Our Rockford Common walk starts at the good-sized car park with many walking routes from this point. We picked a circular walk at Rockford Common with our children.
We wanted to visit somewhere different for a walk and I had seen a lot of lake areas around Fordingbridge which I loved the look of. However, after looking at Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, they seemed to be quite restrictive on dogs and we wanted somewhere where we could take our dog. Then I spotted Rockford Common for a circular walk. It’s just a car park area to leave the car and plenty of footpaths from here. The car park is next to a large sandy bank that the children would love to run up and down.
Once you’ve parked up you can see a ford in the road, this is where you want to walk towards for our walk that we took.
Following it along the road, past the large school on the left. You will then see a footpath sign off the road to the right-hand side.
Follow this path up the hill, it was pretty muddy here when we visited to bring suitable footwear.
Once you get to the top, turn left and just keep following the path along. You will get to another gate where you go through and across into the field. You can see a path that runs along and just keep following this along the fence line.
Then you get to a corner area where you take a left along a boardwalk, and once you come out of this turn right along the road. There is a large house at the end of this on the right-hand side.
Take the path to the right of this house, but up the hill.
When you get to the top you will see a large flat area looking over all the places you’ve just walked. Follow the path through the middle to the right. Keep going until you get to a wooded area.
We spotted a bunker in the woods and went to have a look around. You could go inside which went down under the ground and was pitch black! There is also a couple of very large holes with a drop into it, so be aware of that!
Once you’ve finished here, walk back out onto the path and follow it down the hill to the right. You will see a gate which you go through and take a right.
Then you’ll see the original path that you took off the road at the start, where you can turn left and walk back towards the Rockford Common car park.
This is a lovely area of the New Forest to walk around and with lots of walks in different ways too. We will be back to explore more routes and some of the lovely lakes around.
Helpful Tips For Rockford Common Walk
- No toilets
- Good sized car park
- Open heathland
- Plenty of routes
- Footpaths and woodlands
- Good for dog walking
12 Comments
Love how rugged it is – how cool they you discovered a bunker there!
Yes you wouldn’t have known it was there!
This looks like an interesting walk. Flat land, to woodland and old bunkers. The kids would love to explore!
Yes it kept them occupied!
You can’t beat a really good walk and I always like discovering somewhere new to go. Some of those views are beautiful.
Yes it was worth the walk up to get the views!
What a beautiful neck of the woods. Literally! I would love to hang our here.
There are so many places to find in the New Forest
Looks like a lovely place for an afternoon walk with the children and dog The bunker looks really interesting as well.
Only one of them was brave enough to go inside!
Looks like you guys had a lovely time – the last time I tried to take my kids out to plant some tree’s in the winter it wasn’t a massive success so I’m definitely jealous of your little ones enthusiasm!
Oh bless them! Mine do love to be outside so I am lucky