Brockenhurst-Lyndhurst Circular

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Lowland and Hill Walks
Jan 22
2022

22 people attending

4 places left

Your price
£12.50
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Distance is 18 km (11 miles); total ascent is 150 m; relief is gently undulating; surfaces are grass, dirt, gravel and a little tarmac.

Experience the best of winter in one of the most remarkable and valuable landscapes in the whole crowded southeast of England. Towering pines, heathery heaths, shaggy ponies and a thriving market town will combine to make this walk a great day out with the 'Lads. The walk will be led - under the supervision of Ian W - by the lovely Sam Michelon as he ventures to become a Lowland and Hill Walk Leader for OutdoorLads. Your support for Sam on his assessed walk is sought.

You probably know that the New Forest is neither new, nor wholly a forest. This National Park is one of the largest remaining expanses of open pasture land, heathland and woodland in the country, let alone in the densely populated south of England. In fact, whereas other royal and ancient forests such as Arden, Dean, Epping, Sherwood and Windsor are just fragments, the New Forest occupies roughly the same area as it did in the days of its founder, William the Conqueror. It is remarkable that it has remained so, wedged as it is between the conurbations of Bournemouth-Poole and Southampton-Portsmouth.

Part of the character of the forest are centuries-old traditions including the rights of commoners to collect resources and graze their cattle, pigs and ponies. The large areas of lowland habitats, lost elsewhere, which have survived are rich in wildlife: there are specialist heathland birds such as the Dartford warbler, curlew, nightjar, stonechat, redstart and tree pipit, and there are woodland birds such as the wood warbler, hobby and buzzard; of reptiles and amphibians, all three native snakes, sand lizards and the great crested newt; and of wild mammals numerous deer and the European otter find a home in Britain's second-newest National Park.

This walk (please click the link to see the route) will explore open heathland and woodland in a large loop between the village of Brockenhurst and the town of Lyndhurst - 'the Capital of the New Forest' - which has many independent shops, cafes, pubs and a fine gothic-revival church. There will be an hour to explore the town and have lunch. Upon returning to Brockenhurst there will be a chance to have a drink at a pub there such as the Foresters' Arms, the Rose and Crown or the Snakecatcher.

Dogs are welcome to join us on this event but we do ask the following: Please ensure you adhere to the Countryside Code at all times - see (Keeping Dogs Under Effective Control) If your dog is uncontrolled and strays in open land frightening other animals or livestock, the leader is supported by the OutdoorLads board of trustees to ask you to leave the event as this is not acceptable behaviour.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statementin addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

  • Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
  • You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. Read the NHS self-isolation guidance.
  • OutdoorLads strongly encourages all attendees to take a rapid lateral flow test immediately prior to attending an event. This will help to keep everyone safe. Order free Rapid Lateral Flow Tests.

The photographs were taken by Samuel Michelon who has consented to their use.

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