Brockenhurst-Lyndhurst Circular

Let's celebrate the beginning of the spring, 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.

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.

The 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 Statement, in 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. 

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