SO41 8HE Buses stop along Ramley Road and at Pennington Square A varied and interesting walk to explore the outer edges of Lymington and Pennington, which can be started from Yaldhurst Lane, Pennington or from
SO41 8HE Buses stop along Ramley Road and at Pennington Square
A varied and interesting walk to explore the outer edges of Lymington and Pennington, which can be started from Yaldhurst Lane, Pennington or from the edge of the recreation field at the start of the lane.
The lane is shady and tranquil and a sudden change in atmosphere from the roads and business around Pennington. There are some lovely properties, and the lane ends at Yaldhurst farmhouse where a gate leads to the footpaths. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the only part of Yaldhurst is now this lane and the farmhouse.
At the second gate nest to the little copse and fields often occupied by New Forest or Shetland ponies, you can either turn left and walk along a puddly track back onto Ramley Road, Pennington, next to St Joseph’s catholic school or carry on along the field boundaries. The track to the road is brilliant for toddler puddle jumping after heavy rain!
Two paths edge the field – the left one will join up with the Sway Road and the other takes you around the fields towards Buckland and the Alexander Meadows are of Lymington. The Yaldhurst stream runs through the copse and across the farmland and on into the woods at the back of Alexander Meadows estate – traditionally this marked the boundary between Lymington and Pennington. There have been some issues with the muddiness of the path in winter and best keep your dog on a lead along the fields. In Spring the field is awash with wildflowers and the views are good too.
Once over the wooden bridge (known in our family as the “troll “bridge and much loved by our granddaughter) the track is narrow and can get muddy but is great for blackberry picking and butterflies. New Forest ponies are usually in the fields on each side here and you will come to a junction – straight on will take you past some very new houses and out onto the road to cross over into Buckland Rings. The other direction continues to skirt the fields and alongside the allotments – keep right here to enjoy the beautiful woods and meadows, which will eventually lead back onto the Alexander Road.
When Pennyfarthing Homes gained permission to build this small mixed estate a proviso was to preserve and protect the woodland under the SANG scheme ( Sustainable Alternative Natural Green Space) and locals are able to enjoy this stunning wild space.