NEW FOREST WALK from BOLTON'S BENCH (LYNDHURST) TO MATLEY WOOD (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K)

In this episode of my series “Walks in the New Forest”, I take a 5 mile circular walk from Bolton's Bench (on the South East side of Lyndhurst) to Matley Wood and back. Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.

I parked my car at the Forestry England car park by Bolton's Bench which is situated on the South Eastern edge of Lyndhurst – the capital of the New Forest.

Bolton's Bench is one of those iconic places for photos in the area & is very popular with tourists. It is a natural knoll & the bench at the top, that surrounds a clump of yew trees, commemorates the 3rd Duke of Bolton who was the Lord Warden of the New Forest in the 18th century.

I initially head South East towards the cemetery before climbing up on to a ridge and following the route of the Park Pale -a bank & ditch that once surrounded a medieval deer park. Along the way, I enjoy some great views across the heathland of White Moor.

After stopping to allow Logan to have some “zoomies” in a large sand pit, I continued Southwards towards Matley Ridge. I was thrilled to come across some Devil's Finger Fungi – a quire colourful and strange looking piece of vegetation!

My route takes me across the ancient track known as Salt Way and just before entering Matley Wood, I explore the area that was once used as a Trench Mortar school in the First World War.

Matley Wood is one of my favourite parts of the New Forest, full of magnificent oak & beech trees so I spent a long time walking in there. I was filming in late November and the Autumnal colours were at their best.

Leaving Matley Wood, I head to Matley Ridge & past the location of what was one a War Dog Training school in WW1. There has been a lot of tree felling in that area since my last visit 3 years ago – it looks like the land is being restored to heathland?

I pick up with the Park Pale again on the outskirts of Holmhill Passage before starting my return journey, Northwards, back to Lyndhurst.

My final destination was The Stag (Hotel, Restaurant & Bar) in Lyndhurst.

Map courtesy of Google Maps.

For further videos in the series, please go to:    / @daveford   or my website at https://daveford5966.wixsite.com/website

My Facebook page is:   / davescountrysidewalks  

I use a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.