NEW FOREST WALK at LYNDHURST (BOLTON'S BENCH) (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK)

This is another video in my series “New Forest Walks” with my Whippet, Logan. In this episode, I explore the area around the South & South East of the village of Lyndhurst. Whilst the sun was out on a crisp & chilly Winter's day, there was a fairly strong wind which did come across on the audio on occasions - I hope that it does not spoil your enjoyment of the video.
I start off from the iconic Bolton's Bench (with tales of a Dragon!) and head South to an old cricket pitch where I discover an impressive stone water trough & Logan enjoys a sand pit! The route takes us up over a high ridge where there are some magnificent views of the surrounding area before heading in to the Pondhead Inclosure - a wonderful wooded area with super examples of coppicing. After visiting a sweet Chapel at the Cemetery, we end up at a lovely tea room in Lyndhurst High street.
The route of the walk (3.5 miles) comes from a book - “Pocket Pub Walks The New Forest” by Anne-Marie Edwards - to whom I m grateful. The part of the walk route between the B3056, via Pondhead Farm & Beechen Lane was very muddy (I was walking in the middle of a wet Winter!) so I decided to miss that part of the walk out.
NB: Near the start of the video, I state that Bolton's Bench was named after the Duke of Bolton who was Lord Warden of the New Forest in the 17th century (he was the 1st Duke of Bolton). However I believe that in fact it was named after the 3rd Duke of Bolton (who was also Lord Warden of the New forest) in the 18th century.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to : / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
Facebook: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7 Black Action Camera (and a Gimbal) together with a Canon SX 400IS.

[@OurDaysOut]

Nicely done Dave👍

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Looking forward to the Spring now!

[@d4cars142]

Well done Dave awesome

[@DaveFord]

Thank you

[@annosborne7365]

A nice video to watch, lovely to see the sun.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Ann. Looking forward to some "less damp" weather going forward !

[@chancer2716]

Hi Dave and Logan, I got here after hearing you on Radio Solent and am glad I did. Lovely relaxing videos full of information and entertaining, thankyou both.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for your kind comments.:)

[@richardpetts8266]

Thank you Dave, super video and looking forward to visiting this area in May. Happy Easter !!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Richard. I hope that you have good weather for your visit. Thanks for watching.

[@Tracks777]

lovely stuff

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

I know Boulters Bench, but I’ve never done the lovely walk which you did. Never heard the story of the dragon before either. That little chapel was fascinating. Thanks for sharing.. ps. It’s always useful to have a strong dog to pull you up the slopes.

[@DaveFord]

Logan does have his uses!

[@Stickman2112]

Well done Dave and Logan for another fine video myself and my wife, daughter and Ginge the dog have done some of the the walk here but we’ll have to go back to find the dragon 🐉

[@DaveFord]

Thanks. You need to keep an eye out for the Dragon. It is on your left hand side (if you are going in to the Pondhead Inclosure from the Eastern side).

[@ramibu239]

What a fun walk Dave! From Dragon tales & Knights, to a wonderfully huge Manor House (even if they did ruin it by turning it into apartments😕), to that sweet little Chapel in the wooda at the end! Lucky horses that get to drink out of that trough!😁🐴 So wish I could have joined you at Peggie Mays - I do love a good tea room!!!😍🍵
Btw....I thought Logan turned into a Kangaroo for a minute there!!!😯😂

[@DaveFord]

Thanks. Yes..it was a very interesting walk although Logan wasn't too sure about the Dragon!

[@philipnightingale660]

Lovely walk Dave. You answered a question I have been asking for a while now. I have always wondered what the big white house was every time I walk along that ridge it has puzzled me.
Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

I should imagine that they get some great views looking South from up there!

[@mikewalker8655]

Dave, where is the pub on this pub walk?!! I've just bought the book on eBay to find out!

[@DaveFord]

The Mailman's Arms in the High Street ... to the North West of Bolton's Bench car park (shows on the map at 1 min 10 secs into the video). There is also the Fox 7 hounds as well as The stag to consider - both in the High street. Lots of tea shops to chose from as well. This is one of my older videos when I tended not to actually film visiting the pubs. These days I often finish at the pub - purely for research purposes for the video of course!