New Forest Cycle Ride - 7
Woodland and heathland near Lyndhurst, including Holmhill Inclosure, Bolderwood Walk and North Oakley Inclosure

Directions:
(Only designated cycle tracks, and roads are usually mentioned; not footpaths and other tracks).

1) Leave the car park along the gravel track, and continue through ancient, unenclosed woodland. Cross Highland Water, and pass through a gate into Holmhill Inclosure.

2) After 1 kilometre (0.6 miles), take the right-hand fork at a ‘Y’ junction, and shortly after, go through a gate into Highland Water Inclosure.

3) Immediately turn left at a ‘T’ junction – cycle track sign number 14 – and re-cross Highland Water. Follow the track as it bears right alongside, on the left, the now wooded Woolsmoor Meads.

4) Ignore a cycle track on the left as the track goes uphill, and continue straight ahead to meet a minor road close to the Canadian Memorial – cycle track sign number 13.

5) Cross the road and immediately pass a turn on the left – cycle track sign number 12. Continue for 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) alongside woodlands, heathlands and wetlands, until North Oakley Inclosure is reached.

This is a Conservation Area, so dogs must be kept on leads. The fields of the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary are on the left, so look out for fallow deer. Notice also on both sides of the track, dense holly holms with trees that show clear browse lines, and multiple shoots that betray past coppicing. There are also examples of hollies that have been relatively recently pollarded.

6) Enter the inclosure through a gate, and after a short distance, take a left turn at a ‘T’ junction, just before a bridge over Bratley Water is reached. Follow the track as it twists first left and then right, and pass a corner of Mark Ash Wood - this ancient, unenclosed woodland contrasts starkly with the inclosure woodland.

7) Continue for just over 1 kilometre, enter Anderwood Inclosure and after just less than 0.5 kilometres (1/3 mile), reach a ‘T’ junction.

8) Turn left, then after a short distance, pass a turn on the right – cycle track sign number 16. Follow the track for a further 1.5 kilometres (1 mile), at first beside and then, through a gate, into Knightwood Inclosure, to reach the road – the Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive.

9) Turn right along the road with, initially on either side, ancient, unenclosed woodland left to grow within the inclosure. After a further 1.5 kilometres, the busy A35 is reached, shortly after the Knightwood Oak car park is passed – this famous oak can be seen a short distance along the tracks opposite the car park entrance.

10) Turn left along the A35, and then, after another 1 kilometre (0.6 mile), turn left again onto the track leading to the New Forest Reptile Centre.

11) Pass the New Forest keeper’s cottage, dated 1811, and follow the track as it skirts the Reptile Centre, passes through the car park and continues into Holidays Hill Inclosure.

12) Reach another road and turn right, pass the Portuguese Fireplace, and return to Millyford Bridge.

Points of interest: