Hordle april may 22

Hawkhill, Ranswood and Framewood
A Walk by Suzanne Ashworth
off B3055 SO42 7WB
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Cycling and walking tracks in abundance
These inclosures are located north of Beaulieu
Heath, which was used as an airfield during the
second World War. The largest with plenty of
parking spaces is the large Hawkhill Inclosure.
Hilly in parts, it has many good paths and is a
popular cycling route. Close to the car park it
seems a little stark and there are many signs of
the wartime storage facilities remains – bombs
were kept here in bunkers and then prepared
on platforms. The fuses, tail sections and
safety pins were added on platforms before
the bombs were wheeled to the airfield on
trolleys. There are brickworks, concrete
platforms and sections of concrete roads.
Walk on, however, and the delights of Hawkhill
appear – varied woodland and many tracks in
all directions. It is as good for dogs as for
cyclists with many opportunities for foraging
and hidden water too.
Beech Trees at Hawkhill
At the furthest point, there is an area of
beechwoods – stunning in the Spring with a
fresh canopy of leaves and well worth a return
visit in autumn for stunning colours.
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Not far from Hatchet Pond, one of the New
Forest’s most popular beauty spots is the less
well known Ranswood.
Approached along Furzey lane, which is almost
opposite the junction by Hatchet, there is tiny
car park with some extra parking along the
lane. Many of the stunning properties along
this lane are owned by New Forest
commoners and there are usually ponies
grazing in this area. Furzey Lodge is the place
where, I have been told by a local Forest
dweller, the cuckoo is first heard each April –
apparently on 12th!
Please mention Your Village when responding to advertisements
Hawkhill beech Avenue
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