Forrom three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Forrom here.

This route is good and varied, and avoids road walking where possible. It’s a long way (18 miles by this route) from Fordingbridge to Romsey, and I admit to having done it on 3 separate days, with breaks at Nomansland and Wellow. I've given it 5 stars for the interesting variety of the countryside. After taking fairly quiet roads out of Fordingbridge, it follows country footpaths to Godshill, then crosses open New Forest heathland, then goes though woodland to Nomansland and on to Canada Common. There is some road-walking along a quiet road at Wellow, followed by country footpaths and a quiet road to Shootash crossroads, then footpaths through Squabb Wood. The route finally joins the Test Way into Romsey.

In detail:
Fordingbridge to Godshill: The route goes north to avoid the busy Southampton Road (B3078), using roads with pavements in the town, then footpaths through the countryside to Godshill.

Godshill to Nomansland: From Godshill the route follows paths across the open heathland, and passes Ashley Range, the WW2 bomb target. Near Telegraph Hill the route leaves the heathland, follows the main B3078 road for approx 800m, then joins the footpath through the woods to Pipers Wait (the highest point in the New Forest, at 129m above sea level).
From Piper’s Wait to Nomansland, it takes a path through Bramshaw Wood (this is a popular walking area, and there are many paths), either diverting to the pub at Nomansland or cutting the corner to reach the B3079 Bramshaw Road.

Nomansland to Wellow: If you have have diverted to the Lamb Inn at Nomansland, then starting from the front door of the pub, looking onto the cricket pitch, the route follows the road straight ahead past the car park, heading towards the B3079 Bramshaw Road. It then leaves the road and goes though Bramshaw Wood to the Bramshaw road at Furzley Road. (Note - In wet weather it would be better to stay on the road out of Nomansland all the way to the Bramshaw Road, as the verges are wide enough for walking, and this part of the wood can be boggy.)
If cutting the corner from Pipers Wait through the Bramshaw Wood, the route heads across the B3079 to Furzley Road.
The route then follows Furzley Road for approx 600m and crosses through Deazle Wood to Plaitford Common and West Wellow Common (together comprising Canada Common) until it hits the unmade road along the edge of Canada Common. It follows this road north to the end, then cuts across the common to Corner Cottage and follows the path past the car park to the A36. (Note - In wet weather the Common can be very boggy. An option is to stay on Furzley Road, turn left at the crossroads with Furzley Lane/Blackhill Road, then in approx. 400m left again onto the road along the edge of Canada Common. At the northern end there is no dry path to reach the track past Corner Cottage, so some jumping over puddles will be required.)
At Wellow, the route follows the A36 for approx 300m and goes left shortly after the Red Rover pub onto Slab Lane, then joins Maurys Lane until it hits Romsey Road. Although this part of the route is along the road, the lane is quiet, and the verges are reasonably wide.

Wellow to Shootash Crossroads: From Wellow, shortly after joining Romsey Road the route follows the footpath, Wellow FP 24, through the fields, to join Foxes Lane at Kings Farm. It crosses over the ford on Foxes Lane, then immediately turns right onto the footpath past the new vineyard. After passing St Margaret's church (worth a detour – Florence Nightingale’s grave is here), it crosses over Hackleys Lane to the footpath through the pig field, then just before Woodington Farm joins the footpath on the left up to The Frenches. It then follows the quiet road through The Frenches to cross Tanners Lane just before Shootash crossroads, and goes via a short footpath to the A27.

Shootash crossroads to Romsey: From near Shootash crossroads, the route goes along the main A27 road for approx 600m, then at Troy House cuts off left along a footpath that skirts Squabb Wood, then goes through the wood to meet the Test Way into Romsey. It crosses the Test at Sadler’s Mill, then goes past the park and on up to the centre of Romsey.

Stops for food and drink
Fordingbridge: There are many pubs, cafes and food shops.
Godshill: The Fighting Cocks pub also does food, and there is occasionally an ice cream van at the pub.
Just after Godshill: Ice cream van, occasionally, at the first parking area on the B3078 beyond Godshill. Nomansland: The Lamb Pub at Nomansland serves food, and Les Mirabelles next door is very good, but is a proper restaurant.
Wellow: The Rockingham Arms pub on Canada Common also provides food, as does the Red Rover on the A36 at West Wellow. It’s a fairly major detour, but the ice cream at Carlo’s Ice Cream Parlour (near where Romsey Road meets Whinwhistle Road) is very good, and there is a tea-room. A shorter detour is to Headlands Farm coffee shop, off Romsey Road. There are are also shops near the roundabout on the A36 at West Wellow and on Lower Common Road (both slight detours).
Romsey: there are many good pubs, coffee shops and restaurants in Romsey, as well as food shops and supermarkets.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.