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.

Walk to Ashurst and Lyndhurst circular

 Wednesday 23rd August

With Harry. 12 miles and some more. 

To Ashurst co-op, then along the Lyndhurst Road, turning left just before the station . 

Follow the path close to the railway line, until it joins a cycle track just after a bridge leading to Ashurst camp site and Ashurst Lodge.

The bridge is on the right, but our path goes through a gate into the woods.

Follow the track, keeping the railway on the right, and after about a mile, you reach a bridge. Turn right, crossing the bridge over the railway and then the infant Beaulieu River, and continue south west, across open heathland. Where tracks fork, take the right hand fork leading towards Matley Wood and the campsite, with its welcome shade.

At the road we take the track alongside for a while, heading slightly north of west towards Lyndhurst. Very little shade for a good mile and a half - noticeable in the hot weather.

In Lyndhurst we headed for the Greenwood Tree cafe for a late lunch - sandwiches with plenty of tea.

We made our way back following paths, through the edge of the golf course and into the woods to then north of Lyndhurst  towards Woodlands. 

North as far as the highest point at Redbridge Hill, and a bit further, then east.

Much easier to navigate with the OS map app showing our exact position!

Back at the main road, which we followed. Essential ice cream stop at the Co-op before the last mile or so home.

We decided we had earned a lazy next day. 

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.

Totton to Lyndhurst, via Deerleap and Woodlands.

 

We decided to walk - set off at 11 am - walked along Pound Lane, path to Colbury church, where we stopped for coffee. There were cyclists also having a break there. 

Then walked along Deerleap Road, which, luckily has a 40 mph limit.

Before the wildlife centre there is a track for cyclists and walkers, leading down to the bridge over the railway. I thought we might see silver washed fritillaries but none in evidence today. 

From the bridge track we turned slightly right towards Matley Heath campsite, then on past Lyndhurst Cemetery and Bolton’s Bench. We bought sandwiches and drinks in Tesco, and took them to St Michaels church to lunch with Alice.

Alice Hargreaves, nee Liddell, who inspired Alice in Wonderland is buried here.

Entertained ourselves trying to separate the plastic from the cardboard, then gave up and put it all in a litter bin. 

After lunch we walked along the A35 from Lyndhurst as far as the golf course, then followed paths through the woods towards Woodlands, and eventually Ashurst.

Another short coffee and biscuit break before hitting civilisation, the A35 and then Holly Road, back through Foxhills and home for a very welcome cuppa and shower.

Felt much better for having been more active.

Wide skies, dappled shade, colourful flowers - montbretia to gorse and heather and later cornflowers too.

A little over 10 miles.

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 Jaunts 2 - cycling from Lyndhurst to Bolderwood and Brockenhurst

About 15 miles on a fine cold day, with a bit of a wind and some hills to get the blood moving.

From Lyndhurst up Pike hIll, and via Emery Down to Bolderwood. We passed the Portuguese Fireplace on the way.

Next to the memorial is a plaque:

"This is the site of a hutted camp occupied by a Portuguese army unit during the first World War. This unit assisted the depleted local labour force in producing timber for the war effort. The Forestry Commission have retained the fireplace from the cookhouse as a memorial to the men who lived and worked here and acknowledge the financial assistance of the Portuguese government in its renovation." 

 In order to help with the timber production for the war, a Portuguese Army unit working for the Canadian Timber Corps helped the local population whilst local foresters were away fighting. 

Bolderwood is a very popular spot with a large car park - there was even an ice-cream van, but we were not tempted. 

Well wrapped up against the cold.

From Bolderwood there is a very pleasant and mainly downhill ride along the Bolderwood and  Rhinefield Ornamental Drive eventually arriving at Brockenhurst, where we stopped for coffee at the Buttery.

We took the main road for the three final miles back to Lyndhurst - rather too busy to be really enjoyable, but the whole ride was excellent.

Around Lyndhurst

I thought I'd try to walk part of the circular walk which we did in November 2013, but this time in reverse.

Mostly ok, apart from one closed footpath, and a wander off the track near Lyndhurst Hill - which is full of trees and many paths! Between six and seven miles in all. Fine weather, mostly dry underfoot - even the boggy bits were passable.

The pathway near the Waterloo Arms

plants in a wall

The beauty of alien invaders

The path between Pikes Hill and Emery Down

Lots of ponies around Emery Down

The path near Lyndhurst Hill

The Oak Inn at Bank

Bank post box.

Map to follow later. 

Here it is.