| 1. This is a mixed route, mainly on country roads, but with elements on bridlepaths that will become an NCN route, that has a number of ups and downs.
From Lymington cross the river on the B3054 and turn right towards the ferry. After the ferry terminal and Elmer Court Country Club turn right onto Lisle Court Road and head up a short hill. Follow this road until the junction at South Baddeseley and turn right. The road goes past South Baddesley School and comes to a small green where it forks. Take the right fork onto Sowley Lane and follow this round past Sowley Pond. At the T junction turn right onto St Leonards Road and follow this for several miles past St Leonards Tithe barn. Take the next right at the crossroads, signposted to Bucklers Hard. At this historic village is a cafe, before you enter the paying part of the village. You could visit the village, but we went on having refueled on a cream tea.
Head towards Beaulieu but take the 2nd left, into Lodge Lane, towards East Boldre. Turn sharp right, when the opportunity presents itself again, into Cripple Gate Lane, signposted East Boldre. At the T junction turn right past the Turfcutters pub and a shop.Turn right onto the B3054, past Hatchett pond and then left, onto the B3055, towards Brockenhurst (The map shows you going straight across but only becuase I couldn't delete it). Follow the B3055, Brockenhurst road for 3 miles and then turn left into Mill Lane (still B3055). At the end turn left onto the A337 and immediately left again onto Church Lane and go up the hill. The NCN will eventually have a link here, but at present it is a rough bridleway on the left. We followed Church Lane around and turned left back onto the A337. We followed this for half a mile and then turned left, just past the Filly inn. Follow the bridlepath which has been updated in prep for NCN status. After it turns back into a road, Royden Lane, you come to a crossroads. Turn left onto Church Lane and go up a winding hill to the church and on to Pilley and Boldre. At the end turn left onto Pilley Street and then right into Burnt House Lane. At the T junction turn left onto Warbourne Lane. Follow this and Jordans Lane to the B3054 junction. At the junction turn right onto the busier B3054. After 300 yards, turn left into Snooks Lane. At the end turn right onto South Baddesley Road, which will take you back past Elmers Court and the ferry. Go back over the river on the B3054 and back to the start point. |