Riding in the New Forest - advice please

NiceChristmasBaubles

NiceChristmasBaubles

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Hello,
I would like to box down to the New Forest to ride, but don't really know it at all. We are near Newbury, so would head South on the A34 and pick up the M3 then M27. But where's the best place to park the horsebox and ride without road work?
Any guidance you can give would be much appreciated.
Thanks. :)
 
Well, I am between Ringwood and Fordingbridge, and there are lots of little car parks dotted around where you can safely park up and ride from, with no road work needed, and with good pubs where you can tie up and have a coke etc. Abbotswell has a good big car park, and the hacking is great from there. Stoney Cross and around there is also good, but gets busy in the holidays/summer.

Hope you have a great time, and just remember to stick to the pony tracks so you dont end up stuck in a bog! :D
 
I've hacked on the Forest once and did indeed get stuck in a bog - it was horseshoe shaped and we forgot which way we came into the area on firm ground... I felt a bit silly and we stuck to the tracks after that!

Sorry, not much help - but, have fun!
 
For first timers I recommend going down to junction 1 of the M27 and taking the forest road to Fordingbridge B3079/B3078. As you get nearer to Fordingbridge there are loads of car parks and it's easy to find a good route from here, check it out on google maps first!

Also if it's you first time, I'd get here soon to avoid the tourists and the crabs flies which horses hate if they are not used to them!
 
Janesmoor Pond has a big car park. You then have the choice of the enclosures or the open forest. Its not too boggy round there and the crab flies aren't so bad. You can ride to the Royal Oak pub in Fritham or High Corner Inn if you fancy a really long ride. Canada Common is also good, just stick to the tracks as the middle is a bit boggy (just go where you can see poo as it means the forest ponies have been there and the ground is ok!) Have fun!
 
Heading off at J1 of the M27 and going off towards Fordingbridge on B3078 sounds a very good plan. Quite a few good sized car parks to choose from along there. Also, for a bit of R&R afterwards, there is the Fighting Cocks pub on that road (at Godshill) which does nice food and you can sit outside and keep an eye on your box and horses. Or, you could ride over the the Royal Oak at Fritham which is a tiny tiny little pub that is very popular and have a drink and a ploughmans whilst you park your horses in the pound they have there. :) Be very "foresty" and tie a rope halter round their necks "just in case" or have the head collar and lead rope with you so you at least have the option of tying them up somewhere...

I don't want to put a total downer of things, but please make sure you lock up your box when you leave it to go riding, there are some unpleasant people about down here and every year cars/lorries are broken into in forest car parks.

Hope you enjoy it!
 
Sorry I know this is an old thread. Planning to go for a new forest ride and park up if my memory is correct somewhere near fordingbridge right on the forest. Anyone know if there’s a car Park I can park a horse van as of now in these times? Thanks! Looking to go later today or tomorrow! X
 
Godshill Cricket pitch you'll be able to park in easily. The crab flies are evil at the moment so be warned! From there you can ride down the hill bear left to Pitts Wood. Bear right and head towards Ogdens. Happy riding.
 
I had a guide, a man called Mike, (cannot remember the name of the company..) he met us at Janes Pond car park, it was inexpensive and the information, andecotes and local knowledge (plants which grow on the bog, historical trees, where films were filmed, safe places to have a blast, good fallen trees to jump etc.) were priceless- I personally wouldn't have gone solo, I'd have spent most of the time trying to work out where I was! Would thoroughly recommend Mike, will definitely go back!
 
I would aim to park by Wilverlye Enclosure, the tracks in the enclosure are really nice, good going, some gravel some grass. There is a lovely green to gallop across right beside the enclosure and then tracks that take you towards either Brockenhurst or Burley.
 
Thanks all. If anyone knows who mike the guide is that rextherobber is describing let me know. Would be fab to have something like that
 
Personally I’d always scout out the route I had planned on foot, to make sure I knew where I was going, and ensure route all ok.

I once was planning on doing a hack from home, but further out than I normally go, a lot of it was on the road. I decided to drive down the road to come across an almighty set of road works. Rather pleased I did and went a totally different direction
 
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