This walks takes you through several inclosures in the heart of the New Forest as well as passing a reminder of the role the forest played in World War One.

Route

From the Millyford Bridge Car Park, take the path alongside the Highland Water. The stream meanders through the forest towards Brockenhurst and eventually becomes the Lymingon River.

Go through the gate into Holmhill Inclosure and follow the gravel path straight through the inclosure as it crosses the Highland Water again. When it eventually forks, follow it round to the left.

Continue straight and the gravel path eventually narrows to a forest track. After passing through another inclosure gate you will eventually emerge on the Bolderwood-Emery Down road.

Cross the road and go through the gate into Holidays Hill Inclosure.  Stay right as the path forks. Take a right turn and complete a loop taking you into Wooson’s Hill Inclosure and eventually back to the road. Alternatively take the other path on the fork to visit the New Forest Reptile Centre.

Turn right out of the inclosure back towards the car park, passing the unusual sight of a fireplace close to the road. Known as the Portuguese Fireplace, it is all that is left of a cookhouse used by Portuguese soldiers stationed to work as lumberjacks in the New Forest during World War I. During the war, The New Forest was a source of wood for props in the trenches and many ponies were rounded up and taken to France as working animals. And sphagnum moss was collected from the forest’s bogs and mires as its antibacterial qualities were used to help treat injuries.

Continue along the roadside back to Millyford Bridge car park.

Map

Walk Information