Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min.jpg" alt="New Forest pony walks" class="wp-image-32366" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Horse-min-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic:&nbsp;Jason Polychronopulos/Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walk-to-the-huff-duff-4-3-miles-moderate"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/new-forest-northern-commons/walk-to-the-huff-duff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walk to the Huff Duff</a>, 4.3 miles, moderate</h2>



<p>Starting out at Rockford Common, this heathland walk near the New Forest Northern Commons descends to a tranquil wooded valley at Dockens Water, reflecting autumn colours in the ponds and streams. When you get to it, there&#8217;s also a bit of history here too &#8211; the intriguingly named Huff Duff is an old radio directional station and bunker from World War II. </p>



<p><strong>Pub pitstop:</strong> The nearby <a href="https://butcombe.com/high-corner-inn-hampshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">High Corner Inn</a> near Ringwood had a major refurb in 2023, with hearty pub classics and plenty of local ingredients on the menu.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/trail/keyhaven-walk/64e330e612ec8e5c82597408/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keyhaven Walk</a>, 2 miles, easy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven.jpg" alt="Keyhaven New Forest coastal walk autumn Hampshire" class="wp-image-32362" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/New-Forest-Walks-keyhaven-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic: Annie Spratt/Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>Breathe in the sea air, see the boats bobbing in the harbour and keep an eye out for oystercatchers, egrets, kingfishers and all kinds of other local and visiting birdlife that flock to the saltmarsh and mud flats around Keyhaven on this pretty coastal walk to the south of the New Forest. Following along the sea wall, there’s views of Keyhaven harbour and over to the Isle of Wight and Hurst Spit. </p>



<p><strong>Pub pitstop:</strong> The 18<sup>th</sup> century watering hole <a href="https://www.theguninn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gun Inn</a> is a great place for a pint and a bite to eat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/bolderwood/walking-trails-bolderwood" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walking trails at Bolderwood</a>, ½ &#8211; 2 miles, easy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32363" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Bolderwood-New-Forest-Richard-Loader-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic: Richard Loader/Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>Originally part of the Bolderwood Lodge until 1833, Bolderwood has family-friendly half, one or two-mile trails, glorious autumn colour at every turn and plenty of opportunity to see New Forest ponies passing by. Be sure to stop at the <a href="https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary-p789391" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary</a> viewing platform and look out over the meadow for a good chance of spotting some beautiful grazing deer.</p>



<p><strong>Pub pitstop: </strong>A bit to the north, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-bell-inn-lyndhurst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell Inn</a> in nearby Brook is a cosy, dog and family-friendly historic coaching stop serving delicious food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blackwater-arboretum-rhinefield-tall-trees-trail-2-miles-easy"><a href="https://newforestwalks.co.uk/walks/rhinefieldtalltrees.html/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackwater Arboretum / Rhinefield Tall Trees</a> trail, 2 miles, easy</h2>



<p>A feel-good, forest walk if ever there was one. Planted in the late 1850s to create the Ornamental Drive for the nearby Rhinefield House, enjoy soaring coast redwoods, giant sequoia and Douglas firs&nbsp;along this picture-perfect autumn trail.</p>



<p><strong>Pub pitstop:</strong> Dog and family-friendly, <a href="https://www.oakinnlyndhurst.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Oak Inn</a> at nearby Lyndhurst has loads of country pub charm and decent tucker for a post-walk lunch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/things-to-do/walking/new-forest-walks/buckland-rings-trail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckland Rings Trail,</a> 6.8 miles, moderate</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="675" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst-.jpg" alt="Roydon Woods New Forest Hampshire autumn walks" class="wp-image-25353" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst--300x203.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst--720x486.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst--768x518.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/New-Forest-walk-Brockenhurst--778x525.jpg 778w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Like a lovely long hike? Starting at Brockenhurst station and ending up in Lymington, this 2-3 hour walk through <a href="https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/roydon-woods-nature-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roydon Woods</a> nature reserve has plenty of autumn colour. Take in its ancient copses of conifer and hazel then pass over Setley Plain and on to Buckland Rings, the site of a former Iron Age hill fort. </p>



<p><strong>Pub pitstop: </strong>Right on the quay in Lymington, find well-earned refreshment afterwards at <a href="https://www.theshiplymington.co.uk/#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ship Inn</a>.</p>


5 autumn walks in the New Forest

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