Saunter by a stream

A pony grazes quietly beside the Latchmore Brook

John Wise, 19th century chronicler of the New Forest, commended visitors to follow a stream from source to sea. That, though, would have been difficult even then and remains so today - there are surely too many bogs, alder carrs, patches of wet woodland and tangles of brambles for passage to be straightforward.

But it is possible for those attracted by the sights and sounds of running water to follow some of the streams for reasonable distances.

Try, for example, walking beside the Beaulieu River as it flows across Longwater Lawn, a little to the east of Lyndhurst (A) ,or follow the Ditchend Brook, east of Godshill (B) or the Latchmore Brook as it snakes across Latchmore Bottom, a little to the south-east of Frogham (C).

Go upstream beside Highland Water from Millyford Bridge, 4 kilometres (2 1/2 miles) west of Lyndhurst (D) or downstream along Highland Water from beside the A35, 3 1/2 kilometres (2 miles) south-west of Lyndhurst (E).

Experience Ober Water as it goes east from Puttles Bridge - on Rhinefield Road, 3 1/2 kilometres (2 miles) north-west of Brockenhurst (F).

Or finally, for those who like their rivers to be a little wider, follow parallel to the Beaulieu River as it flows seawards towards Buckler's Hard from Beaulieu (G).

Find out more here about New Forest streams and rivers.