This stunning circular walk serves up the best of the New Forest. After winding through forest inclosures, you  can spend some time viewing the deer in a special sanctuary. The route then takes you deep into the forest, following the Highland Water. The walk eventually emerges at the village of Bank where you can enjoy a well earned food and drink stop at the fabulous Oak Inn.

Route

Enter Brick Kiln Inclosure from the gate at Pinkney Lane and continue on the downhill path straight through the inclosure with beech, oak and sweet chestnut trees all around. The inclosure was the site of a brick kiln which supplied the local area with bricks until the late 19th Century.

Go through the gate at the end of the inclosure and continue on the path across the small open area of Butts Lawn.

Keeping the sanctuary to your right, cross the stream and take the gravel path ahead. At a conservation sign, turn right off the gravel path and follow the forest track alongside the stream.

After a short distance, cross a small footbridge and continue to follow the forest track. Be aware the track can be muddy with fallen trees or tree roots to navigate past. It will take you through Brinken Wood until you can turn right to cross another footbridge and join the forest track heading towards a small sewage works.

Take the gravel lane leading to the works for a short distance and turn off it to follow the track to the village of Bank. Follow the single lane past the houses until you reach the Oak Inn.

Turn on to Pinkney Lane, alongside the pub, and walk about 600m along the narrow lane until it climbs up the hill to the entrance to Brick Kiln Lane.