• Share:

Main Instructor:

Click to View: Nordic Walking New Forest Instructor Page

Hosted By:

Suzanne Madden

Walk Description:

Ashley Walk is a popular area near the rural village of Godshill, in the north of the New Forest.

The walk is mainly open heathland with big skies!  The heathland is quite high up (a bit of a hill to start and at the end, but otherwise flat) so you can see for miles!  Towards the end of the walk there is some ancient ornamental woodland.This walk takes you round the perimeter of what was a major Second World War site, Ashley Bombing Range. Still clearly visible are the chalk target markings, numerous bomb and mortar craters and an observation shelter, along with many other tell-tale signs of wartime bomb-testing activities.

After the walk, it's a two minute drive to the Fighting Cocks for a 1.30 lunch (this pub was actually used as an officers' mess where allegedly Churchill and Eisenhower met to discuss the Bounding Bomb!

Numbers for this need to be confirmed by 27 October and we'll pre-order our food so please choose from the following: https://thefightingcockspub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/New-Sunday-menu-10.10.24.pdf

Because this walk is very exposed, it is weather dependent.  If the forecast isn't looking good, we may need to cancel but the lunch will go ahead regardless!

Location Notes:

Forestry England Car Park