NEW FOREST WALK at WHITTEN POND (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K)

In this episode of my series “ New Forest Walks” , I take a walk to the South of the village of Burley - starting at Whitten Pond. Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
After parking my car at the Forestry Commission (free) car park at Burbush, I start my 6 mile “circular -ish” route by heading for the magical Whitten Pond - one of the largest natural pons in the New Forest.
I then head West along a track to try and find the remains of an old Radar Transmitter Building (it was part of the Radar station complex at Sopley 3.5 miles away to the South West), that was demolished in 1977 …... I found a few remains!
My route took me further West to the edge of the new Forest boundary but I was unable to find the Lugden Bronze age barrow as work was being done in the area by Forestry Commission staff.
After initially heading South, I turn Eastwards towards a wooded area known as “Devil's Den”. Along the way I spotted a cute little Field Mouse!
At the South Western edge of the Holmsley Inclosure, I head North towards the site of what was once Holmsley Lodge (the building has been demolished now).
I then take a quick detour along Holmsley ridge to explore the old gravel pits that hare now very pretty ponds.
My homeward journey takes me along the old disused railway track - that used to run from Brockenhurst to Ringwood - back to my car.
I finish my walk by driving a short distance to the Old Holmsley station Tea Rooms for some light refreshments.
** I am still not sure what the foundations were in the clearing in Devil's Den (East of Cross Ways). The "New Forest Remembers Untold Stories of WW2" website makes mention of a "possible WW2 military site" at the location (420155 Easting / 100112 Northing). The old RAF Holmsley South airfield was located not too far away to the South East so it may have had something to with that?
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
Music by Original Spruce (Copyright owner). Permission for me to use this track has been given to me by the copyright owner. 2022. Tracks (in order of appearance in the video): 1) Eko Eko, 2) Nicely Stone, 3) Martin Down, 4) Pembrokeshire ,5) Open The G, 6) Nicely Stone ,7) Marching The Moors & 8) No Time For Lillies. To download these tracks & other music by Original Spruce go to: spruce1.bandca...
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@laviniagray5637]

Logan I love to see you walking in your coat. Beautiful pond the whole walk was beautiful. Glad that you stayed dry. Loved the history. thank you both.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Lavinia. One of our favourite ponds in the New Forest!

[@jeanblemings5352]

Very pretty pond at the start and Logan was looking very smart in his coat!

[@DaveFord]

I think that it is my favourite pond in the New Forest!

[@highlandexplorer990]

🚶‍♂Another great walk with you and Logan in the New Forest, Dave! 🦮🐎🐿 Excited to see where you'll be exploring next 🤗

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. :)

[@Originalspruce]

Another really enjoyable walk Dave. 😀

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. :)

[@melissaphillips3088]

Maybe cold but it looks beautiful there Dave.Logan looks wonderful in his attire. Have a lovely weekend and thanks for another great walk….stay warm and take care 👏🏻💕

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Melissa. Looking forward to the warmer months when Logan doesn't need to have his coat on!

[@geoffw8565]

Thanks Dave, enjoyable as ever !

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Geoff.

[@Caj55]

Another great video. Have been at Whitten pond when dozens of cows and calves as well as ponies were there. They can be very intimidating.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Colin. Whitten Pond can certainly be popular with livestock at times.

[@keithjoseph5671]

The countryside is very beautiful

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Keith. :)

[@hannureittu4310]

Very beautiful!

[@DaveFord]

Yes, it is a lovely part of the New Forest. Thanks for watching.

[@rickdeckard4213]

Another great video of you and Logan in the New Forest Dave, I find them so relaxing and therapeutic. Keep them coming.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Rick. Will do! Thanks for watching.

[@martincannon1078]

Another moment of joy with you and Logan. I don't know the New Forest travelled through Hampshire many years ago as a boy. But living in France for 50 years I haven't been to Blighty for over 20 years. Luckily we've got you to show us around that neck of the woods. Thank you Dave and Logan.🦮🐿🐎

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Martin. Glad that you are enjoying the series. :)

[@ralphfeay8857]

That’s a realy nice walk sheila and I have gone along the old railway track holmsley tea rooms is a nice place to stop

[@DaveFord]

I love going to those tea rooms - the staff are always so friendly there.

[@peterfrost5475]

Nice walk Dave, it is strange about those missing boundary stones between Lugden Barrow and Great Kingston Common. We walked that boundary once and thought that the stones might have just sunk into the bog. It was good to follow your route on a OS map, very enjoyable, thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. I didn't want to spend too much time searching for them as the lads from Forestry England were busy working in the area. I will have to go back there again - it is fun to "bag" them (although "bagging" trig points is a little easier!)

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

I liked those ponds on your route. They did look good in the sunshine. Sad to see lovely old buildings demolished in order to build something only the rich can afford. Too much that goes on and not just in the Forest. Holmsley Station thankfully hasn't been attacked yet. The first time I ever called in there, it was the centenary (I think) of the line and the whole place was looking like it was with pictures of the railway all around the walls.

[@DaveFord]

There is still lots of interesting memorabilia about the old railway line inside the tea room building. Great place to visit - I can recommend the little meringue pies!

[@eldred1809]

Seems to me Logan drew the short straw at the Tea Rooms Dave, I'm sure that meringue would've quickly disappeared given half a chance. The thought has occurred to me before when you're on your New Forest walks, but you need to get him some bootees for those gravel tracks. Or perhaps I'm just imagining what my own feet would feel like! Keep 'em coming, I always await Fridays with anticipation: where will it be this week?

[@DaveFord]

I decided not to show me actually eating the meringue .... very messy! It is surprising how "tough" Logan's pads are although I do have to take care with him when we are on very fine shingle and indeed snow - where it can sometimes "ball up" in between the pads.

[@normanswift5048]

Glad the weather held for you Dave. That's a regular circuit for me as I live in Bransgore and I never tire of it. I wonder if the foundations you saw are anything to do with the local air field remains?

[@DaveFord]

It is a lovely area around there for sure Norman. Yes, I think you could be spot on with that explanation for the foundations at Devil's Den. The old RAF Holmsley South airfield wasn't too far away to the South East.