Hut Wood circular

16 September 2008

Distance: 31/2 miles

Parking: Off-road raised area on B3043

Map: OL22 - New Forest

Explorer Map ref for car park: SU426183

I don't have any photos of this so I shall have to walk it again to get some. This is a very easy ramble between Chilworth, Chandlers Ford and North Baddesley - barely outside Southampton and about three miles from my front door.

It's a walk I would recommend for any pleasant day, but not mid-week for parking because of overspill from the nearby industrial park and some inconsiderate parking methods.

The weather was pleasant and the woodland glowed golden when the sun came out. I stepped into a deep puddle because I was watching the trees for the source of interesting rustlings.

The walk starts in Hut Wood going from East to West along a wide track, from which you have to find a barely defined footpath winding up over an earthwork up to a right of way (footpath). The route turns north on to a bridlepath right of way up to Castle Lane where you cross over to follow a foot-and-cycle path alongside a private woodland until you cross over again to walk south along Misslebrook Lane to Botley Road (which goes to Romsey).

Cross Botley Road to the safety of the pavement, then recross in front of the Chilworth Arms to a bridleway which doubles as a tarmac drive past houses until the tarmac bears off to the left and the bridlepath continues as an earthen path. Eventually the bridlepath intersects with the footpath, as before. Turn right along the footpath and look for the bit of woodland you memorised earlier to find that little indistinct pathway down into the woods again.

Follow the main track back to a T-junction shortly and turn down the left-hand track and just keep following this back to the metal gate and parking area.

I spotted a small black lizard scuttling off path into the undergrowth. It was about three or four inches long, including the tail.

And being me, I saw a deer. She was standing in a small glade between trees. She stared for a moment, then she bounced away and ran across the path about twenty feet from me.

And all this so close to home.