Course start locations, details and directions

Map reading courses start from locations in and around the New Forest - course joining details with directions are sent to all course participants

  • 2021 - The year for UK adventure!
    Firstly I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult days. A full course schedule will commence from April with courses taking place right across the south and south west of England and Wales.
  • Book with confidence
    Book with confidence: Courses booked and postponed in 2020 can re-book onto a suitable replacement course right up to August 2021. Courses booked in 2021 that are cancelled due to the Covid pandemic can be rebooked for a suitable replacement course taking place anytime during 2021. Courses cancelled for other reasons will be subject to the normal booking terms and conditions.
  • Keeping safe
    Keeping us all safe:
    Do not attend the course if you have or may have been in contact with anyone who has displayed any of the symptoms of coronavirus. You should consult and follow the official government advice if you are not sure wether you are able to attend; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection If in doubt postpone and attend another day!
    Joining instructions will also include details of where to assemble at each car park/start location.
    Every participant will get their own pack of maps, compasses and laminated resources to use for the duration of the course. These will all be sterilised at the end of each course and copies of the resources will be available to download from the website.
    Each participant will have their own signing on form.
    The course will be taught whilst maintaining social distancing with a maximum group size of 6 participants and will make use of the wider tracks and paths; during the course there will still be plenty of opportunity to stop, ask questions, look and learn.
    Each participant will need to be fully equip for the expected weather and ground conditions and should also bring a small personal first aid kit and consider bringing an 'orange survival bag' (especially during wetter/colder weather).
    Participants and the group leader will always be guided by and follow current government advice on how to 'Protect yourself and others from Coronavirus' - website link: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus The government guidance gives instructions for staying safe outside your home and for meeting people from outside you household.
    All activities are risk assessed and an extra assessment has been made for carrying out emergency first aid by the group leader (Nigel) who always carries emergency equipment and a full first aid kit.
    A full safety and socially distancing briefing will be made before the course starts.
    Face coverings: These are not mandatory for any course; you may want to bring one anyway incase for any reason outdoor distancing is not possible or you need require non emergency first aid assistance. A folded buff or simple covering made form a folded scarf will be sufficient.
    Lifts: Nigel will not be able to give anyone a lift from the station or to/from accommodation. Some courses start close to the station (20 minutes walk) or a one to one/two midweek course could be arranged that starts at the station or closer to it.
Details and directions to New Forest Navigation map reading courses start locations. It is always advisable to download or familiarise your self with the directions rather than relying on a mobile data signal once you get to the forest.
Martin Down and north New Forest Day one and day two, Bronze National Navigation Award Scheme courses usually start from Martin Down A354 car park - Please note none of the car parks have public toilet facilities.
North New Forest courses include starts from Abbotts Well (Frogham car park) and Rockford Common car park
National Navigation Award Scheme - Silver level courses usually from Abbotts Well and Rockford Common car park
Central New Forest day one reading courses usually start from Wilverley Plain car park, Anderwood car park and Standing Hat car park - Standing Hat car park does not have any toilet facilities.
Central New Forest day two and bespoke midweek and weekend map reading courses usually start from Fritham car park and Abbotts Well and Frogham car park. Neither of these car parks have toilet facilities.
Central New Forest National Navigation Award Scheme - Bronze level courses usually start from Anderwood car park, Wilverley Plain car park and Fritham car park.
Wilverley Plain car park

Wilverley Plain car park

Wilverley Plain or Inclosure Forestry car park - details and directions:

Wilverley Plain car park is on the Brockenhurst to Burley Road with directions and further course information on the website here:

The postcode BH25 5TZ will get you to the right road, but NOT the actual car park using a satnav. The postcode is for Wilverley Lodge which you will pass on your left BEFORE the car park/s entrance if you are approaching from the A35, continue on until you see the car park on your left. If you are approaching via Brockenhurst then you will see the car park/s on your right, if you get to the house you have gone too far! Please do not drive up to the house.

I would strongly suggest you check the location and get/print the directions from Google BEFORE coming to the forest. Burley Rd, New Forest National Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire BH25 5TZ, UK

Both car parks Wilverley Inclosure and Wilverley Plain lead into each other and I usually park in Wilverley Plain car park either on the open plain or near the public toilets.

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

Anderwood car park

Anderwood car park

Anderwood car park - The postcode BH24 4HS will get you to the general area but not the actual car park.

From London, Souththampton, Lyndhurst  - Take the A35 towards Christchurch go PAST the Rhinefield/Bolderwood cross road and then take the FIRST right onto ‘Lyndhurst Road’ towards Burley (grass triangle island) - This road is not sign posted from the main road but does have a main road sign with a 6’6” except for access sign. Go about 1.5 miles down this road and Anderwood car park is on your right.

From Christchurch (New Milton) - Follow the A35 towards Lyndhurst, go past the Burley turn off (new 40 miles per hour limited bridge) and continue for around 2 miles or so and take the first left onto Lyndhurst Road (grass triangle island). The road is not sigh posted except for a ‘bend to right’ with junction sign. If you go past the turning take the next right onto the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and true around.

From Brockenhurst. Take the Rhinefield Road to the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive to the A35. Turn left and drive a short distance down the A35 and FIRST right onto ‘Lyndhurst Road’ towards Burley (grass triangle island) - This road is not sign posted from the main road but does have a main road sign with a 6’6” except for access sign. Go about 1.5 miles down this road and Anderwood car park is on your right.

From Burley village centre - Start on Chapel lane that leads onto Lyndhurst Road. Chapel Lane starts at the Queens Head pub/main village car park. Follow this road for around 3 or 4 miles until you see the Anderwood car park on your left. If you approach the main road (A35)then you have gone to far!

This car park has a public toilet and ample free parking.

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

Standing Hat car park

Standing Hat car park

Standing Hat Forestry car park - details and directions: The track to Standing Hat car park is close to the Balmer Lawn Hotel, Brockenhurst. Turn off the main road towards the hotel (sign posted Beaulieu), drive past the hotel entrance road, continue on this road with the houses on your right until the road bears right and the track will be straight in front of you. Follow the track past Tillery car park for about 1 mile towards the woodland and Standing Hat car park.

The postcode SO42 7QJ will get you to the right road, but NOT the actual car park using a satnav.

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

Fritham car park

Fritham car park

Fritham Forestry car park - details and directions:
Fritham car park is in Fritham, New Forest, about 100m past the Royal Oak pub with directions and further course information on the website here:
The postcode SO43 7HJ will get you to the right area, but NOT the actual car park using a satnav. Fritham and the Royal Oak pub are located right at the end of the T-junction road that is clearly sign posted.

I would strongly suggest you check the location and get/print the directions from Google BEFORE coming to the forest.

Fritham, Hampshire SO43 7HJ

If approaching from the west (Ringwood direction) you can turn off the A31 onto the Ocknell Plain and continue straight on until you reach the Fritham turning on your left. If you are traveling from the east or from within the New Forest (Southampton or Lyndhurst/Brockenhurst direction) you will need to use the B3078 Bramshaw to Fordingbridge Road as you CANNOT cross the A31 westbound!

The Fritham car park is about 100m past the Royal Oak Pub on the left down a Forest track. Do not take the immediate left almost opposite the pub; if you do turn round past the chapel and try again!

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

Abbots Well, Frogham Plain car park

If approaching south or north on the A338 or from the east B3078, turn off for Fordingbridge (but not into the actual town) and head east looking for signs to Stuckton, Hyde and Frogham.

The car park is about a 1000 metres along the same road as the Foresters Arms pub and on the right before the road drops away down hill.


Abbots Well Rd, New Forest National Park, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2JD, UK

Ashley walk car park

Ashley Walk car park

Ashley Walk/Godshill Cricket Forestry car park - details and directions:
Ashley Walk forestry car park, Roger Penny Way (B3078), Godshill, near Fordingbridge SP6 2LN.

The postcode will get you to the right area, but NOT the actual car park using a satnav. If approaching from Fordingbridge take the B3078 towards Brook/Bramshaw. The car park is on your right about a mile past the Fighting Cocks pub (just after the Godshill Cricket pitch car park).

If approaching from London/Southampton (M3/M27) take the Brook/Bramshaw Road (signed B3079) at Cadnam (M27/31 junction 1, third exit on right). At Bramshaw (Bramshaw Golf course on your right) turn left and take the B3078 (signed Fordingbridge) and continue along the B3078 for a few miles until you see the Ashley Walk car park on your left. If you reach the Godshill Cricket car park or Fighting Cocks pub you have gone too far and will need to turn back.

If approaching from with-in the New Forest on the A337, Lyndhurst Road (from Brockenhurst/Lyndhurst) bear left onto the A31 (towards motorway) BUT CONTINUE straight on/under the motor way picking up road signs for Brook/Bramshaw/Fordingbridge B3079. (DO NOT GO DOWN THE A31!). At Bramshaw (Bramshaw Golf course on your right) turn left and take the B3078 (signed Fordingbridge) and continue along the B3078 for a few miles until you see the Ashley Walk car park on your left. If you reach the Godshill Cricket car park or Fighting Cocks pub you have gone too far and will need to turn back.

I would strongly suggest you check the location and get/print the directions from Google BEFORE coming to the forest. Link: https://goo.gl/maps/q433w679NQN2 B3078 New Forest National Park, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2LN, UK

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

High Corner car park

High Corner car park

High Corner Forestry car park - details and directions:
High Corner Forestry car park, Linwood, near Ringwood, BH24 3QY (the car park is on the left as you drop down to the track to the High Corner Inn :- http://www.highcornerinn.co.uk/home)

The track to the inn is clearly sign posted and the High Corner car park is about 300 metres down the track on the left before you drop down to the inn itself.

If approaching from Ringwood on the A338 (heading north to Fordingbridge) turn right down Ellignham Drove (brown tourist sign clearly sign posts the High Corner Inn).
If approaching from Fordingbridge on A338 (heading south towards Ringwood) turn left down Ellignham Drove (brown tourist sign clearly sign posts the High Corner Inn).

Continue down Ellignham Drove until you approach Moyles Court School (30mph sign/cattle grid) and the road will bear sharp right, continue on towards Linwood (signed for Linwood). The road bears left over a red bricked bridge to a road junction – turn left (signed Linwood), Take the right hand turn (with the grass triangle on you left) and continue straight on towards Linwood (the road goes slightly up hill with a lovely large oak on your left next to the 6’6” except for access sign!). This is the only raod to Lindwood stay on this for a few miles going past the Red Shoot Inn, access to Higher farm only (sign) and as you enter more open heathland and the road flattens out you will see the sign for the High Corner Inn. Take this track for 300 metres to the High Corner Forestry car park.

Click on a map to download a PDF version…

Rockford Common car park

The Rockford Common car park is best accessed via the A338.

From the A338 Salisbury Road (Ringwood or Fordingbridge direction) use the Ellingham Drove Road exit for Moyles Court and Linwood (also brown signpost/s Redshoot Inn/camping site). Continue past the nature reserve lakes and then just after the cattle grid and Ibsley 30 speed sign continue straight on (sign posted Mockbegger and North Gorley) between between Moyles Court School playing fields/buildings.

Next right at junction and then over the ford and continue straight. Rockford Common car park (National Trust non-payment) is straight in front of you near the disused sand quarry (signposted as a T-junction road). If the ford is too high park either side of the road just before it and use the foot bridge!

Nearest Post Code BH24 3NF
Grid Reference SU164082
Open Street map link: https://osm.org/go/euib7EmOB--?m=

This postcode will get you to the general area of the car park but NOT the actual car park. PRINT off or make sure you have directions to the car park BEFORE coming to the forest.

Martin Down

Martin Down - A354 and Sillens lane

Martin Down Nature Reserve - A354 car park. Nearest postcode is SP5 5RH, Grid reference SU037201 and what3words escorting.tweeted.nets. 

New Forest - Starting locations for map reading courses

New Forest Navigation map reading courses start from car parks and villages within the New Forest National Park. The New Forest is located in south Hampshire, South East England. It is easily accessible from the surrounding counties of Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey, Sussex and London. No need to travel to Snowdnia or Peak District with the New Forest on your door step!
Course start locations are reached easily from all New Forest villages and towns, which all have a huge range of accommodation options; Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington, Christchurch, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Burley, Sway and further afield at Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury.

New Forest Navigation

Learn Map Reading and how to use a Compass courses in the New Forest.
New Forest National Park, Hampshire, UK
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© Nigel Parrish - New Forest Navigation 2011-18