off B3055 SO42 7WB SU3528 0253 on the Brockenhurst to Beaulieu road. Cycling and walking tracks in abundance – all well-maintained. Some hills and lots of foraging fun for off lead dog exercise. Just north
off B3055 SO42 7WB SU3528 0253 on the Brockenhurst to Beaulieu road.
Cycling and walking tracks in abundance – all well-maintained. Some hills and lots of foraging fun for off lead dog exercise.
Just north of Beaulieu Heath, which was used as an airfield during the second World War, is the large Hawkhill Inclosure. After the 1851 Deer removal Act this area was enclosed in 1870.
Close to the car park it seems very stark and there are many signs of the wartime storage facilities remains – bombs were kept here in bunkers and then prepared on platforms. The fuses, tail sections and safety pins were added on platforms before the bombs were wheeled to the airfield on trolleys. There are brickworks, concrete platforms and sections of concrete roads.
Walk on , however, and the delights of Hawkhill appear – varied woodland and many tracks in all directions.
Small areas are cut in rotation, giving opportunities for butterflies to flourish and this area is also great for dragonflies with species spotted here including hawkers, chasers, skimmers and darters as well as damselflies. The Worts Gutter waterway attracts the rare dark green fritillary butterfly.
Bird watchers will be delighted by the chance to see Dartford warblers, nightjars, stonechats, meadow pipits and skylarks around Hawkhill. Fallen log stacks and remains of walls encourage lizards and there is plenty of fungi in the fir wood sections particularly.
The further you walk from the car park the more likely you are to spot herds of muntjac and roe deer.
At the furthest point, we are particularly taken with an area of beechwoods – stunning in the Spring fresh canopy of leaves and well worth a return visit in autumn!