New Forest Walks - Walks from Brockenhurst

Along the way
Balmer Lawn; Victoria Brick and Tile Works; Ancient, Unenclosed Woodland around Standing Hat; Broad-leaved and Coniferous Woodland Inclosures - Pignalhill, Parkhill, Stubby Copse and Pignal Inclosures; and Southern Wood Ant nests.

The route
Distance: 4.5 kilometres (2¾ miles) - add a further 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) if starting the walk in Brockenhurst village centre.

Start: The Tilery Road car park at SU307033, 1.75 kilometres (1 mile) north-east of Brockenhurst. Terrain: Mainly on level ground, but with a small number of gentle gradients. The walk is on well compacted, well-drained cycle tracks throughout; and is likely to be relatively firm underfoot, almost whatever the weather. Railway station: Brockenhurst, 1.75 kilometres (1 mile) to the south-west. Forest Holidays camp site: Hollands Wood, 0.5 kilometres (1/3 mile) to the north-west. Alternative starts: Brockenhurst village centre car parking is available opposite the post office in Brookley Road – SU298024. Parking is also available at the Standing Hat car park, on the route, 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) away from the Tilery Road car park.

Directions

From Brockenhurst village

1.   From Brockenhurst, leave the village centre on the A337, heading north towards Lyndhurst. Cross        the Lymington River at what is known as the Brockenhurst Bridge, and immediately turn right down a        minor road signposted to Beaulieu and Roundhill camp site. The Balmer Lawn Hotel can be seen to        the left, whilst a small car park beside the river is on the right.

       After almost 0.5 kilometres, where the road bends to the right, follow a wide, gravel Forestry        Commission track leading straight ahead towards the distant woods. The Tilery Road car park is a        short distance ahead on the left.

From the Tilery Road car park

2.    Continue along the gravel track towards the woods. On the left is the wide expanse of Balmer Lawn,        a favourite grazing place for commoners’ stock, animals that can always be relied upon to always        keep the grass short, just as if it were regularly mown.

       Cross over a bridge; pass on the right a small, gorse-strewn area of grassland bordered by        broadleaved trees; and on the left, ancient, unenclosed woodland. Go left at a fork in the track where        straight ahead, a sign advises ‘access for residents only’ along the track leading to Victoria Tilery        Cottage.

       Standing Hat, with its own small car park, is on the left, at the entrance to        an extensive block of woodlands.

3.   Turn right opposite the car park entrance, before entering the wood; pass        a low, Forestry Commission vehicle barrier; and follow the gravel cycle        track past on the left a wide, grassy driftway between fenced inclosures.

       Pass behind a cluster of buildings associated with the old Victoria Brick        and Tile Works, and continue along the cycle track as bends to the right,        through a gate into Pignalhill Inclosure.

4.   Follow the track as it goes left, and over a crossroads – the right turn is another gravel track; that on        the left a grassy ride. Notice along here on the left, two quite deep, circular depressions in quick        succession amongst the trees, possibly World War Two bomb craters – during the conflict, around        2,700 bombs apparently fell on the New Forest, some of which came down on Brockenhurst and the        surrounding area.

       Enter an area of primarily coniferous woodland, follow the cycle track as it swings left with, a little        further along, beside the track on the left, two enormous mounds - Southern Wood Ant nests,        constructed of pine needles, twigs and other pickings from the woodland floor.

5.   Follow the track as it goes the right, ignoring minor turns to left and        right; and eventually go left at the first crossroad of cycle tracks – at sign        number 38.
   
       Pass through a gate beside on the left a small stock pound at the edge of        a wide, grassy ride; and follow the cycle track as it goes slightly right, then        left through another gate; and again swings right.

6.   Turn left at the next crossroad of cycle tracks; continue along the track as it        goes quite sharply right, past on the left a quite pronounced, grassy ride;        and on up a gentle incline.