We are the Eastleigh Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
We will be exploring the marginal settlements on the western edge of the New Forest and then make our way down to the water meadows of the Avon Valley. We will encounter a selection of animals along the way including pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, horses and donkeys. After passing through querky Fordingbridge we will pick up the Avon Valley Path and cross the river at the lovely Bicton Mill.
The going is fairly easy with good paths and tracks and some lanes. There are 10 stiles, but they are well maintained and easy to negotiate. There is a soggy bit at a place called Ditchend(!) so boots rather than walking shoes now. The very last section is a bit steeper up a track for the last 100 metres.
Bring refreshments for a half way coffee stop.
The car park at Gorley Common is free and spacious but strangely not listed on Google Maps or as a New Forest National Park car park. There are two car parks here and we are going to be using the on off Buddle Hill. They are both indicated on the OS map though.
It's a bit tricky to find but it is on the right hand side of Buddle Hill (the road from North Gorley to Frogham) as the road levels out after passing two thatched cottages on the left as you go up the hill. I shall stand on the corner of the track entrance as there is no sign there either.
Gorley Common Car Park, Buddle Hill near North Gorley. Take the M27 and A 31 towards Ringwood. At Ringwood, turn off right onto the A338 towards Fordingbridge. After about 6 miles, passing the New Forest Water Park on your left, turn right sign posted to North Gorley. After about a mile, there is a staggered cross roads where you turn left and then right to go up Buddle Hill. This is a narrow single track road. After about 1 mile, past two thatched cottages on the left, the road levels off, and a track on the right takes you up to the car park.
