OL Explorer Map 22 – New Forest SU 253006 Satnav: SO42 7UP Good for dogs, children and families to explore. If you have a wet day and an energetic dog to exercise then I would
OL Explorer Map 22 – New Forest SU 253006 Satnav: SO42 7UP
Good for dogs, children and families to explore.
If you have a wet day and an energetic dog to exercise then I would recommend a walk around Wilverley Inclosure – one of the many in the New Forest.
Close to the A35 near Sway there is plenty of parking either at the woods or by Wilverley Plain, which is itself a great place to go – loads of space for family games. There is a large bookable picnic area and a small toilet block near the Plain car park. The plain can be busy all year round with large groups enjoying the views and facilities.
Entering by the gate marked “Scout Camp Access” will lead you onto the main gravel paths – this will take you 3.5 miles around the inclosure – described in one leaflet as “an energetic circular route”. For these paths good walking shoes or boots will suffice even in wet weather, but if you want to explore the many offshoot tracks, then very stout boots or wellies will be advisable! Shorter circuits are marked out too and there is an information board near the gate.
History
The 500 acres of Wilverley was first enclosed in 1775 and later re-opened, before being enclosed again in 1896. It has a real mix of ancient and ornamental woodland as well as areas of conifers in plantation. Mostly level, there is a big incline and rise up half way down , through a section of almost Swiss-like beauty as this part is all firs. Throughout the inclosure are wooden benches for those that need a bit of a rest, and there are yellow or green waymarkers for those that prefer to stick to a designated route.
Even on a wet wintry day the car park can seem busy, but you do not need to walk far before you lose sight of others and the further you go the more peaceful it becomes – if you can remain quiet then there is a good chance of seeing shy deer amongst the trees as well as many ponies on the sections nearest the plain.
Within the woodland areas there are many places for children to explore and have adventures – wooden structures buit by visiting scout groups are a great attraction – although my little granddaughter is convinced that these are “stickman houses”!
Forestry England
Any regular visitor to this area may have been somewhat perturbed at times by the apparent desecration due to some widespread forestry works and the transformation of large tracts into swathes of mud and the debris remaining after the felling. However, do not despair, as this is all part, not only of the managment of the woodland, but also the beginning of the ten year plan to return a more natural habitat to many parts of the National Park. The stated aim is to restore 290 hectares of conifers back to the open habitat of the forest heathland and a further 89 hectares back to ancient woodland species. Woodland management has been permitted in the inclosures since the 1700s and since the second World War extra verderer’s enclosures have been created. The target is to create a balance of 26% open land to 74% woodland. Habitat restoration will occur due to additional grazing , cutting and burning, but the Forestry England plan will minimise the impact on rare species and the enjoyment of the forest by its 34,000 daily visitors as much as possible. In Wilverley, for example, the deer keep mainly to the native woodland areas so the felling of conifers should be less intrusive for them.
Reading the report has allayed some of my fears and it is well worth perusing – www.forestryengland.uk/forest-planning/new-forest-inclosures-forest-plan-2019-2029. I wonder if more information and reassurance at the car park information sites would be useful and good promotion too. At a time of alarming climate change and growing concern for the natural environment, more information for all those enjoying the new Forest could not go amiss!
