New Forest Short Walks - Walks from Lyndhurst

This walk passes through Pondhead Inclosure, and returns to Lyndhurst along the heathland ridge close to Bolton's Bench.

The Route

1. Leave the village centre and walk south along Gosport Lane until Goose Green is reached. Take the left fork towards Brockenhurst, and beside Foxlease Bridge, pass the site of the now-demolished turnpike cottage.

Turn left opposite the entrance to Foxlease, the Girlguiding UK Training and Activity Centre.

2. Pass immediately on the right the old thatched Glenber Cottage, and continue straight ahead along Beechen Lane until the woodlands at Clayhill are reached.

3. Immediately before the wide Forestry Commission vehicle gate across the gravel track leading straight ahead, turn left through a gate leading into Pondhead Inclosure. After just over 0.5 kilometres, a ‘Y’ junction is reached - follow the fork to the left.

4. After a short distance, pass on the right an area of actively managed hazel coppice, and on the left a recently clear-felled area of conifers. Pass a grassy ride on the right leading between the hazels, and a little way further on, a more pronounced right turn.

Cross a small bridge over a stream, leave the woodland through a narrow gate, and reach the Beaulieu Road, close to The Ravens, a property recalling in name that once-lost New Forest bird, and the appropriately named Ridge House.

5. Cross the road and follow a quite wide path running almost straight ahead up the gorse-clad hillside leading to The Ridge, on White Moor.

Notice as the top of the hill is reached the path intersects the wasted bank and ditch of the Park Pale. Notice also, to the left, the tall spire of Lyndhurst Parish Church, and beyond, the white-washed walls of Northerwood House on the hill at Emery Down.

6. At the top of the hill, turn left to follow the path towards Bolton’s Bench, past the village’s late 19th century cemetery, and beyond, back to Lyndhurst High Street.