Wander into Bolderwood and back via the deer viewing platform. Starting from Bolderwood car park this meandering route leads you past the deer fields and some majestic trees, the oldest of which date back to 1860. Unfortunately a large number of trees were lost in the Great Storms of 1987 and 1991, but many new trees have been planted and more will be planted over the coming years.
Country:
United Kingdom
District:
Minstead 
Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode.
(S/E) To start the Bolderwood trails go through the gate, which has a low, soft latch, to the right of the information unit and follow the coloured waymarker posts which will guide you around the trails and back to the car park. This Forestry Commission trail is a waymarked walk. Just follow the waymarker posts to enjoy an easy to follow route for all. (S/E)
Start/finish: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode.
Ordnance Survey map: Explorer OL 22 New Forest
Getting there: No public transport links, parking at Bolderwood car park.
Note: This Forestry England trail is a waymarked walk. Just follow the waymarker posts to enjoy an easy to follow route for all.
Local facilities: Bolderwood car park has toilets, picnic tables and an information unit open during the school holidays from 11am – 4pm.
Accessibility: The path is a fairly smooth gravelled surface, with gentle slopes along the way. The trail contains gates, situated on both sides of the roads where walkers cross.
Note: Please be aware of the New Forest Code when walking in the National Park.]
Find more information and walks at New Forest National Park here.
Information panels welcome you to Bolderwood and provide useful and interesting details about the site and its walks before you venture into the woods. Head to the deer watching platform for spectacular views of the deer herd, which are fed by a keeper during the summer months.
Bolderwood: Deer Watch Trail 
National Park 0.95 km
+28 m
-28 m
0h 20
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
Spot deer on this very short circular walk. This short stroll from Bolderwood car park leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are regularly seen. From Easter to mid-September the herd is fed daily by one of the Forestry England keepers.
Knightwood Oak Stroll National Park 0.57 km
+5 m
-5 m
0h 10
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
Starting from Knightwood Oak car park, this walk visits the largest oak in the forest.
From Furzey Gardens Around Minstead 
Walker 6.90 km
+88 m
-88 m
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
A lovely circular walk from Furzey Gardens that takes you through Minstead village and into the New Forest. It is a fairly easy walk although it can get muddy in places. The walk starts at Furzey Gardens Car Park (Free) where there is a delightful cafe serving drinks and light refreshments. Furzey Gardens are a charity to help people with learning difficulties and are open to the public. A reasonable donation is requested on entry.
Blackwater : Tall Trees Trail National Park 2.28 km
+10 m
-11 m
0h 40
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
A woodland walk for all seasons. Stimulate your senses on this short trail around the Forestry Commission's Blackwater Arboretum, with its small but nationally important collection of trees from all over the world. Sensory information boards along the trail. This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the 1850s, some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain and includes views of two enormous redwoods.
Tall Trees Trail alternative Walker 
2.80 km
+13 m
-12 m
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
A flat circular walk with views of two enormous redwoods and using a part of the Tall Trees Trail.
Blackwater : Heartwood Trail National Park 1.06 km
+9 m
-9 m
0h 20
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
An easy waymarked walk through the Arboretum to experience the woodland and take in the variety of tree species. There are regular seats with backs to rest on along this route.
Blackwater : Tall Trees Arboretum Link National Park 1.77 km
+8 m
-8 m
0h 30
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
This is an easy walk through woodland, passing through the Arboretum which houses a beautiful collection of trees from many countries. The walk passes Scrag Hill Nursery and ends with a stroll down a short section of the Tall Trees Trail.
Brook to Minstead village National Park 11.61 km
+96 m
-91 m
3h 35
Easy
Departure from Bramshaw (Hampshire)
Visit the Rufus Stone to discover the mystery surrounding the death of King William II. The route then follows quiet country lanes to the unspoilt village of Minstead where the famous detective writer and spiritualist Sir Arthur Conon Doyle is buried in the grounds of All Saints Church. Return via winding lanes and fields to Canterton and Brook.
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