Newbro two

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this route on 22 August 2023, as part of the National Parks Trail. I'm rating it as 3 stars for the reasons below. I’ve also surveyed the route - approximately 40% on roads (4 out of 7.5 miles)

New Milton to New Forest : Approx. 2.5 miles
From New Milton station the first part of the walk is along residential roads (and bus route) and is dull. Once you reach Ashley @ 1.25 miles, there is a short section along a main road with busy traffic in both directions with no verge or footpath. I felt unsafe at this point and had to stop and wait for any heavy traffic to pass. It's easy to miss the turn off the main road to Danestream Farm (see pic 1).

A well-made track reduces in width after 0.5 miles and then after a stile becomes a narrow path alongside fields. (pic 2) At the height of summer the growth of the bushes and trees made the path even more narrow and it was quite difficult to avoid the barbed wire fencing on the other side. This path leads to a rickety stile which then leads onto open New Forest heath. (pic 3) It is very easy to miss and if you do, you end up in the garden of a private house... (Broadley Farm)

Across the New Forest : Approx. 3.75 miles
It’s difficult to be sure you are starting on the correct path as there are many well-worn routes. I frequently felt the need to check my actual position against the plotted GPX route. There are gentle up and down gradients for the first half mile of open land, but it’s easy to pick the wrong track and enter areas of dense bracken and gorse. (pic 4 & 5) I was quite wary of snakes...

Eventually the track becomes visibly well-worn through use and therefore easier to follow. It's a pleasant walk beside the forested area (Great Ashen Bank) with some quite muddy areas, even in August. A small stream needs to be crossed by an improvised plank. (pic 6) There’s a properly constructed bridge (pic 7 & 8) across a larger stream and then it’s uphill to an open heath area.

There's a perfect shady place to stop for a break on the right hand side of the track, just before a road crossing - marked by a white pole. (pic 9) Beware that traffic moves fast along this road, despite the nearby cattle grid. This is about the halfway point across the New Forest part of this walk.

From here on the route is totally exposed to the elements, it was very hot and the track dusty across the open land with heather and burned shrub and gorse. The track leads under a bridge (pic 10) then immediately RIGHT, though there is no obvious track to follow. I mistakenly went straight ahead for a few hundred yards towards Hincheslea bog, before I realised I’d gone wrong.

The track is now less exposed and there are many ponies feeding or sleeping in the wooded areas – so take care not to startle them or their foals. The final part of the forest walk reverts to narrow 'alleyways' along the edge of fields. (pic 11 & 12) This was very overgrown (in August) and about 0.5 metres wide in places. There are various stiles, latched gates and kissing gates along this section between the different fields. On reaching Worthys Farm you are back on the main road through the New Forest. Beware - it’s quite easy to miss the stile which takes you out of the farm courtyard. Along the road you reach Culverley Green (pic 13) where there is a cattle grid then open track.

Culverley Green to Brockenhurst Station - Approx. 1.25 miles
This part of the route feels really contrived and odd. Avoiding the obvious main road route it takes you along a series of grubby lanes along the back of gardens and across a footbridge over the railway line (pic 14) and then through further overgrown and very narrow lanes. At one point the passage is totally blocked and you need to limbo or climb over a fallen tree. (pic 15) Eventually you reach the other main road into Brockenhurst (this is on the other side of the railway track) This road leads up to the level crossing and then the station. There is fast-moving traffic in both directions with no clear verge or footpath. I felt unsafe for the 100 metres along this road.

I think the last section of the walk from Culverley Green to Brockenhurst Station through these lanes and then a possibly dangerous stretch of main road should be reconsidered and perhaps amended.

Despite reservations I still recommend this route as it’s a good and varied walk across the New Forest. I suggest having an active GPX tracking app in order to navigate the New Forest section.

The first part (or last depending on where you start) between New Milton and Ashley is a little un eventful as you walk along residential streets, however once you turn into brick hills lane it suddenly feels like a more rural open air walk. There is no footpath along a large part of Brickhills lane and it is used often by cars, so care is needed as not all drivers follow the 30mph limit. Beyond that it is a really great rural route, most of it being quite suitable for those with wheels . Picture attached shows part of route which would only work for those on foot.

This is quite a tricky Slow Way between the train stations of New Milton and Brockenhurst.

It's a lovely tranquil route in places leading you through the New Forest, however the paths aren't that clearly marked in places and it was quite boggy in January.

Crossing rivulets on plank bridges adds to the excitement, although clearly reduce accessibility!

There was a little bit of road walking towards New Milton.

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could. It will be easier in summer months. Suitable for an accompanied 13 year old though.

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