SU 36539 SO42 7QN near the busy Hatchet Pond . The car park is found on the road from Lymington to Beaulieu. The no 6 bus passes as well as the seasonal New Forest tour
SU 36539 SO42 7QN
near the busy Hatchet Pond .
The car park is found on the road from Lymington to Beaulieu. The no 6 bus passes as well as the seasonal New Forest tour buses.
Hatchet Pond is one of the New Forest’s favourite beauty spots and,to me, only worth a visit out of season, very late or very early! Otherwise it resembles a packed beach and its beautiful sunsets are marred by the crowds. The ubiquitous ice-cream van pulls in the day trippers and their often inappropriate behaviour is sad to see – no respect for the wild nature and protected species dependent on the pond. The forest authorities are trying to discourage the same this year by removing the toilet block and moving the car park well away from the edge.
However, just along the road is a car park for Hatchet Moor, which can be a more peaceful alternative! On a sunny Sunday afternoon, there may be a row of camper vans and deck chairs lined up, but you can soon walk away from these! You can walk to Hatchet Moor from the shallower end of Hatchet Pond on the circular track or access from the car park. There are two smaller ponds here – one with lilies and the other with trees around it.
These are flooded marl pits and also attract wildlife, most notably some swans and many dragonflies.
From here you can walk out onto the heath and make circular treks around Beaulieu Heath , Hatchet Pond itself and across the Ranswood.
Hatchet Moor is renowned for bird sightings – local twitchers have recorded the following in recent years: osprey, peregrine falcons, housemartins, black kite, wheatear, redstart, hen harrier, merlin and raven.
A quiet winter evening just before dusk can be very atmospheric here, but don’t forget wellies as it can be very boggy.