Stephen's castle and Ringwood forest, eastern side.

A beautiful walk at Stephen's castle and Ringwood forest and a lovely morning. We started by parking in the village centre and walking through the memorial ground and up the side of Stephen's castle on the bridleway. Then turning right behind the top of the heathland. Keeping on the wide path through the forest, passed the telegraph station and turning right at the old house. After reaching a wide junction take the upper right track that ascends the hill once again. This undulating track finally passes the Stephen's stone and then reaches another junction. Where the track turns either up or down hill take the small path through the pines opposite. This one reaches a track leading down to St Stephen's rd. If you want to go up over the top of Stephen's castle for the beautiful views above Verwood turn right and left in about 20m. Or turn down to another small path that crosses the heathland below the ponds. This track turns left and then right among beautiful gorse bushes, to return to a small path lead left to Hillside school or right back to the park.

Stephen's castle, Verwood.

Beautiful walk in the sunshine this afternoon. Starting from the Memorial ground and past the Hideaway. Take the first right turn onto the heathland and walk up to the pond. After the pond turn left and left again onto the track going uphill. At the top take the little left turn up a couple of steps and alongside the fence. The views are beautiful up here from the top of Stephen's castle. We could see all the way down to Bournemouth, the Purbecks and the Needles on the Isle of Wight. Then take the left turn down the wooden steps back to the bridleway and down to the park once again. It's always nice to finish this walk on a cold day with a coffee in Costa or one of the other cafes in Verwood.

Stephen's castle.

Stephen castle behind the memorial ground for a walk with Phoebe. A great place for a walk either with a dog or children. Good paths and lots of interest. Two good ponds and the old sand quarries make for great views and interesting wildlife. From here there is direct access to Ringwood forest.

Stephen's Castle to Plumley wood.

Afternoon walk from Stephens castle across Ringwood castle to plumley wood and back. First taking the path up to the lookout  and then leaving the enclosed area by turning left and going uphill to the main path, joining at the barrier.

Turn right and stay on this path past the telegraph tower and across to the pylons. Go under the pylons and continue until next right turn.

Cross woodland path and turn left on the main path. Take next right and continue on this path to reach

St Stephens road. Turn right and then left into the heathland. Cross heathland and down into Verwood.

Plumley Wood, Ringwood Forest circular walk

I know it was rather dull today but the walking was lovely anyway. Out in Ringwood forest for 3 and a half hours. Coffee and a short picnic stops included. From village centre up beside Stephens castle(barrows lane) then right up the hill and into the forest. Stay on the main track past the telegraph mast and along the ridge to the electricity pylons and turn left. Follow this track to the end. You will pass a small pond on your left. 

When you get to the place where the track splits at a rise you can either go left to walk beside farmland or right to continue on the stony path. If you go left you will come back to the small pond to the right makes a circle in the other direction. Having taken the left hand route myself and coming back to the pond I then crossed the main track and took the one opposite beside the conservation woodland and then back to the far track near Somerley. 

3 hour walk from Verwood

Beautiful walk today. Up to Stephens castle, Ringwood forest on to Cranborne/Alderholt common, Sleepbrook, Plumley wood, Somerley, Ashley heath forest, Ebblake, Pottern wood and back home. About 3 hours.