I suggest one route for cars and another for cyclists (to cut out the tortuous one way system at Lyndhurst).
The route for car drivers
Turn right out of our drive onto Beaulieu Road and continue for just over a mile, turning right at the roundabout onto the A326.
Continue along the A326 and at the next roundabout turn left across the forest for Lyndhurst. Watch out for ponies on the road!
Half a mile on there is a crossroads where you have to give way. Take care here!
Carry straight on for a couple of miles crossing the upper reaches of Beaulieu River at Ipley and then over undulating heath land to a T junction.
Turn right here, past the Beaulieu Hotel and Beaulieu Road Pub (another suggetsed watering hole), over the hump backed bridge and past Shatterford car park where another recommended walk starts. The view opens out again to trees on the left: Denny Wood. At the campsite the road bends sharply to the right, drops down to cross the now very tiny Beaulieu River again, then climbs up to Matley Ridge and carries on to Lyndhurst.
Enter Lyndhurst at the T junction by Appletree Court (The offices of New Forest District Council) and the Lyndhurst Park Hotel. Find your way round the one way system and exit for Bournemouth.
Very soon, opposite The Swan pub there is a turn to the right between Swan Green and a prominent thatched cottage. Take the turn and drive up the hill. Over the crest of the hill you'll find the New Forest Inn on your left. The car park is just beyond - or you may be lucky and find space in front. Otherwise, drive on round the corner to the left and park carefully on the left hand verge.
Return the same way as you came, but at the one way system in Lyndhurst go straight through the traffic lights for Southampton. Immediately after the Lyndhurst Park Hotel turn right for Beaulieu. The turn for Hythe is just over the hump backed bridge and the pub.
The route for cyclists
The round trip is about twenty two miles, mostly through forest.
Turn right out of our front drive and follow Beaulieu Road past the shops on your right and Hythe Hospital on your left to the small roundabout. Turn right there up Mullins Lane.
Continue on the same road [the newer part is called Challenger Way] and look out for a good view of the cruise ships in Southampton Docks on your right. Then you start your descent towards Applemore through well wooded housing till, at the end of a flat or slightly rising section you find Cumberland Way on your left. Turn down there and wind your way towards a small roundabout. If you missed the turn into Cumberland Way, turn left at the first roundabout and then right at the T junction to get to the same point.
At the roundabout keep going straight on past Applemore Leisure Centre and find the cycle track on your right. Take that to the main road and use the cycleways to get across into the New Forest. Do take care here: someone walking his dog was killed crossing this road a few years ago. The traffic comes thick and fast.
Once on the forest road (signed to Lyndhurst) carry on to the crossroads at Ipley. Watch for crossing traffic, which has right of way, and then carry straight on for a couple of miles crossing the upper reaches of Beaulieu River at Ipley and then over undulating heath land to a T junction.
Turn right here, past the Beaulieu Hotel and Beaulieu Road Pub (another suggetsed watering hole), over the hump backed bridge and past Shatterford car park where another recommended walk starts. The view opens out again to trees on the left: Denny Wood. At the campsite the road bends sharply to the right, drops down to cross the now very tiny Beaulieu River again, then climbs up to Matley Ridge and carries on to Lyndhurst.
You arrive at Boltons Bench, where there is a cricket ground. At the T junction by Appletree Court (The offices of New Forest District Council) and the Lyndhurst Park Hotel turn left. Enter the one way system and immediately turn right into the car park.
Once in the car park aim up the slope for the far right corner and find Church Lane. At the end get through the gate and climb up over old gravestones to the church, skirting it on the right hand side and then taking the path down to the road. Here the traffic is against you, so stay on the pavement to the road junction and then remount, aiming up the hill for Christchurch and Bournemouth.
Soon, opposite The Swan pub there is a turn to the right between Swan Green and a prominent thatched cottage. Take the turn and pant up the hill. Over the crest of the hill you'll find the New Forest Inn on your left.
To return, coast down to the main road past one of the most photographed thatched cottages in England. At the junction join the traffic into Lyndhurst, past the Queen's House where the Verderers' Court sits, the Church and the Crown Hotel. Straight on at the traffic lights down the High Street, and straight on again towards Southampton till you see the Lyndhurst Park Hotel on your right.
Just past the hotel turn right across open forest towards Beaulieu. Pass Matley Passage on your left and at the corner, Denny Wood on your right. Soon you'll be over the hump-backed bridge at Beaulieu Road Station. The Beaulieu Road Pub (yet another venue!) is there for a drink if you're parched.
In 500 metres take the left turn signposted Hythe. Watch out at Ipley crossroads for traffic on the other road, which has right of way; carry straight on to the roundabout on the A326 roundabout.
Follow the cycle track signs towards Applemore Sports Centre, then ride between the centre and Tesco to a small roundabout: straight on along a residential road that becomes Cumberland Way. At the T junction turn right into the serpentine Challenger Way and up the short sharp hill to the back of Orchard School (from where you may again be able to see cruise ships in Southampton Water away to your left) and on to the mini-roundabout on Beaulieu Road. Turn left and you're almost home.
We hope you enjoyed your journey through the New Forest.
Map reference: SU 286 084
Postcode: SO43 7DY
Telephone: 023 8028 4690
