Wilverley

The three habitats sit side by side, which is what makes the spot useful. The lawn is the open, sociable part, good for picnics and games. Wilverley Inclosure next door is Forestry England mixed woodland with a broad track system. Beyond the lawn the ground opens into heathland, which supports important bird species.

Free-roaming ponies graze the plain and are a genuine part of the scene here, though as with all New Forest animals they move where they like, so sightings are never guaranteed. Bring binoculars if you want a go at the heathland birdlife; treat it as a bonus rather than a certainty.

• The Inclosure circuit is roughly 2.6 miles, sometimes given as about 5.3 km with around 108 m of climb and 1 to 1.5 hours at an easy grade. Treat those as approximate route figures.
• Footing is mainly wide gravel forest track, mostly level with a couple of steeper rises.
• The route passes through both mature and younger plantation woodland.
• The New Forest cycle-trail network is reachable from the site, so it doubles as a start point for a longer ride.

• Free parking, with accessible parking, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible seating reported at the car park.
• Toilets are listed at Wilverley Inclosure among the New Forest public toilet locations.
• BBQs and campfires are not permitted in Forestry England car parks or other managed forest areas, so plan a cold picnic or bring food already cooked.

The circuit includes a couple of steeper rises, and the denser woodland stretches can feel repetitive, with much the same view of trees for a while. If you want variety, keep the walk short and spend most of your time on and around the open lawn.