The NEW FOREST and DORSET
31st March 1973 to 7th April 1973
A journey by cycle, camping en route, travelling 422 miles on a circular route from Waltham Abbey to the New Forest and Corfe Castle returning through Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Saturday 31st March
The first part of the journey was not of great interest, taking us through Enfield, Barnet, Harrow and Ruislip where we turned off for Fulmer and Burnham Beeches to much better scenery. We bought some provisions at Burnham and found a small clearing in the woodlands to enjoy some tea and refreshments. The time was about midday. The ride through Burnham Beeches was much more interesting, passing on the way a splendidly situated camp site, but once the minor roads were left behind we had to find ways to keep off the A4 as we rode through Maidenhead, Taplow and Reading. At Reading we turned off the A4 by Theale along a fine road through grassy woodlands to Upper Bucklebury and Thatcham finally rejoining the A4 to Newbury. We arrived at approximately 5.30pm and took a little while to find the camp site which was the garden of the lock-keepers cottage. A canal ran along the front and a river behind and it was a strange but very pleasant site. The one disadvantage was the presence of a goat in the garden which attempted to eat everything, including the tent. The weather had been fine and we had cycled a total of 74 miles.
Day - 74 miles Trip - 74 miles
Sunday 1st April
A day when our priority was to reach the New Forest by the most direct route whilst avoiding the main roads where possible. We rode through the residential parts of Newbury on to the A343 which was quite a pleasant road despite the traffic. The journey already was tiring because of strong winds and we were glad to turn off the main road just before Ashmansworth to take to the minor roads through to Hurstbourne Priors and the B road to Wherwell where we stopped for refreshments at a bus shelter. We shortly joined the main road to Stockbridge and then turned off for a delightful ride on minor roads to Mottisfont where we made tea just past Mottisfont Abbey beside a field with an inquisitive horse. We joined the New Forest at Cadnam and came straight through to Lyndhurst and on to the camp at Hollands Wood. This was a superb site with the pitches set amongst the trees and as this was the opening day the site was practically deserted. Despite the wind and enjoyable day and 51 miles covered.
Day - 51 miles Trip 125 miles
Monday 2nd April
Left the tent and equipment at Hollands Wood to cycle through the forest to Ringwood. Cycled along the Ornamental Drive which has some really impressive trees and then on to the main road into Ringwood. The wind was so strong across the open heathland that many times we found it impossible to move forward or even to stand still. The journey to Ringwood against the wind took two and a half hours but the return journey with no wind took only an hour. In the afternoon we walked out behind the site into the forest following the forest tracks and we climbed an observation tower. The day was dry despite the fact that it had rained all night.
Day - 29 miles Trip 154 miles
Tuesday 3rd April
We awoke this morning very surprised to find a heavy frost outside with raindrops frozen to the flysheet and the inside dripping with condensation. Surprised because we had been very hot in the new sleeping bags. Proof that they had been worth the money. The morning was very fresh and we took our time in packing up. At one time when we had both left the tent we returned to find a squirrel perched on the front carrier of Denise's bike quietly tucking into some wholemeal bread. There were forest ponies grazing in the background which made a nice scene. Soon after we were packed and on our way and we left the New Forest at Sway and made for Sopley so that we could avoid the built up area around Bournemouth. We passed by Hurn airport where the traffic is held up to allow aircraft to fly low over the road and then on to Wimborne Minster where we stopped for tea in a cafe. From Wimborne via Lytchett Minster to Wareham and then along the switchback main road to Corfe Castle where we found a cafe directly below the castle. After a short stop we pulled up the steep hill through the village and headed for Langton Matravers where we intended to camp.The view back to the village was splendid with the castle towering above the cottages all of which, including newly built houses, are made from local stone. It was good to see new houses built with some thought of integration with the surrounding countryside. The ride to Langton Matravers was quite straightforward except for the last half mile which was a steep pull onto a high ridges running along the coast. The camp site, Tom's Field, was not officially open but we were allowed to stay and we pitched the tent and rode into Swanage for some provisions and a look at the sea before returning to camp. Another fairly windy day with 53 miles cycled.
Day 53 miles Trip 207 miles
Wednesday 4th April
A wet and windy day. We came along the B road through Kingston, where there is a tremendous twisting hill to descend, and into Corfe Castle to stop at the cafe again for morning tea. Leaving Corfe Castle by the road to Church Knowle we found the going very tough especially at Steeple where there was a steep climb before an exciting descent through the woods. We followed the road through to Wareham and then onto Puddletown through an empty landscape taken over by the Army for training. From Puddletown we went into Dorchester where, very tired and wet, we had to decide whether to continue to Devon or turn back inland. We decided on the latter and headed north east along the B road passing through Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide and then along the minor roads to Milton Abbas. This was a very strange place descending through woods to the river and coming to the village which consisted of one road with houses on each side and a pub and church. All in a line along the one road and ending as suddenly as it had begun. A few miles past Milton Abbas we arrived at Winterborne Whitechurch where we camped. Not a very good site - full of caravans. We had cycled 44 miles but felt very tired.
Day 44 miles Trip 251 miles
Thursday 5th April
Another wet and windy day and we hurried to Blandford Forum where we had our first puncture. Having fixed this we turned off towards Shaftesbury along a minor road which climbed steadily for over eight miles. The one advantage was that as we climbed higher there were some superb views over Dorset and into Wiltshire. The climb finally finished and we zig-zagged down the road into Shaftesbury. The weather had now brightened up and we stayed on the main road to Warminster and onto Westbury turning off to see the White Horse on the hillside far above the road. We followed this road through several interesting villages to finally arrive at Urchfont to camp. The fact that the sun had begun to shine in the afternoon saved what could have bee a very tiring day. A total of 51 miles.
Day 51 miles Trip 302 miles
Friday 6th April
A showery day, still quite windy but we made fast time. Some very good scenery early on and another White Horse after we had passed through Woodborough which had a sign proclaiming it the Best Kept Village in Wiltshire. We went on to Pewsey where we had tea in a cafe we had visited previously and then followed a route we had taken before to Hungerford. This was along a very good B road to Burbage and then turning off to follow the road beside the Kennet and Avon canal to Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn to join the A4 into Hungerford. We then headed for Great Shefford and turned off through Farnborough to West Ilsley up a long climb then dipping down before climbing again. From here we made our way to Didcot and Wallingford where we intended to camp. The site didn't seem to be open so we continued on to Henly-on-Thames which was a long journey but was superb for the last mile which was entirely downhill. The site was past Henley-on-Thames beside the Thames and was a large, pleasant, site. Today had been a fairly longish day - 63 miles in all.
Day 63 miles Trip 365 miles
Saturday 7th April
The final day - journeying home via Maidenhead, Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St. Peter, Rickmansworth, Walford, Elstree and Enfield. Some interesting scenery early on in the day but more a day for finishing off the tour and getting home. 57 miles today and a total of 422 miles for the whole journey.