Dibden

Dave undertakes a 5 mile circular route from the Dibden Forestry Commission Car Park (Grid Ref SU406057) – located on the Eastern boundary of the New Forest.

I start my route by heading North through the Dibden Inclosure, along the top of a valley where I experience some stunning views. After crossing a stream at Dibden Bottom, I head West by The Noads Inclosure before turning South on to Beaulieu Heath – where I start to see a number of bronze age barrows.

After crossing the B3054, I start my exploration of the location of what was once the Hilltop Starfish Decoy site in World War Two. It was designed to simulate a city at night (in this case Southampton – a few miles to the East), using strategically placed lights & fires. The site was built in 1941 on this open heathland and was made up of earthworks (ditches & banks – mainly rectangular) that would have held old waste oil, coal & timber. The idea was to give the impression of burning areas, inducing the attacking pilots to drop their bombs on the inferno below rather than the genuine target over the city.

I then go on to the pretty Stonyford pond (one of the most remote ponds in the New Forest), before exploring an unusual bronze aged barrow that was used as a “butt” (holding targets) for a Victorian Rifle range!

I then head North, back to the car park, via an old Roman Road & the Fawley Inclosure.

Map courtesy of Google Maps.