Ferndown Forest

Delve deep into the thick woodland of Ferndown Forest. Trace the old driveway down to the ghost of a country manor replaced by newer builds of the modern age. The old country estate, once spanning the surroundings, leaves little in its wake but an old cottage lodge now swallowed by growing urbanisation. Wander the routes carved into the forest by the Forestry Commission to cross the little Uddens Water. Follow the old Castleman Railway, which fades into the trees, and head up onto the plantation of White Sheet. Explore the heathland and vast landscape of Holt Heath with its wide open skies filled with planes from Bournemouth airport, the ground carpeted in heather while thicker gorse hides its secrets from the past.

Distance: 4.5 miles/7km

Duration: 2-3 hours

Ability: Easy.

Max Height: 190ft.

Min Height: 55ft.

Total climb: 165ft.

Terrain: Tracks, paths and roads.

Map: OS Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase and OS Explorer OL22 The New Forest

Start Point: White Sheet Car Park. (Postcode: BH21 7DB, Grid Reference: SU048036, What Three Words: skis.yourself.restores).

How to Get There: From Ferndown, get onto the A31 to the north and turn left to travel west. Take the small road on the right, Udden’s Drive, and enter the woods. After about half a mile, turn left onto Pilford Lane. Follow the road out of the trees and to a crossroads at Colehill. Turn right and stay on the same road for a mile. At the upcoming sharp bend, continue straight ahead, back into the trees, to then find the car park on the right hand side.

Dogs: In accordance with the Countryside Code and any notices on route.

Refreshments: None on route nut nearby are The Forest Inn in Ferndown and The Old Inn in Holt.

Neighbouring Walks: Horton, Lady Wimborne’s Bridge, Corfe Mullen, Pamphill, Wimborne and Chalbury.