Brockenhurst Short Village Walk

This 2.4-mile loop starts at Brockenhurst Railway Station car park and links two village circuits. First, follow Brookley Road past the shops to the Watersplash, then turn through Burley Road, across the lawn at Culverley Green and over a small bridge by the school to return to the station. The route then crosses the station area and the A337 toward St Nicholas's Church, North Lodge and Brockenhurst College, returning by the Rose and Crown. Allow about 1 to 1¼ hours.

At the Watersplash, a little bridge spans a shallow stream; free-roaming ponies and donkeys sometimes come to drink. St Nicholas's Church sits on a mound; the suggestion that it reaches back to Pagan times is uncertain. Expect village streets, open lawn, an alley and footpaths rather than a continuous woodland trail. The bridge, water and cottage make the Watersplash the most distinctive view to compose.

A printed leaflet says 1.5 miles, but its directions continue past the first station return to include the church and college circuit. The current mapped route line is 2.3 miles; adding the station approach back to the car park makes the complete loop about 2.4 miles. Follow this full itinerary and use the longer figure for planning. Take care at the A337 and Mill Lane and on village roads. Brookley Road shops and the Rose and Crown are on route. A separate, longer 5-mile woodland walk shares the village name but heads toward Ober Water.