Breamore Railway Line

Breamore Railway Line is a flat footpath along the trackbed of the old Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway, 2 miles one way from Burgate Cross, just north of Fordingbridge, past the old Breamore station to South Charford. It runs along the western edge of the New Forest with the Avon water meadows off to the east. Do it if you like old railways or want an easy leg-stretch; skip it if you came for heath and ponies.

The line opened in 1866 and the last train ran in May 1964. The county council bought this stretch in 1971 for a Breamore bypass that was never built. The highlight is Breamore station, about halfway, where the restored station building and both platforms still stand and the path runs right between them. The building is private, so look from the path. North of the station the line crosses small brick bridges over streams feeding the Avon. Big power lines cross overhead, which takes some shine off the countryside.

It's point to point. Most people walk back the same way (4 miles, about two hours) or catch the X3 bus, which stops at both ends. Park on Fryern Court Road at Burgate Cross; there's nowhere to park at South Charford. The Burgate entrance is across the busy A338, so take care crossing. There's nothing on the path itself, but the Bat and Ball pub in Breamore is close to the old station.