Thanks to TH&S, WITC has had another far flung adventure. Escaping Dartmoor for a day trip to the New Forest National Park in Hampshire.
A letterbox walk has been sited on an interesting little route through the trees from Bolderwood car park. Bolderwood appears to be a major draw to the National Park. Here are all the facilities you'd expect at a large car park, as well as a deer sanctuary and deer viewing platform.
Whilst today we saw no deer from the platform, we did spot them in the forest itself. Bolderwood could be a New Forest equivalent of Dartmoor's Fingle Bridge.
Letterboxing amongst the trees had the benefit of seclusion from prying eyes, and ample box hiding opportunities, such as the fallen tree (pictured) with pot hidden within. A variation on the 'plugged in
tree roots' approach.
On a dull weekday, we almost had the plantation to ourselves. We were passed by a horse and cart (pictured) and there were several dog-walkers and cyclists in the vicinity, but with the number of tracks and paths, it was a long way from crowded. The letterbox walk has had a large number of visitors in the past 6 months, some well known, and some lesser known, local, boxers.
To the regular hill walker, the New Forest has a very different feel to Dartmoor. No breathtaking views here, and the highest point of the park is only 125 metres above sea level. No sound of silence here either: It is nearly impossible to escape the noise of traffic on the major roads that criss-cross the park.
That said, it makes for a navigational challenge, and a very enjoyable day out in a new environment. WITC hopes to be back boxing in the New Forest soon.
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