BIG20 New Forest Woods, Heath and the Forest's oldest church
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A short Sunday morning walk is an ideal way to finish off the BIG20: New Forest Celebration Weekend taking in some of the best areas of the National Park in the immediate vicinity of the hostel.
We will be comfortably finished before 1.30pm which should still give plenty time to travel home after the walk.
This event is for the members attending the BIG20: New Forest Celebration Weekend and will be available to book from 5pm on the 12th June
The New Forest is well known for its free roaming livestock which play an important part in sculpting the landscape, and we should see plenty of ponies (and likely some young foals) in the second half of the walk as we cross the open landscape of Setley Plain. Before that, however, we'll pass through Roydon Woods NNR (National Nature Reserve) which is particularly famous for its stunning display of bluebells in the spring, although clearly we'll be too late in the season to enjoy the full display.
Our route heads directly out from the hostel into Roydon Woods Nature Reserve which is an impressive patchwork of wildlife rich habitats. We'll pause by the Lymington River which is known to be the home of otters and kingfishers (I've seen plenty of one, but yet to see any of the other!), and then resume on uphill through shady hazel coppices and pine plantations of Sandy Down.
After crossing the main road we'll head on out onto the open heathland of the forest, passing by Setley Pond. The pond is a former gravel pit and is a popular location for radio controlled yacht enthusiasts. On Boxing Day, it is the location of the hotly contested Setley Cup.
Most of the remainder of the route into Brockenhurst takes us over the open heaths among the free roaming ponies, donkeys and cattle. Visitors to the forest often mistakenly refer to the "wild ponies" but all the livestock are owned by forest commoners who turn their animals out to graze the land, but remain responsible for their welfare.
Coming back into the town, we'll walk along Brockenhurst High Street with opportunities to get last minute supplies for the journey home, or the chance for those with a bit more time to stop for refreshments from the shops, pubs and restaurants in the town if desired!
Returning back to the hostel, we'll pass by the oldest church in the New Forest. St Nicholas Church was mentioned in the Domesday Book, and it is believed that many Norman and Plantagenet kings such as William II worshipped here when they came to stay at the then neighbouring Manor when visiting the Forest for hunting trips.
Brockenhurst (and specifically the very location of the hostel!) was the site of the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital during World War I where over 20,000 NZ casualities were treated. The churchyard has 100 Commonwealth War Graves, 93 of which are New Zealanders. A large service of commemoration is held at the church each April on the Sunday closest to ANZAC Day.
A very short distance after the church, we'll be back at the hostel ready for your return home.
All images used on this page taken by the event leader and permission granted for use by ODL
What to bring
Well-fitting walking boots are strongly recommended to cope with the uneven, undulating terrain.
You may need suncream and perhaps a sunhat if sunshine is forecast as the route is frequently exposed and only offers sporadic shade. Bring a waterproof coat if wet weather is forecast.
Food & drink
As this is a fairly short walk, we will not be having a prolonged lunch stop, but you will need to bring plenty fresh water particularly as the weather may be hot. Also bring any snacks you feel necessary for a walk of this length.
There are plenty places to get food and drink once we return to Brockenhurst at the end of the walk.