Turn left out of our drive onto the main road to Southampton, turning right at the roundabout onto the A326.
Continue along the A326 and at the third roundabout turn left for Cadnam.
At Cadnam roundabout take the second exit for the M27, and at that roundabout go under the motorway, taking the second exit for Brook.
After about a mile, having passed the Green Dragon pub on your left and with the Bell Inn on your right, carefully avoid the left fork to Rufus Stone and Stoney Cross, but instead select the middle road towards Fritham and Downton. This goes straight on, but takes a kink to the left where the main road bears right.
The road passes through dense woodland: watch out for the sudden appearance of deer crossing the road unexpectedly, and in the autumn for families of pigs snuffling acorns.
As the road emerges from the wooded section keep straight on over the crossroads, but after another half mile turn right at the next crossroads towards Nomansland and Landford. The road meets woodland, takes a sharp turn to the right, and descends sharply. With the road rising again, bear left and at the crest of the hill in Nomansland watch out for Les Mirabelles on your left, just past the pub.
To vary your journey back, keep going along the road to the next crossroads and turn right for the return to Cadnam. Go under the motorway and at the next roundabout take the third exit for Lyndhurst.
Arriving at Lyndhurst turn left at the traffic lights, signed A35 Southampton, but watch for the Lyndhurst Park Hotel on the right and immediately past that take the right turn over the Forest towards Beaulieu. Crest the hump-backed bridge at Beaulieu Road Station and in 500 metres, just past the Beaulieu Road Hotel, take the left turn signposted Hythe. Watch out at Ipley crossroads for crossing traffic which has priority. Carry straight on to the roundabout on the A326 where you turn right along the straight stretch to the large roundabout for the left turn back past Dibden Purlieu to Arden House.
Phew!! We hope you enjoyed your dinner - and the drive through the New Forest.
Map reference: SU 255 176
Postcode: SP5 2BN
Telephone: 01794 390205
