There’s more to the New Forest than just trees, 8 miles, easy/moderate

Calendar

When:

August 11, 2024 @ 11:05 am – 3:30 pm

2024-08-11T11:05:00+01:00

2024-08-11T15:30:00+01:00

Where:

Sway railway station
Station Rd
Sway, Lymington SO41 6BA
UK

Contact:

Tom H & Shannon

Walk

easy/moderate Linear medium pace pubilc transport public transport The New Forest Walk

This 8-mile linear walk from Sway to Brockenhurst will take in some of the variety of the New Forest, and offers the chance to see some New Forest ponies!

Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can, so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.

Pace: medium. Ascent: 72m.

Walk details

We’ll start the walk by heading northwest out of Sway and through Set Thorns Inclosure. After that there is a sharp change to the landscape as we cross some of the open heathland which is as important a part of the New Forest’s unique landscape and ecosystem as the woodland. We will almost certainly see many of the famous New Forest ponies during this walk!

For a time, we will return to the woods and follow the Ober Water, one of the headwaters of the Lymington River, before turning south across Black Knowl to finish the walk in Brockenhurst, which has a choice of pubs and cafes to enjoy while waiting for the train home!

Travel details

By public transport

If travelling from Reading, take the 09:12 South Western Railway train towards Salisbury, and get off at Basingstoke around 09:32. Then take the 09:48 South Western Railway train towards Poole & Portsmouth Harbour, which arrives into Sway at 11:01.

At the end of the walk, return trains to Reading leave Brockenhurst at :09 (change at Basingstoke) and :33 (change at Southampton Central) minutes past the hour, and take about 90 minutes to get back to Reading.

By car

We suggest parking at Brockenhurst Station and catching the 10:57 South Western Railway train towards Poole & Portsmouth Harbour, which arrives into Sway at 11:01. This car park has 236 spaces, and you pay via RingGo code 2016. Postcode: SO42 7TW. What3words: ///fulfilled.gladiator.corkscrew.

Notes

Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
Please feel free to contact the leaders with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Booking onto a walk

Most walks do not require advance booking, and you can just turn up on the day. We encourage those comfortable with Meetup to indicate there that you plan to come though, so that others can see there will be plenty of people there – this really helps to encourage new members to come along.
For the few which still have limited numbers, this is handled via Meetup. Follow the link to a walk’s Meetup page (or press 🎟 Register / 🎟 Tickets / 🎟), and mark yourself as attending.
Social and other events may have their own booking system – please see the event description.

Pace Guide

Gentle: led at a gentle pace with regular short breaks for water or rest. Should be suitable for anyone capable of the distance. (Expect 2–2.5 mph.)
Medium: led at an intermediate pace with fewer breaks but still suitable for most walkers. (Expect 2.5–3 mph.)
Fast: led at a quick pace with minimal breaks. May be a challenge for those with less fitness. (Expect 3 mph+.)

Speeds quoted are only a rough guide, including time spent on short water/rest stops and negotiating stiles/gates/roads etc. but not that spent on longer lunch or pub stops.