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Main Instructor:

Chris Pole

Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

Starting from The Potting Shed cafe at Hyde this walk takes in heathland and forest with beautiful views.

Walking across Hyde common the views start immediately stretching as far as the Purbecks and right across the forest.

Downhill to Ogdens, over the river by bridge, then along gravel lanes towards the Hasley Hill inclosure.

Across the plain on a wide gravel path and into Alderhill Incosure, up hill to Amberwood Inclosure until we reach the top of the forest at Hampton Ridge. This is 345ft above sea level. This ridge was used as a  bombing range by the RAF during the second world war. It was used from 1940 to 1946. There is a huge concrete arrow on the ground near the trig point. The arrow is 80 feet long and points to what was an illuminated target. The remains of this are at Latchmore Bottom to the North of Hasley Inclosure. This was for night raid practise by the airforce.

Hampton Ridge is known to have been used by Bronze age people. The views are stunning and far reaching.

We are on a wide cycle trail which is flat for some time then descends back down to Abbots Well, a perpetual spring. We will make our way up past the previous home of Juliette de Bairacli-Levy. She was a herbalist and wrote Wanderers in the New Forest about the Gypsies people who lived all over the area.

Then through the village of Frogham, past the Foresters pub and across Hyde common to the cafe.

Option for food at the Potting Shed cafe which has toilets. There is a Deli shop and icecream booth next door where the garden centre is. The last orders for the lunch menu in the cafe is 2 45 pm. The cafe has a selection of cakes. 

Please park at the back of the cafe.

3/4 of this walk is exposed so dress for the conditions on the day. This route can be breezy at the high point. Bring plenty of water/snack. We will stop several times for a drink.

Please be tick aware and spray arms etc.

Location Notes:

Please park at the back of the cafe. The Potting Shed serves delicious food. Option to go in after the walk for refreshments.