Circle the ancient burial landscape of Parley Common. Explore its liminal edges, steeped in heathland folklore, where echoes of execution sites, smugglers, and river‑magic still haunt the air. From affluent estates to the roar of the airport boundary, discover a mythic landscape, filled with prehistoric barrows, and edged with an Iron Age hillfort.
Distance: 4miles/6.5km
Time: 1-2 hours
Ability: Easy.
Max height: 101ft
Min height: 47ft
Total climb: 112ft
Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields, and roads.
Start Point: Ralph’s Barrow, Lone Pine Drive. (Postcode: BH22 8LS, Grid Reference: SZ086987, What Three Words: once.windy.stick).
Map: OS Explorer OL22 New Forest
How to get there: From Wimborne follow Leigh Road out of the town. At the roundabout, take the fourth exit onto Ham Lane (B3073). Cross straight over the mini roundabout and at the next turn left then right. After about half a mile, turn left onto Dudsbury road and at the end, turn right onto New Road. Take the third left onto Golf Links Road then fork right onto Lone Pines Avenue to find a sensible place to park before the wooded Kings Barrow.
Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code.
Refreshments: Skim The Curlew on route and nearby is The Owls Nest.
Neighbouring Walks: Ferndown, Hurn, Throop, Canford Heath, Lady Wimborne Bridge, Iford and Dudsbury.
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