NEW FOREST WALK from BOLTON'S BENCH (LYNDHURST) TO MATLEY WOOD (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K)

In this episode of my series “Walks in the New Forest”, I take a 5 mile circular walk from Bolton's Bench (on the South East side of Lyndhurst) to Matley Wood and back. Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
I parked my car at the Forestry England car park by Bolton's Bench which is situated on the South Eastern edge of Lyndhurst - the capital of the New Forest.
Bolton's Bench is one of those iconic places for photos in the area & is very popular with tourists. It is a natural knoll & the bench at the top, that surrounds a clump of yew trees, commemorates the 3rd Duke of Bolton who was the Lord Warden of the New Forest in the 18th century.
I initially head South East towards the cemetery before climbing up on to a ridge and following the route of the Park Pale -a bank & ditch that once surrounded a medieval deer park. Along the way, I enjoy some great views across the heathland of White Moor.
After stopping to allow Logan to have some “zoomies” in a large sand pit, I continued Southwards towards Matley Ridge. I was thrilled to come across some Devil's Finger Fungi - a quire colourful and strange looking piece of vegetation!
My route takes me across the ancient track known as Salt Way and just before entering Matley Wood, I explore the area that was once used as a Trench Mortar school in the First World War.
Matley Wood is one of my favourite parts of the New Forest, full of magnificent oak & beech trees so I spent a long time walking in there. I was filming in late November and the Autumnal colours were at their best.
Leaving Matley Wood, I head to Matley Ridge & past the location of what was one a War Dog Training school in WW1. There has been a lot of tree felling in that area since my last visit 3 years ago - it looks like the land is being restored to heathland?
I pick up with the Park Pale again on the outskirts of Holmhill Passage before starting my return journey, Northwards, back to Lyndhurst.
My final destination was The Stag (Hotel, Restaurant & Bar) in Lyndhurst.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
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.

[@roseybut]

Thanks Dave. Your selfless devotion to the research of "light refreshments" available on the walk is greatly appreciated. Indeed it is a vital part of the walk for those running a little low on energy and in need of refuelling. Thanks again. 😉

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I believe that the ale can be offset as a "tax deductable" expense in the making of the film!

[@martincannon1078]

Dave, your weekly film gives my wife and I a moment of bliss and we forget the horrors and tribulations of this so called modern world for 20 minutes or so.
Thank you so much. God bless you and dear Logan.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for your kind comments Martin. All the best to you both for 2024.

[@keithjoseph5671]

The Matley wood is a beautiful place to explore with wonderful fields

[@DaveFord]

It is one of my favourite sections of woodland in the New Forest, Keith.

[@ralphfeay8857]

Thanks Dave and logan for the lovely walk. Can see why you like matly wood does look very intriguing! We enjoyed the zoomie!! Bless you Ralph and Sheila

[@DaveFord]

Thank you both. Yes, Logan loved that sand pit!

[@thebeatentrack156]

Thank you Dave & Logan, really look forward to these every week 😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. :)

[@cathpeterson1944]

I really enjoy the country walk and have a gander of nearby village, love the history and storytelling

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Cath. :)

[@delscorey8727]

Thoroughly enjoyed that ...thanks

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Del and indeed thanks for watching.

[@angelanewman5566]

Very familiar territory for me this week Dave. Thank you for bringing back lovely memories of toboganning with the kids at Boltons Bench and gathering chestnuts every Autumn half-term in Matley Wood.

[@DaveFord]

Glad it brought back some great memories for you Angela. Matley Wood is such a magical place.

[@markshrimpton3138]

Thank you for jogging some memories for me, as it’s around 50 years since I was last in Matley Wood. It certainly looks enchanting in the November sun. Lucky you, here in eastern Scotland it’s done nothing but chuck it down for ages.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. I was lucky to have a bit of sun that day, that really brought out the autumnal colours for sure. Matley Wood is one of my favourites areas of woodland in the New Forest.

[@hannureittu4310]

Nice autumn nature there! Thanks!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Hannu. The colours were amazing that day!

[@melissaphillips3088]

Lovely walk Dave with you and Logan. Such a pretty day. Hope you and your family have a wonderful and warm Christmas. It is getting cold here now. Take care Dave and give Logan a big warm hug from me. 🎄

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Melissa. Best wishes to you as well!

[@jeanblemings5352]

Showcasing the New Forest in all it's autumnal / winter glory. Just beautiful! And that zoomie sequence has to be one of the best ever! What is it with whippets and sand....

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. The colours were spectacular in Matley Wood that day.

[@craigmarsh3221]

Hi dave beautiful video lovely scenery and history of the places if we don't get a video next week happy Christmas to you and your family take care Craig

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Craig. Happy Christmas to you as well.

[@domanthony8906]

Great video Dave!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. :)

[@madgardener5820]

I'd just watched and listened (still at work) to the Yetminster edition abd was thinking what to put on next and low and behold one on the New Forest appears, thank you Dave
On the subject of early rifle ranges ther is one just outside Salisbury in a place called Laverstock located on a hill known as Cockey Down. If you scuff the surface soil a bit you can find musket balls and minié balls with and without rings cut into them (I only know because I looked them up I'm not an expert)

[@DaveFord]

Thank for the info about Cockey Down -I shall certainly check it out. Thanks for watching.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Nice walk Dave! When you told us it was November, I expected a fair bit of muddy paths, considering how much rain we've had this autumn, but I guess the sandy soils don't get too much mud on them. I reckon the boggy areas are quite treacherous though.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. Up on the higher ground (Park Pale / Matley Ridge) it wasn't too bad but the area around White Moor looked fairly boggy!

[@philipwilson938]

Thanks so much for sharing your walks around Dorset and surrounding areas. My wife and I recently moved country, and you videos help me keep connected to Dorset. I lived in yetminster for 10 years. Would you ever do a walk in holnest? Some lovely walks there. Kind regards and good luck for future videos.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Philip & indeed thanks for the recommendation about a walk at Holnest. I will have a look for sure.