Enjoying the countrysideHampshire boasts an extremely rich and diverse countryside and an extensive network of public paths which provide a range of opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. Rights of way are linear routes, often ancient trackways through deep countryside; there are over 3,000 miles of these in Hampshire. The map in this leaflet may also show access to other areas of land, such as commons, woodland, recreation grounds or conservation areas, and your Parish Council may know of guided walks or events. Many people will be able to reach the countryside within a few hundred yards of home and the plants, trees and views along the same paths often change dramatically through the seasons. We hope that this leaflet will encourage you to explore and enjoy your local countryside.

Exploring Fordingbridge

Maintaining rights of way

Hampshire County Council:

•Ensuresthatrightsof way are not obstructed

•Maintainsthesurfaceina fit condition for its intended use

•Maintainssomebridges

•Signpostsandwaymarks paths

•Authorisesstilesand gates

•Keepsthedefinitivemap up to date

Landowners:

•Keepbacksidegrowthand overhanging vegetation

•Reinstatepathsacrossfieldsafterploughing or planting crops

•Maintainmoststilesandgates

•Shouldnotobstructpathsor deter use of them

•Shouldnotploughpathsatfieldedges

•Shouldnotkeepdangerousanimals (including certain bulls) on paths

8043

1 P

RIN

TE

D B

Y H

AM

PS

HIR

E P

RIN

TIN

G S

ER

VIC

ES

019

62 8

7009

9

Useful ContactsFordingbridge Town Council 01425 65413463 High St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AS www.fordingbridge.gov.uk

Post Office

Unit 1, Upton House, 01425 653126 51 Salisbury St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AB

Visitor Information CentreKings Yard, 01425 654560 off Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge fordingbridgevic@btconnect.com

Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Societywww.rffs.org.uk

Public Transport & taxi servicesWilts & Dorset bus company 01983 827005 www.wdbus.co.uk (X3 service from Salisbury to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge)Fordingbridge Cars 01425 652676Express Cars 01425 650000

Tourist InformationHampshire County CouncilInformation Centre 0845 603 5636For further information on access to the countryside please contact Hampshire County Council on the above number or visit www.hants.gov.uk/countrysideDisclaimer: Published by Fordingbridge Town Council, Hampshire County Council and the New Forest National Park Authority, through the Small Grants Scheme. The routes described have been put forward by the Town Council. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this leaflet, Hampshire County Council is unable to accept any responsibility for accident or loss resulting from the information within this leaflet.

Using local pathsMany rights of way cross private land, and we ask you to bear this in mind by keeping to the path and being responsible when using them. There are four types, as shown on the map key; please check which paths you are entitled to use (for example, cyclists cannot use footpaths). Wheelchairs, pushchairs and dogs are allowed on all types of right of way. Any permissive paths or areas marked are not rights of way, but the landowner has given permission for the public to use them.

To ensure that the countryside is protected for future generations be sure to:

•Besafe–wearsuitableclothingandshoesand take care when crossing roads

•Planaheadandfollowanysigns

•Leavegatesandpropertyasyoufindthemand take your litter home

•Protectplantsandanimals

•Keepdogsunderclosecontrol

•Considerotherpeople

The Hampshire Avon runs through this small town that lies 13 miles south of Salisbury. To the east is the

New Forest and to the west are the Western Downlands and Cranborne Chase. Fordingbridge is surrounded by attractive villages and hamlets including Bickton, Breamore, Godshill, Hyde, Rockbourne and Woodgreen.

The area was populated from early times with the remains of significant Roman occupation

which is still evident at Rockbourne Roman villa. The 13th century church of St. Mary’s is well worth a visit. A road bridge crossing over the river Avon was established in the 14th century and the current bridge dates from the 19th century. Close to the bridge is a statue of the artist

Augustus John who lived in the Town and surrounding area until his death

in 1961. He is buried in Stuckton Road cemetery.

There is an attractive Recreation Ground and Memorial Gardens and numerous cafes and hostelries in the town for refreshment.

There are many attractive walks in the area; information and leaflets can be obtained from the Visitor Information Centre at Kings Yard, off Salisbury Street.

Enjoying the countrysideHampshire boasts an extremely rich and diverse countryside and an extensive network of public paths which provide a range of opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. Rights of way are linear routes, often ancient trackways through deep countryside; there are over 3,000 miles of these in Hampshire. The map in this leaflet may also show access to other areas of land, such as commons, woodland, recreation grounds or conservation areas, and your Parish Council may know of guided walks or events. Many people will be able to reach the countryside within a few hundred yards of home and the plants, trees and views along the same paths often change dramatically through the seasons. We hope that this leaflet will encourage you to explore and enjoy your local countryside.

Exploring Fordingbridge

Maintaining rights of way

Hampshire County Council:

• Ensuresthatrightsof way are not obstructed

• Maintainsthesurfaceina fit condition for its intended use

• Maintainssomebridges

• Signpostsandwaymarks paths

• Authorisesstilesand gates

• Keepsthedefinitivemap up to date

Landowners:

• Keepbacksidegrowthand overhanging vegetation

• Reinstatepathsacrossfieldsafterploughing or planting crops

• Maintainmoststilesandgates

• Shouldnotobstructpathsor deter use of them

• Shouldnotploughpathsatfieldedges

• Shouldnotkeepdangerousanimals (including certain bulls) on paths

80431 PR

INT

ED

BY

HA

MP

SH

IRE

PR

INT

ING

SE

RV

ICE

S 01962 870099

Useful ContactsFordingbridge Town Council 01425 65413463 High St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AS www.fordingbridge.gov.uk

Post Office

Unit 1, Upton House, 01425 653126 51 Salisbury St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AB

Visitor Information CentreKings Yard, 01425 654560 off Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge fordingbridgevic@btconnect.com

Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Societywww.rffs.org.uk

Public Transport & taxi servicesWilts & Dorset bus company 01983 827005 www.wdbus.co.uk (X3 service from Salisbury to Bournemouth via Fordingbridge)Fordingbridge Cars 01425 652676Express Cars 01425 650000

Tourist InformationHampshire County CouncilInformation Centre 0845 603 5636For further information on access to the countryside please contact Hampshire County Council on the above number or visit www.hants.gov.uk/countrysideDisclaimer: Published by Fordingbridge Town Council, Hampshire County Council and the New Forest National Park Authority, through the Small Grants Scheme. The routes described have been put forward by the Town Council. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this leaflet, Hampshire County Council is unable to accept any responsibility for accident or loss resulting from the information within this leaflet.

Using local pathsMany rights of way cross private land, and we ask you to bear this in mind by keeping to the path and being responsible when using them. There are four types, as shown on the map key; please check which paths you are entitled to use (for example, cyclists cannot use footpaths). Wheelchairs, pushchairs and dogs are allowed on all types of right of way. Any permissive paths or areas marked are not rights of way, but the landowner has given permission for the public to use them.

To ensure that the countryside is protected for future generations be sure to:

• Besafe–wearsuitableclothingandshoesand take care when crossing roads

• Planaheadandfollowanysigns

• Leavegatesandpropertyasyoufindthemand take your litter home

• Protectplantsandanimals

• Keepdogsunderclosecontrol

• Considerotherpeople

The Hampshire Avon runs through this small town that lies 13 miles south of Salisbury. To the east is the

New Forest and to the west are the Western Downlands and Cranborne Chase. Fordingbridge is surrounded by attractive villages and hamlets including Bickton, Breamore, Godshill, Hyde, Rockbourne and Woodgreen.

The area was populated from early times with the remains of significant Roman occupation

which is still evident at Rockbourne Roman villa. The 13th century church of St. Mary’s is well worth a visit. A road bridge crossing over the river Avon was established in the 14th century and the current bridge dates from the 19th century. Close to the bridge is a statue of the artist

Augustus John who lived in the Town and surrounding area until his death

in 1961. He is buried in Stuckton Road cemetery.

There is an attractive Recreation Ground and Memorial Gardens and numerous cafes and hostelries in the town for refreshment.

There are many attractive walks in the area; information and leaflets can be obtained from the Visitor Information Centre at Kings Yard, off Salisbury Street.

0 0.5 10.25 Mile

New Forest National Park

Footpath

Bridleway

Restricted byway

Byway open to all traffic

Open Access Land - Open Country

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. HCC 100019180 2009

Walk 1 – Hyde Distance 3.5 miles

From Abbots Well Car Park walk to the viewpoint and turn right to follow track towards a white house. Cross the minor road and continue on the track ahead. Go through kissing gate on right and follow left field edge, cross a stile and through more kissing gates to the road. Cross the road and stile opposite and follow track to cross another stile. Turn left then right at the path T junction. Before path veers right, turn left over a stile into woodland. Keep on this path, over a stile and between the houses to the road at Frogham Hill. Turn right along the road then right over a stile before Celandine House. Cross another stile, cross the field and then over a stile and footbridge, climbing slightly to reach another stile. Cross this and turn right to cross another stile immediately.

Follow the path, crossing stiles and a bridge, with Ditchend Brook on your right. Cross the Brook via a bridge on the right and follow field edge with the wood on the left. Cross a footbridge on the left, through the wood, then over a stile. At the fingerpost turn right to Blissford, then straight ahead to a metal gate then the road. Turn right onto Blissford Hill and take footpath on right. Cross the stile and follow field edge on left, over a ditch to another

stile. Follow field edge track, entering the wood on left.

Turn left at path junction, then right onto road.

Turn left and follow road to Forrester’s Arms and back to the car park.

Walk 2 – Godshill Distance 3.25 miles

From the Godshill Cricket Pitch car park walk towards the Fighting Cocks pub and take the first right. Walk 150 yards past the village hall and take the footpath on the left (stile). Follow path to the end of the field and then turn right descending to a stile. Follow the path through a copse, across a gravel track and continue on until you reach a metal gate. Turn left follow the footpath signs (stream on your right), crossing stiles and eventually a bridge. After this, walk between hedges to reach two cottages (Brook and Arden). Follow the route along the edge of the road descending down eventually to a cattle grid (gate and stile). Continue along, passing buildings and a yard, taking the second path on left.

Follow this then take the footpath on the right through woodland to reach a stile into a field ahead. Cross the stile and bear left across the corner of the field following the fence on the left for 50 yards to a stile into woodland. Proceed uphill on the gravel track. Ignore path and stile to the left and bear right continuing on gravel track. Follow the path past sewage plant and phone mast. Bear slightly left on main track and go through a gateway. Take stile on the left into field and follow field edge to another stile exiting onto a hedged path. Turn right and keep straight ahead into another field. Follow hedge on left through a kissing gate and turn right to follow field edge to reach road. Turn right and walk up road. At Fighting Cocks pub turn left to return to the car park.

Walk 3 – Around Fordingbridge Distance 7 miles

Park in main car park. Leave the car park into the High Street and turn right. Turn left down Provost Street to Fordingbridge Parish Church. Take Avon Valley Path (AVP) through churchyard, passing the sewage works. Cross two bridges then leave the AVP and cross the wooden bridge over the Avon. Continue to cross watercourses to reach Bickton Mill. Turn right with the road then left between the cottages. Turn right onto the signed footpath, then left crossing stiles, a gravel track, then a field diagonally to the A338 road.

Cross the A338 and take the path opposite. Cross the field to another road. Turn left and walk to the corner where there is a stile and a fingerpost. Cross the stile and take the left path diagonally across the field to another stile and continue on the path to reach stream and road. Turn left passing the Three Lions. Take the second footpath on the right. Continue on this path and cross a metal bridge. Make for the right hand corner and cross a stile to reach the road. Turn right and walk on the path alongside the road, crossing when the path does so.

Take the signed footpath on the left up a grass slope and through trees to Sandy Balls Estate. Follow the footpath between the chalets bearing left to the Woodside Inn and then keep straight ahead on the roadway (route now waymarked).

Start to descend into a wooded area passing a phone mast on your left. The track will then bend left again and descend further, passing a stile on the right. Cross the stile ahead to reach the water meadows and turn right. Cross a further stile on your right to follow the path through woodland. Turn left at the junction continuing downhill to the gateway. Turn left and follow the path through the water meadows to a suspension bridge leading to Burgate Manor Farm. Follow the track to the A338 and cross. Turn right and pass the Tudor Rose pub then take the track on your left (AVP).

This track quickly divides. Take the right branch and continue, then take a left turn and follow the path to Pennys Lane which leads you to Whitsbury Road. Continue along Whitsbury Road to the junction with Green Lane and then follow The Bartons back in to the car park.

New Forest National Park Boundary

Footpath

Bridleway

Restricted Byway

Byway open to all traffic

Areas believed to offer public access

Circular Walk

0 0.5 10.25 Mile

New Forest National Park

Footpath

Bridleway

Restricted byway

Byway open to all traffic

Open Access Land - Open Country

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. HCC 100019180 2010