Brockenhurst & Lymington River Walk

Today's seen Miranda & I tackling a short little 6 mile walk around the Brockenhurst & Lymington River, in the New Forest.

Starting off from St Nicholas's Church in Brockenhurst (Mentioned in the Domesday book for its Saxon Herringbone masonry & Norman Scribes) we headed South along Church Lane until a bridleway appeared on the left, just after the turn in the road. Taking to this path we continued gentle uphill along the Southern Edge on Brockenhurst Park & into some stunning Old Oak woods where millions of beautiful Bluebells carpeted the floor[1]
Continuing on our South Easterly route through the woods we passed by Roydon Manor & Sandy Down before eventually crossing the Lymington River near Boldre[2]

After a further ½ mile East we turned North & stopped of by a farm for a much needed rest & just enough time so that Miranda could feed my lunch to the horses [3] as I’d been an arse about the direction of travel!

Not to worry as forgetting all the gear (No idea!) we were carrying (GPS, Map & iPhone) we happened across as kind local chap who after some piss taking (“Your not lost as I know where you are!”) put us back on the correct path to Dilton Cottage. After passing through the farm we found ourselves back on the correct path & amongst an old military encampment that’s now used for pig rearing [4] I’m guessing WW II from the numerous corrugated buildings & Gloucestershire old spot for the pigs, but then I’m no expert on either yet!

It was then back into the tree’s of Perrywood Ironshill Inclosure & along the winding path of Lymington river until we happened across the B3055 Brockenhurst/Beaulieu Road. Over the cattle grid & sharp left (Westerly direction along Mill lane) heralded the start of our return leg to Brockenhurst along the Northern edge on the Park & into Church lane.

Total time around 2 ½ hours. A light smattering of rain to contend & the following link can be used should anyone else fancy this walk.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/riverwalk-2.pdf