Curbridge Nature Reserve
Children will enjoy finding the mystical fairy tree hidden in the woods on this walk as well as a little play area.
The Basics
Time: Around 1 hour if starting from the village hall and a little more if starting from the pub
Distance: 3 km if starting from the pub, 2 km if starting from Burridge Village Hall
Terrain: Uneven woodland paths with some boardwalks and steps. Very muddy in winter.
Pushchair: No
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: The Horse and Jockey Pub
Toilets: None
Parking: The Horse and Jockey car park if using the pub (Postcode: SO30 2HB - W3W - composts/internet/scarred) or Burridge Village Hall car park (Postcode: SO31 1BS - W3W: improves/screen/plan)
There is something magical in the woods of this National Trust Nature reserve, near Whitely. As you follow the creek that leads to the River Hamble, look out for the fairy tree and bring an offering to the little folk who reside there. It is possible to start this walk from The Horse and Jockey riverside pub or from Burridge Village Hal where there is a small play area.
The Route
From The Horse and Jockey pub:
The Horse and Jockey has a few tables beside the river. At the end of the car park you will find The National Trust notice boards and the start of the nature reserve. Follow the path beside the creek. The path becomes less even as you go but is interspersed with sections of boardwalk. The first fork you come to will give you an option to go right onto a little spur over looking the river. The walk, however, continues straight on.
After about 15 minutes of walking, you will come to the fairy tree adorned with fairy houses and trinkets. Children can bring along small items to hang from the tree as gifts for the fairies, or post the fairies little letters in the post-box.
Keep going after the tree over various boardwalks and some steps. At the next fork, go left over the wooden bridge. This whole section has some lovely spring flowers in April and May, including bluebells.
By sticking to the same path, you will eventually come to another National Trust notice board. Here the path ahead has been blocked in an attempt to protect the tree roots being damaged by footfall. A new path has been created instead to the left that goes through an area of newly planted trees. Head across the full length of this plantation.
At the end of the saplings, fork right* towards a phone mast and exit onto a path. Turn right and head straight down the hill with a meadow on your left. At the bottom of the hill, you will come to a ‘beach’ where the creek widens as it joins the River Hamble.
After the beach, take the small path running parallel to the water in the direction of the pub. This path runs closer to the water than the path you started on for around half of the route home, before it re-joins the original path and you can retrace your steps home.
*If you want to go to the small play area, you can fork left at the end of the plantation and cross the track. Just past the scout hut, you will see the play area by the car park.
From Burridge Village Hall:
Cross the playing field and head to the right of the football pitch. On the opposite side, you will spot the noticeboard at a gap in the hedge. Go through and follow the National Trust sign for The River Hamble. The sports pavilion will be on your left. Continue down the track in a straight line towards the river.
The river here is tidal and forms part of the estuary. After enjoying the view of the river, the walk continues along the small path directly parallel to the river. It will be on your left as you begin to head back up away from the water.
The path will lead you over intermittent boardwalks and then up to the right and then left over a footbridge. Continue over more boardwalks always with the river in view through the trees to your left. After going around a tree and down three steps and yet more boardwalk, you will come to some steps with a wooden handrail. Go up the steps and when you come to a T junction of paths, go left.
This path will take you to the fairy tree. We suggest bringing some trinkets, flags, bunting, bead strings etc that you can safely secure to the tree and continue the tradition. If you want to go to the pub, you will need to continue straight on here. If you want to return to your car, turn around and re-trace your steps.
At the fork, go left over the bridge and take the top path this time. This whole section has some lovely spring flowers in April and May, including bluebells.
By sticking to the same path, you will eventually come to a National Trust notice board. Here the path ahead has been blocked in an attempt to protect the tree roots being damaged by footfall. A new path has been created instead to the left that goes through an area of newly planted trees. Head across the full length of this plantation.
At the end of the saplings, fork left towards a gate. Exit onto the track and nip through the hedge on the other side. Go to the right of the scout hut and you will begin to see the car park coming into view.
Did you know?
There has been woodland along the River Hamble for hundreds of years which provides habitats for many different species of bird, including greater spotted woodpeckers. The woodland continues to grow to this day as The National Trust recently planted 6000 new trees at the site.