Holmsley Ridge and Inclosure

Starting Point

&

Distance

4 MILES (7KM) – Circular

Categories

A circular walk which takes you across Holmsley Ridge – with stunning views over the heath land south of the village of Burley – before sweeping down to explore the woodland of Holmsley Inclosure. This route is particularly stunning in late summer when the purple and pink heather is in full bloom.

1

Route

Map & GPX

Information

In Pictures

Route

From the car park, walk the short distance up Holmsley Passage and head out on the path across the heath beyond the vehicle barrier. Once on the path, you’ll have views over towards Burley and Turf Hill to your right. To the left is Holmsley Inclosure.

After about 600m you’ll come to some ponds which can be accessed down an incline to your left. Take the path on the right of a fence as it continues across the ridge.


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Walk for another 700m until the path splits. Take the left fork which heads downhill for 1.2km towards Thorney Hill Holms. Continue on the grassy track until it meets a path heading towards Holmsley Incloure. Turn left onto the path and walk alongside the inclosure for 200m until you come to a gate into the woods.

After 100m, turn right on to the cycle path at marker post number 170. Follow the path through the inclosure as it gradually curves to the right past marker post 171 and crosses the Avon Water stream. It then curves to the left past cycle post marker 172 and continues to the edge of the inclosure at marker post 173.

Exit the inclosure gate, cross the Holmsley Passage road and go through the gate on the opposite side. Continue on the straight path through the woodland for 400m, passsing through a small open area of grass, until you reach the back of a working sawmill.

A narrow track leads through the fir trees alongside the edge of the mill. Go through the pedestrian gate and turn left, joining the path that runs in front of the mill. The A35 can be seen to your right. Continue past a barrier and on to a gravel path. The path goes gradually downhill past a pasture field with a horse shelter.

Follow the path as it crosses three footbridges over the Avon Water in quick succession.

After another 450m, turn right on to another path which takes you the short distance to a bridge under the disused Castleman’s Corkscrew railway line. Climb up the bank on to the line. The Old Station Tea Rooms are a short distance to the right. The old station also serves as a stop for the New Forest Tour buses during the summer.

After another 450m, turn right on to another path which takes you the short distance to a bridge under the disused Castleman’s Corkscrew railway line. Climb up the bank on to the line. The Old Station Tea Rooms are a short distance to the right. The old station also serves as a stop for the New Forest Tour buses during the summer.

Turn left and walk for 700m along the line until it reaches a barrier when it meets Holmsley Passage. Turn left and, taking care along the roadside, walk the short distance uphill back to Holmsley car park.


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Essential Information

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Weather

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Burley
10:28 pm, May 9, 2025
weather icon 10°C
L: 9° H: 12°
clear sky
0 mph
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 inch
Sunrise: 5:26 am
Sunset: 8:39 pm
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9° / 12°°C 0 inch 0% 16 mph 80 % 1019 mb 0 mm/h
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10° / 15°°C 0.01 inch 20% 14 mph 92 % 1013 mb 0 mm/h
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11° / 15°°C 0.03 inch 68% 10 mph 95 % 1019 mb 0 mm/h
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10° / 17°°C 0.03 inch 80% 8 mph 92 % 1024 mb 0 mm/h
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11° / 11°°C 0.01 inch 20% 10 mph 86 % 1011 mb 0 mm/h
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15° / 15°°C 0 inch 0% 14 mph 74 % 1011 mb 0 mm/h
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14° / 14°°C 0 inch 0% 11 mph 81 % 1010 mb 0 mm/h
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13° / 13°°C 0 inch 0% 4 mph 89 % 1009 mb 0 mm/h
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11° / 11°°C 0 inch 0% 1 mph 92 % 1010 mb 0 mm/h
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12° / 12°°C 0 inch 0% 1 mph 90 % 1010 mb 0 mm/h
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13° / 13°°C 0.03 inch 71% 6 mph 95 % 1010 mb 0 mm/h
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14° / 14°°C 0.01 inch 30% 4 mph 90 % 1011 mb 0 mm/h
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14° / 14°°C 0.01 inch 31% 7 mph 89 % 1011 mb 0 mm/h
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15° / 15°°C 0.02 inch 43% 7 mph 81 % 1011 mb 0 mm/h
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14° / 14°°C 0.02 inch 51% 5 mph 88 % 1012 mb 0 mm/h
Mon May 12 10:00 pm
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13° / 13°°C 0.04 inch 98% 6 mph 95 % 1013 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 1:00 am
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12° / 12°°C 0.03 inch 68% 6 mph 93 % 1013 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 4:00 am
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12° / 12°°C 0.01 inch 20% 5 mph 94 % 1013 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 7:00 am
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12° / 12°°C 0 inch 0% 6 mph 95 % 1014 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 10:00 am
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14° / 14°°C 0.01 inch 37% 10 mph 86 % 1016 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 1:00 pm
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15° / 15°°C 0 inch 10% 9 mph 79 % 1017 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 4:00 pm
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15° / 15°°C 0 inch 0% 10 mph 74 % 1017 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 7:00 pm
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15° / 15°°C 0 inch 0% 7 mph 76 % 1017 mb 0 mm/h
Tue May 13 10:00 pm
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11° / 11°°C 0 inch 0% 5 mph 87 % 1019 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 1:00 am
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10° / 10°°C 0 inch 0% 7 mph 88 % 1019 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 4:00 am
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10° / 10°°C 0 inch 0% 7 mph 92 % 1019 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 7:00 am
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10° / 10°°C 0 inch 0% 7 mph 82 % 1020 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 10:00 am
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16° / 16°°C 0 inch 0% 5 mph 67 % 1020 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 1:00 pm
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17° / 17°°C 0.02 inch 42% 7 mph 72 % 1021 mb 0 mm/h
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17° / 17°°C 0.03 inch 80% 8 mph 74 % 1021 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 7:00 pm
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16° / 16°°C 0.03 inch 80% 5 mph 77 % 1022 mb 0 mm/h
Wed May 14 10:00 pm
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11° / 11°°C 0.01 inch 21% 8 mph 82 % 1024 mb 0 mm/h

In Pictures