SU 268047 SO42 7QB Easy accessible walks of various length. One entrance is from the A35 2 miles west of Lyndhurst and it can also be approached from the end of Brockenhurst high street past
SU 268047 SO42 7QB
Easy accessible walks of various length.
One entrance is from the A35 2 miles west of Lyndhurst and it can also be approached from the end of Brockenhurst high street past the Rhinefield Hotel. The no 6 bus goes through Brockenhurst and there is a train station too.
One of the most popular attractions of the New Forest , the spectacular Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, created in the 1850s for the drive up to Rhinefield House, this can be very busy. However, early or out of season it can still be a tranquil and magical place!
The pine-scented Tall Trees trail is easily accessible, only about 1.5 miles in length on accessible paths and winds its way through the remarkable firs and redwoods, which form a valued part of the national collection. There is also the Blackwater Arboretum and a sensory trail. Trees to see here include Douglas fir (some of the the UK’s tallest and oldest), Giant Sequoia, 2 imposing 50 m tall redwoods and conifers, silver firs, cypress and red cedar – there are information boards and plenty of seats to sit and relax. Oak, ash and beeches trees are in abundance and in spring the azaleas and pink rhodendrums add extra colour.
The arboretum has a selection of trees from around the world and there are plenty of benches to sit and relax as well as invitations to touch, smell and listen to particular trees.
There are two main car parks at Blackwater ( with toilets) and Brockhill – please do not park on the verges!
Firecrests and hawfinches thrive here and you may also spot roe deer, wild boar and New Forest ponies.
Beyond the arboretum are further paths for those who seek longer walks and you can also walk to the Knightwood Oak (there is a car park here too). This 500 year old tree is the “Queen of the Forest” and has a girth of 7.38 metres – so far. Enclosed in a fenced area, it is an easy walk to reach and is a great example of the ancient art of pollarding. Until large straight trunks were needed for shipbuilding in Tudor time, it was customary to pollard trees to promote fresh branches rather than one main trunk. The Knightwood is a pedunculate oak tree.
There is a short trail of 0.25 miles, which is accessible for buggies and wheelchairs and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic.
Well worth visiting for its incredible beauty at any time of the year, Rhinefield is a good place for an easy stroll to take very young or more mature visitors, perhaps! It is known as one of the top 5 places in the UK to enjoy autumn colour.
SO43 7GR SU 26311 06331