Linford

Dave takes a 5 mile circular route to the North of Linford – which is located about 2.5 miles North East of Ringwood in Hampshire.

Parking my car at the Forestry Commission car park at Linford Bottom, I initially take a minor detour South to look at a lovely Keeper’s Cottage. I had come across a very old black and white photograph a few months previously that showed troops preparing their Howitzer guns for practice in front of the cottage back in the Winter of 1940/41 and I thought that it would be fun trying to “recreate” the photo. (In the video I state that the “gravel track” that shows in the old photo is no longer there but in fact it is still there to the South, leading to another house. It was not easy getting the angle spot on!)

I then head North West, keeping the Great Linford Inclosure on my right before changing direction to the North East across some stunning heathland where I get to enjoy some stunning purple heather in the glorious sunshine. There were some great views across Rockford Common & Red Shoot Plain.

The landscape changed as I headed deep in to the Appleslade Inclosure (a wood full of ancient oak trees) and then on to the Red Shoot Inn.

I then head East in to the Roe Inclosure and managed to find the iron age hillfort known as Castle Piece before continuing the homeward journey South.

I finish off with a picnic sitting by the enchanting Linford Brook.

Map courtesy of Google Maps.