Wander in the woods
For those who don't want to venture out on any of the longer New Forest Walks, detailed in the walking section of this web site, there are many other opportunities for short woodland strolls along well-made, often gravel tracks straight from Forestry Commission car parks. Here are some suggestions, although a glance at an Ordnance Survey map will help identify many other likely locations.
(A) and (B) The Tilery Road and Standing Hat car parks, both adjacent to Balmer Lawn 1 kilometre (just over ½ mile) north-east of Brockenhurst, give access to Parkhill and other inclosures.
(C) The Millyford Bridge car park, on the minor road from Emery Down to Bolderwood and Linwood, 4 kilometres (2½ miles) west of Lyndhurst, gives access to Holmhill and adjacent Inclosures.
(D) The Matley car park, 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) south-east of Lyndhurst, gives access to the ancient, unenclosed woodlands of Matley Wood.
(E) The Wilverley Plain car park, not far from the A35 6 kilometres (3¾ miles) south-west of Brockenhurst and 7 kilometres (4¼ miles) south-east of Burley, gives access to Wilverley Inclosure.
(F) The Bolderwood car park, close to the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, gives access to the Bolderwood Arboretum and adjacent woodlands.
(G) and (H) The Blackwater and Brock Hill car parks, both quite close together on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, north-west of Brockenhurst, give access to the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Blackwater Arboretum and Tall Trees Trail and to other adjacent areas of woodland.
(I) And finally, the Eyeworth Pond car park, Fritham, gives access to the ancient, unenclosed woodlands of Eyeworth Wood and others nearby.
(Please remember to take care when walking in the woods, and be sure that you are able to find your way back to your start point - access to an Ordnance Survey map will always be helpful).
Find out more about New Forest woodlands:
Ancient, unenclosed woodlands
Broad-leaved inclosures
Coniferous inclosures
Woodland inclosures - a bit of history
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Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.
(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).
Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)