A local group of the Ramblers' Association, which exists to facilitate the enjoyment and discovery on foot of Britain's countryside.

NEW FOREST WEEKEND
Saturday October 1st to Monday October 3rd 2005

PAULA and OWEN (01458-860751) are organising this self-booking weekend. By arranging your own accommodation you can stay in the area for as long or as little time as you wish and select which walks you want to do.You may even wish to travel up from the Mendip area for a day trip, particularly on Saturday. Saturday’s walk is not far from Shaftesbury, the others are in and around the New Forest, where we expect most participants to be based.

A wide range of accommodation options are possible. In the past some people have come in their own caravans, or camped, while others have stayed in bed and breakfast establishments, youth hostels, or self-catering cottages or caravans. Attached is a list, in no way exhaustive, of accommodation available in the area. The area is busy in the summer months, so we strongly advise you to book up accommodation as early as possible.

Saturday October 1st
Walk A: (9 miles): Tollard Royal:
This is an undulating walk with some hills.

The walk starts south from Win Green, taking the Wessex Ridgeway south downhill to Tollard Royal. The route continues north-east to Munday’s Pool, then goes uphill directly north onto Rotherley Down. From there we join a cycle track and head essentially north across Winkelbury Hill. We next reach Berwick St. John by taking a lane west. Finally we follow Ashcombe lane south-west and finish along Drove track.

Starting Point: Win Green CP. From Shaftesbury turn east along the A30 at the roundabout beside the Royal Chase Hotel. Drive 2.6 miles to just beyond Ludwell and then turn right along Denis Lane (signposted to Tollard Royal and the golf course). Follow this lane for 1.7 miles right up to the crest of a hill, where a wide motorable track (be careful of pot holes) on your left leads to Win Green CP after 0.3 miles

GR 923204 (EXPLORER 118: Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase)
Starting Time: 11.00 am

Sunday October 2nd
Walk B: (10 miles): Classic New Forest:
This is an essentially flat, undemanding walk, but after rain parts can be muddy.

The walk begins south-east along “The Ridge” from Bolton’s bench CP. After crossing a road the route heads south into classic new Forest territory, rough Appleslade Inclosure towards waterslade. Finally the route turns into Great Linford Inclosure passing through Park Hill, Parkhill Inclosure and Pignal Inclosure before reaching Standing Hut. From there we head west to cross the main A337 just north of Brockenhurst. Next we walk north-west alongside the Lymington River to beyond Boulter’s Bridge. Turning north the route reaches Butt’s Lawn, and then heads north-east to recross the A337 at Clay Hill. Beechan Lane is crossed almost immediately as we continue in the same direction to Beaulieu road and our start point.

Starting Point: Bolton’s Bench CP, near the War Memorial, on the eastern outskirts of Lyndhurst.

GR 303082 (EXPLORER OL22: New Forest)
Starting Time: 10.30 am

Monday October 3rd
Walk C: (5.5 miles): Open Common land and round Lakes:
Minor hills but a relatively straightforward walk through varied terrain.

We first head north to Rockford Common then turn south-west down Bigsburn Hill. We next circle around Blashford and Linbrook Lakes on the other of the road. We continue east to North Poulner, before turning north to Highwood. From there it is a short way south-east back to Linford Inclosure.

Starting Point: Linford Bottom CP. Turn left off A31(T) from Ringwood near telephone box (before Picket Post) and descend along a small windy Road for over a mile. If coming form the other direction you can’t turn across the A31(T) and have to continue towards Ringwood till you can.

GR 181072 (EXPLORER OL22: New Forest)
Starting Time: 10.30 am

Walk D: (5 miles): Easy shady forest tracks:
A gentle amble in lovely surroundings for those wanting to stay for the afternoon.

We start by following the line of Linford Brook north-east. At Roe Inclosure we turn north-west and soon reach Amie’s Corner. From there we go west to Appleslade Bottom. Then we head south and follow a cycle track to a lane near the CP.
Starting Point Linford Bottom CP. Turn left off A31(T) from Ringwood near telephone box (before Picket Post) and descend along a small windy road for over a mile. If coming form the other direction you can’t turn across the A31(T) and have to continue towards Ringwood till you can.

GR 181072 (EXPLORER OL22: New Forest)
Starting Time: 2.00 pm

Name:

Home phone number:

Please circle below so that we know your plans: Walks expecting to attend

Saturday A Sunday B Monday C Monday D

Nights staying in the area:

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Day trip:

Saturday Sunday Monday

If staying in the area please give the phone number and address of your accommodation

Accommodation.
You are responsible for booking your own accommodation. If you want shops and eating places a good central location is the small town of Fordingbridge. You could also try Lyndhurst or Brockenhurst, which perhaps tend to be expensive, or even Ringwood. Additionally there are any number of surrounding villages and hamlets – again some like Burley are on the expensive side. Although there are a great number of B&B places in the area they are mostly relatively expensive, with £25 pppn being the norm. There are also many self-catering cottages/houses available and some of them specifically mention that they cater for 2 or 3 night short breaks. Usually they are 2 and 3 bed roomed places with combinations of doubles, twins and singles. For a group of 4 to 6 this could provide a cheaper option than B&B with the added advantage of a sitting room and full cooking facilities. Camping and caravan parks are yet another possibility. You can bring your own tent or caravan or hire a chalet or static caravan. I list only a small selection. Finally there is a Youth Hostel in Burley (0870-7705734)

Accommodation in Fordingbridge, Lyndhurst, Ringwood & Burley
Many websites list B&B establishments. Some are very rudimentary and care is needed when browsing them. A couple I found which was OK are www.smoothhound.co.uk and www.newforest.demon.co.uk. Most of the entries below come form those sites

Accommodation in Smaller Centres:

Self-catering cottages:
One source is “Westcountry Cottages” which acts as a booking agency for many cottages in the area. It has a web site which you can browse, and on which you can check availability and book a cottage. Their details are: Westcountry Cottages, Dainton Manor Estate, Dainton, Devon, TQ12 5TZ. The phone number for further details booking is 01803-814000). The website address is: www.westcountrycottages.co.uk . Some other possibilities are listed below. I think some of them are also available via the Westcountry Cottages website

Campsites and self-catering chalets and caravans

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