New Forest Sites

Hampton Ridge

Bramshaw - Hampton Ridge has a gravel track running along the top of a ridge with a high advantage point looking down on Long Bottom one side of the track and Latchmore bottom on the other.
Latchmore Bottom has a stream, Latchmore Brook, running through it and tends to be a favorite grazing area for both horses and cattle. Be careful around Latchmore Bottom as there are one or two hidden bogs.
The views from the ridge at the south side of Latchmore Bottom, looking north, can also be good.Situated in the north of the New Forest near Bramshaw.
Parking at Telegraph Hill (Bramshaw) 3 miles, Abbotts Well (Frogham).0.5 miles, Fritham 2.5 miles.
OS grid Ref SU188 136
 

Iron Wells Pond (Fritham)

Fritham - This site has a large car park and can get busy in the summer months. Iron Wells pond is popular with some wild foul including one or two pairs of Mandarin duck. In the surrounding woodland you could see Blue Tits, Great Tits, Marsh/Willow Tits, Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers….
There is a gravel track from the pond going east taking you through some of the woodland then coming out into Longcross Plain. From this track I have taken some nice pictures of the sun rising over the plain.There is also a track going north from the pond into a large wooded area, mainly deciduous trees. This track can get very muddy.
Iron Wells pond is situated just past Fritham.
OS grid ref SU 228 146
 

Fritham Plain

Fritham - From the main car park in Fritham there is a gravel track heading south west down to Holly Hatch Cottage and along the edge of the wooded area. I have often seen deer around this area and in the woods to the south of the track.
 

Rockford Common (View Point)

Linwood - There is a three way road junction at the north west corner of Rockford Common. The road north takes you to Mockbegger, the road going south west takes you to Rockford and the road east takes you to Linwood. There is a small track south that takes you to what looks like a sand pit.
If you take the very steep track to the top of the sand pit, there area great views to the west over Blashford and Rockford lakes. I should imagine that this is a good place to photograph a nice sunset.
OS grid ref SU 164 083
 

Burley Beacon (Pond)

Burley - On the road from Burley to Bransgore, just outside of Burley, there is a car park on your left just before going over a disused railway track. If you cross the road from the car park and head north. Don’t take the main track to the west but go up the road towards Burley a little then pick up a small track heading north. About a quarter of a mile from the car park there is a large pond in very peace full surroundings. I have often seen horses drinking and wading in the water.
This is the most northern one of many ponds in this area but the least known as it cannot be seen until you are almost on top of it.
OS grid ref SU 199 021