. Everyone seemed chilled out.

Returned via the same route with a detour on foot close to Ipley Cross, where the crossroads have been made much safer recently

- no lizards although it looked a possible place.

18 miles in all, the furthest I have ridden since March in the fens near Boston.

Bike ride from Totton to Brockenhurst, Bolderwood and return via Lyndhurst

Thursday 29 August, with Harry. It's basically the same ride as Monday, in reverse. We tried to find another cut across from Matley Camp site to Brockenhurst, but ended up walking the bikes for about a mile.

Still and all, we saw a lot of puffball mushrooms, and a roof full of house martins - flying around and resting. I imagine they're feeding up ready for their journey south in the not too distant future.

Coffee in the woods, just before the Frohawk Ride, and lunch at Bolderwood. 

Do I have to move again?

28 miles and 630 feet of up and down. Cooler than on Monday, and fewer cars on the roads. It was beautiful weather for cycling.

Not le Mont Ventoux!

Cycling - Totton, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst

Monday 26 August 2019, with Harry.

What a great pattern our GPS trace makes for a rather fine bike ride. Hot bank holiday Monday, and some horrible surfaces on forest tracks. Quite a demanding 28.4 mile ride, but enjoyable!

We headed for Lyndhurst via Deerleap and forest tracks, emerging on to Beaulieu Road, and reaching Lyndhurst near Boltons Bench. We walked through the very crowded and traffic-dense little town, then followed back roads to Emery Down and the Bolderwood car park. A good place for coffee, and it has public toilets. 

We were glad to escape the billowing barbecue smoke and ride downhill all the way into Brockenhurst. A courteous lorry driver held up the traffic while we and others crossed the main road!

Brockenhurst was busy too, and there was a mini traffic jam near Balmer Lawn, but once we'd passed that and were on forest tracks again, we saw very few people - a few families on bikes, a few people walking. 

We found a shaded spot for lunch near the Frohawk Ride.

Then it was back towards Beaulieu Road. We came out a short distance below Matley Wood, then retraced the route to Deerleap and back to base.

Cycling - Lyndhurst, Emery Down, Brockenhurst, Bolderwood circular - and in reverse another day.

About 18 miles each time.

Friday 17 August, and Monday 20 August. With Harry. About 500 feet of climbing, and some rough going on forest gravel tracks. Warm.

Setting off from the Boltons Bench car park, we walked through Lyndhurst with its busy one-way system - if ever a place needed a by pass, this is it!

We took the A337 for a few hundred yards before turning left for Pikes Hill, and continuing to Emery Down. A very narrow road with far too much traffic - I know, it is the height of the tourist season!

We then encountered a very large group of cyclists from Germany, doing a guided cycle tour. Too many in one group for my taste, but whatever floats your boat.

From Emery Down we turned left just after the pub, cycling past Millyford Bridge and the Portuguese Fireplace  climbing steadily towards the Bolderwood parking area, where we paused briefly before heading down Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive, which wasn't too busy and then across the A35 and down Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. This was pretty busy, and at one point we were overtaken by at least 20 motorbikes in a herd! 

We reached Brockenhurst, cycled through the ford and headed for the Buttery cafe for coffee and teacake. No longer full of badger and bear toys - now we have a cock and hen!

After that it was over to Balmerlawn, and following the forest tracks to Lyndhurst.

On Monday we followed the route in reverse. 

Lots of donkey and pony foals in the Forest.

A good stretch of the legs.

New Forest bicycle meander

On forest tracks near Brockenhurst.  Monday 13 August. About 11 miles.

We parked at Brockenhurst and had coffee and teacakes before setting off.

Some of the tracks have fresh gravel which makes for a bumpy ride, but it's away from the constant traffic, and very pleasant.

We met a family from Germany, whose two children were fascinated by the ants.

New Forest Jaunts 5 - Bolderwood to Woods Corner on forest track

Friday 23 Feb 2018. We parked at Bolderwood car park, and walked along tracks heading roughly south west, from the deer viewing area. We walked until we reached Woods Corner which is on a road to Burley.  Good clear tracks, also decent for cycling, sunny, and sheltered from the wind. The complete distance was about 7 miles.

New Forest Jaunts - 4. Hatchet Pond

Thursday 22 Feb. On our return journey from Milford on Sea, we paused here for an extra coffee, since one flask was still full. I did a short wander around - this is the largest body of water within the forest. The pond was full of birds, swans, ducks, a cormorant or two, and many gulls.