Forrom four

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Due to the overall length of this route (30km) I walked it over two days, splitting it into roughly two equal halves. It is an enjoyable route leading through varied landscapes such as New Forest heathland as well as wooded areas, a RSPB nature reserve and open fields and farmland. On the first day I started in Fordingbridge heading east towards the hamlet of Canada on a sunny spring day. The second part covered the route from Canada to Romsey, again on a sunny spring day, however following a fairly wet day. It took about 6.5 hrs of total walking time for the two sections. There are a number of bus stops and pubs on route. The route leaves Fordingbridge via the B 3078 on a path running beside the road. After approximately 1km a footpath leads off to the left up a steep hill. At the time of walking this was quite muddy. As this path links up again with the B 3078 after about 500m, one could avoid it by carrying on the B road towards Godshill. After passing the Fighting Cocks pub in Godshill one continues alongside or on the B 3078 for about 2 km to the second car park on the right. From here the route leads downhill (ca 12% gradient at places) on a wide gravel pathway in an south-easterly direction. In Pitts Wood Inclosure one has to ford a small brook. A long and almost straight track runs towards the B3078 or Roger Penny Way at Telegraph Hill. Once across the B3078 one leaves the New Forest National Park and enters the Franchises RSPB reserve. A wide gravel track through woodland leads through the reserve. Shortly after the start of this track one descends a hill which in some places has a gradient of about 20%. When leaving the RSPB reserve the route continues on a small country road towards Nomandsland and then after having crossed the B3079 one quickly reaches the entrance to Deazle Wood. Up to this point the route could be accessed with wheeled transport such as a mountain bike, an off-road pushchair or a rugged wheelchair. However, further on a number of different obstacles (gates, stiles, steps) and rough surfaces, would make wheeled transport probably very difficult or impossible. The section through the beech wood at Deazle Wood is very pretty. Once leaving the wood one crosses Sturtmoor Common with the path running over fairly wet and soft ground, until one reaches Canada Common at the outskirts of the hamlet of Canada. Canada Road leads up to the crossing of the A36 and there is a bus stop close to the roundabout. This is the approximate halfway point of the total route. Having crossed the A36 the route leads north through the village of West Wellow. Once past King's Farm there is a ford to cross, which at the time I walked the route, had about 2 feet of water. Luckily a path on the right leads to a foot bridge. Through two kissing gates and a short section of a muddy uphill climb, one reaches St Margaret's Church in East Wellow. After crossing a country lane the route carries on over a crop field and then turns north over some fairly wet and soft fields until it reaches another country lane leading to the A27. Once across the A27 and a short section of walking beside the road, one has to cross the first stile to enter a very picturesque wooded area. The path becomes very muddy at times. Once out of the wood there is a double stile and a footbridge to cross. The path then runs through very wet fields with standing water. Most of this, can be somewhat avoided by walking along a fence to the left, however any footwear not reaching well above the ankle, would result in wet feet. The path carries on through fields (free running cattle) with a number of gates and stiles before one reaches Sadler's Mill at the periphery of Romsey.
I very much enjoyed walking this route as it has a lot to offer with respect to varying country side and some beautiful views. The road sections are fairly quiet and one can safely cross the busier roads. However there are some access issues for any type of wheeled transport in places, especially on the second part of the route, hence only a three start rating.

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