Bank and Beyond
Starting Point
Ober Corner car park
///loser.kingdom.enough
Distance
7 MILES (11KM) – Circular
Categories
This stunning circular walk serves up the best of the New Forest. After winding through forest inclosures, you can spend some time at a deer sanctuary. The route then takes you deep into the forest, following the gently-meandering Highland Water. It eventually emerges at the village of Bank where you can enjoy a well-earned half-way food and drink stop at the fabulous Oak Inn.
Route
Map & GPX
Information
In Pictures
Route
Starting from the Ober Corner car park, turn left out of the car park onto the gravel path alongside the open expanse of Black Knowl, with the village of Brockenhurst in the distance. After 500m at the end of the straight stretch, follow the path to the left as it crosses Bolderford Bridge – a popular bathing spot for families in the summer months. Go through the inclosure gate into New Park Plantation and take the path immediately on the left at cycle marker post 262. Follow the path as it curves to the right and then heads straight through the inclosure for 1.1km. The woodland floor on either side of the path can be a carpet of bluebells in the late spring. At the next gate, turn left and go though another gate at cycle marker post 257 in to Hursthill Inclosure. Follow the path through the inclosure for 850m until you reach another gate at cycle marker post 254 and an open grassland Conservation Area at Queen’s Meadow on the right. Cross the footbridge and continue on the straight path for 350m. Turn right off the gravel path and follow the forest track for another 350m, with Queen’s Meadow and Highland Water Stream to your right. Cross the footbridge. The forest track may become indistinct at this point as it runs between two streams. This area can also be prone to flooding following prolonged wet weather. After about 300m it becomes a clear path again, alongside the deep trench carved out by the Highland Water.Advertisement
Follow the path for 800m through Brinken Wood, keeping the meandering Highland Water to your right.
Turn right on to the footbridge crossing the stream and follow the path for 850m as it gradually climbs uphill through the woods.
When you reach the a small water works on your left, join the gravel lane before taking the track through the trees to the tarmaced Gritnam Lane.
Walk along the lane for 450m until you reach the Oak Inn.
Dog-leg to the right to join Pinkney Lane as it runs alongside the pub and past the cottages of Bank. Taking care along the roadside which has no pavements, follow the lane for 600m until it heads uphill.
Turn right and enter Brick Kiln Inclosure from the gate off Pinkney Lane at cycle marker post 259. Continue on the downhill path straight through the inclosure for 1km. Beech, oak and sweet chestnut trees are all around. The inclosure was the site of a brick kiln which supplied the local area with bricks until the late 19th Century. You can still see some bricks in the path under your feet.
Go through the gate at the end of the inclosure and continue on the path across the small open area of Butts Lawn.
. Follow the path as it bends to the right and then splits after 450m. Turn left and go through the gate in to New Park Plantation at cycle marker post 258.
Follow the path, retracing your steps back through the inclosure, exit the gate and cross Bolderford Bridge. Follow the path along the top of Black Knowl back to Ober Water car park.
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Essential Information
Weather
21°C
In Pictures
