Burley
Children will enjoy looking around the ‘witchy’ shops in Burley as well as an old-fashioned sweet shop.
The autumn colours in Burley New Inclosure
The Basics
Time: 1hr 40mins
Distance: 5.7km
Terrain: Most of the walk is one flat, well surfaced forest paths, but there are short sections near the start and finish of the walk that are not so well surfaced and can be wet and muddy in winter
Pushchair: The vast majority of the walk is ideal for pushchairs. The beginning and end of the walk would only be suitable after long spells of dry weather or with off-road pushchairs that you don’t mind getting muddy!
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: There are no refreshment stops on the walk, but you will drive through nearby Burley which has lots of tea-rooms, pubs etc
Toilets: Public toilets can be found in the main car park in Burley
Public Transport: The Burley Taxishare service 35 operates between Lyndhurst and Ringwood (Pre-book) or the Morebus service 125 between Ringwood and Christchurch runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Parking: For the walk, you will need to park at the free New Forest Park Authority car park at Lucy Hill (Postcode: BH24 4HP - W3W: loitering/slippery/quietest). It is quite small, but if it is full, Oakley car park is just across the road. If you want to visit Burley after your walk, there is ample pay and display parking in the village.
There are lots of shops in the village of Burley with a magical and mystical theme
Burley is a popular New Forest village, famous for its connections with witchcraft. There are gift shops to browse as well as a sweet shop and even horse and wagon rides. There are a multitude of walks in the area, but we particularly like this one, mainly in Burley New Inclosure, for its variety of woodland habitats. It is a joy in the autumn.
The Route
Leave the car park through the gate into the woodland. Walk along the path for around 50 metres until the path splits around a tree. Fork right and keep right as the left hand path turns sharply away to the left.
Stick with the same path in a straight direction, ignoring any paths to the left or right. This section can be quite wet underfoot in the winter as the surface is mainly turf. Continue until you reach a crosspath of cycle paths. You will know it it is the correct crosspath as it will be marked by the cycle marker post 116 and at the time of writing (October 2024) there are logstacks piled up. Turn right at this crosspath.
From this point onwards, the path is a cycle route and the surface considerably improves. Stick with the same path as it leads you through a variety of woodland habitats. At the gate, continue straight ahead.
As you finally reach the end of this leg, the path will veer around in a bend to your left. It will drop downhill slightly and soon meet a cross path (at cycle marker 118). Turn left here to begin the homeward leg.
Opposite an open area, the path will bend left. Keep with the path and head towards the gate straight ahead. Continue until you arrive back at the original crosspaths with log stacks. Turn right this time.
Follow the path until a junction (cycle marker 115). The right hand path has a green barrier across it, straight ahead is a pile of woodchip, and to the left is the path that you need to take. The path from here onwards is less well surfaced and will lead you down to the fork where you started the walk. Turn right to go back to the car park.
Did you know?
Burley was once home to the famous white witch, Sybil Shepherd. She practiced her craft and set up an antique shop. She was often seen wearing her long coat with her pet jackdaw on her shoulder. Sybil died in America in 1982.
If you liked this walk…
…try this one on Holmsley Ridge, which is also a few minutes from Burley
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