Weekend Trip – New Forest
Friday 7th - Monday 10th February 2025

10 of us (plus the Poppy Dog) had a great weekend in the New Forest last weekend, staying in an exceptionally comfortable cottage near Lymington.

Our first day’s walking took us through the Key Haven marshes, just to the west of Lymington. Formerly what was once an industrial landscape centred around the extraction of salt is now a haven for wildlife, and something a bit special for the birdwatchers. The various raised banks enabled the walk to be shortened for those that didn’t want to walk so far, whilst the remainder of us reached Hurst Beach where we were treated to fantastic views across Poole Bay to Swanage and the Purbeck hills. Or we would have been if the cloud base wasn’t quite so low!

On the Sunday a slightly smaller group headed into the Forest proper, stepping out from Beaulieu Road station. Having planned a less demanding walk, we took advantage of the much brighter weather and excellent conditions (mostly) underfoot to extend the walk – more than once – in true Highdown style. A highlight was getting to see the Beaulieu letters, an important part of a very old airfield.  Another fantastic full day’s walking.

Our final half day’s walk saw us taking it a little bit easier as we walked beside the Beaulieu river from Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard. Rather chilly, especially in a biting February wind but a lovely way to end the weekend. 

Open log fire, lovely meals and of course, great company. And lovely beds … I was still dreaming of our exceptionally comfortable bed many days later …

Alison