A short circular walk through the woods on the edge of Ashurst. An ideal stroll if you are staying at Ashurst campsite or fancy a walk before calling in at either The Happy Cheese or The New Forest family-friendly pubs.

Route

From the small car park beside the NHS Ashurst Centre, follow the road in between The Happy Cheese pub and its customers’ car park.

Go through the gate just beyond the pub car park.  Follow the gravel path through the trees, with a small area of lawn to your right.

After 350m you’ll reach Church Place Cottage. It is one of the oldest buildings in Ashurst and has been home to the Forest Keepers for generations. Look out for the distinctive deer head trophy mounted on the gable end.

Turn right at the cottage corner and continue to follow the gravel cycle path. Walk along the path for 600m, going straight on at cycle post number 387.

After 600m from the cottage, the path bends round to the left. Follow the path, or if you are walking in the summer and conditions are dry, you could follow the forest path to the right as a scenic shortcut.

Follow the gravel path for 300m before taking a sharp right turn and continuing for 250m until you reach the inclosure gate.

Walk up the steep path and cross the railway bridge. At the end of the railings on the other side, take the track immediately on the right.

Follow the path as it heads through Ashurst Woods back in the direction of the railway line and crosses a small footbridge. Continue following it through the woods, alongside the railway line, and into the campsite.

Continue to walk through the campsite until you reach the main entrance. A path cuts across the open grass area towards a stile. If you are unable to use a stile, there is a pedestrian gate beside the main cattlegrid entrance on to the main Lyndhurst-Ashurst road.

Follow the footpath past the New Forest Pub, back over the railway bridge and towards the car park. Alternatively, you can cross the railway line footbridge at Ashurst Station (behind The New Forest pub) and follow the trackside path back towards the car park.