We are the Winchester Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
This is a fairly easy circular walk of about 8.7 miles, through mainly forest in the morning and some heathland in the afternoon. We begin and end at Puttles Bridge car park which is the start of some beautiful forest trails along the river bank. In the morning, we will pass behind the Rhinefield Hotel and then through the arboretum. We will then stop for coffee on the Ornamental Drive where there are picnic tables and toilets. After about 5 miles, lunch is at the Oak Inn at Bank or a picnic nearby. The afternoon takes us through Gritnam Wood and then some heathland before joining up with the Puttles Bridge Trail.
Please note the slightly earlier start time. This is due to the pub having a prior booking so we need to be at the pub around midday. The menu on the website is out of date so the pub is emailing me the up to date menu on Friday and I will then make that available to you. Please let me have menu choices by midday on Wednesday 7 th.
On the pre walk, there was no mud and the paths good!
If you are travelling to the car park from the A35, along the Ornamental Drive, carry on pass the main car park, following the road for over half a mile before Puttles Bridge Car Park on the left hand side.
From the A35, follow the Ornamental Drive on Rhinefield Road and Puttles Bridge car park is on the left after about a mile or so. If coming from Brockenhurst, on the A337, take a right hand turn onto Brookley Road, and right again onto Rhinefield Road. The car park will then be on your right hand side, after about a mile.
