This walk shows you the path we took from Brock Hill to Blackwater and the Tall Trees Trail at Blackwater. This is a great walk to take with children in The New Forest
Autumnal weekends are one of my favourite times to get out with the children, it’s not too hot for them but it’s not too cold either. They love kicking the fallen leaves and having leaf fights! We’re very lucky and have the New Forest within 30 minutes drive of us and I think it has to be one of the most beautiful places in the Autumn to visit.
We tried a new walk in the New Forest a couple of weeks ago but it was very close to Blackwater Arboretum where we visited last year. I think it would be good fun to take out an Autumn free printable from The Heaton Family to keep the kids more entertained on their walk in the Autumn.
Brock Hill Walk In The New Forest
Keep an eye out for the car park called Brock Hill before you get to Blackwater Arboretum, it is right near the A31 if you’re coming in from this direction on the right hand side.
Starting here head over the road through the gate area and follow the paths straight until you get to a curve to the right. Take this route. It’s a very circular walk and keeps you walking along parallel with the road, but not close enough to it your worry about the dogs and kids.
With lots of wooded areas for them to run through,
Also, this time of year seems to be perfect for fungi spotting. The girls loved trying to find new ones for us to capture!
The colours of the ferns turning make everything look golden and warm
The paths are gravel and not really muddy yet, either, which makes it a clean walk (well, for the New Forest, anyway!).
You will reach a large crossroads area, and you will want to take the path above to the right and follow it around to get you back down to the road area.
Here you will find a car park, toilets, and picnic tables. Perfect for a stop-off and recharge, there was even an ice cream van too.
Over the other side of the car park and road, you will see the Tall Trees walk and Blackwater Arboretum. To get back to the car park, you will want to take the Tall Trees route.
I love how they leave the fallen trees on the floor, perfect for the wildlife but also great for the children to climb and explore.
On the Tall Trees route, you come across the giant Redwood tree. I can’t remember 100% but I think it said it was the tallest redwood in England (I maybe wrong though!) but it was very big and planted in 1853 so has had a lot of growing time!!
I love the signs for the children to learn about the forest and the history surrounding these areas, too.
Another tall tree along the route was the Giant Sequoia, with a lovely information sign for them to learn more.
The pictures don’t do the trees justice. They were massive!
Keep following these paths; you can see the road to the side, and it will take you all the way back up to the car park.
It’s a really beautiful route with lots to see, but great for kids too.
I think this route is good for children, with a little stop off halfway to it is a bonus! If you’re looking for a shorter route, then try Blackwater Arboretum.
Pictures Taken October 2018
Tips For Brock Hill Walk In The New Forest
- Brock Hill is situated on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
- Close here to walk is Blackwater Arboretum and Puttles Bridge
- Toilets at Blackwater
- Ice cream van
- Picnic tables at Blackwater
- Safe walking routes
- Good for dogs, be aware of ponies
- Interesting trees and history
- Parking but gets busy in peak days, but a couple of car parks along this way
16 Comments
I also love a walk in the woods in autumn. The colours are just magical, aren’t they? Brock Hill sounds like the perfect place to go at the mo. Will check how far it is for us. My kiddies would love the Tall Trees Trail!
The colours make it look so pretty don’t they, just before it looks bare and empty when the fall
Everything about this walk is so beautiful. I am loving those informative signs! they draw you right in. When we next come back this is a place for us to visit
Yes you would love this area of the New Forest, I think theres a stream just down the road too…thats my next visit!
This looks like the perfect place for a walk, your photos are just gorgeous!
Thank you very much, pretty lovely place to photograph!
Your pictures are so gorgeous. We went to Brock Hill for a walk back in February when we stayed in the New Forest. We managed to catch it in the snow and it was so beautiful! It’s such an amazing place for a family stroll. x
Oh gosh I can imagine just how beautiful in the snow it is, how lovely
I have never been to the New Forest before, it looks like a great place to visit. My daughter would love exploring here and crunching through the leaves. Lovely photos x
Oh its a beautiful area of the country, so well worth a visit if your near one day
What a gorgeous Autumn day out your pictures are just beautiful Steph!
Thank you very much Talya
Oh your pictures are just gorgeous. I’ve never been to that arboretum but would love to. When we lived in Wales we made an annual autumn visit to Westonbirt and we’re heading there this weekend while we’re back in the UK. But Brock Hill and the Blackwater Arboretum sound just as good.
Thank you, we’re off to Westonbirt when we visit that area next year, really looking forward to that
We love autumnal weekend walks in our house, nothing beats being with nature and this looks really lovely.
We’ve had some lovely autumnal days haven’t we