Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

No overnight parking.

Weekdays

Monday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk
Tuesday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk
Wednesday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk
Thursday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk
Friday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk

Weekends

Saturday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk
Sunday
Opening hours Dawn to dusk

How to find us

How to find us
Ornamental Drive, Nr Lyndhurst
Sat Nav Postcode: SO43 7GE
By Car

Bolderwood is located 2 miles north west of Emery Down, which is off the A35 just west of Lyndhurst.  

OS Grid Ref
SU 243 086
Get directions

50.876790527371, -1.6563432140136

Parking and prices

There isn’t a charge to park at this site, we welcome a donation of £3 per visit.

Please park only in designated car parks, not on a verge or in gateways.

Please lock your car, taking any valuables with you and leave by dusk.

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Donations welcome at this site.

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

There are no designated accessible parking spaces at this forest, have you seen our Easy Access trails page?

Disabled parking available

Facilities and access

To help prevent dangerous forest fires, this is a no BBQ and fire zone – BBQs and campfires are not permitted in our car parks or other areas of the forest managed by Forestry England and all BBQ facilities have been removed.

The toilets are open, with adapted external locks to allow them to be used on a one-in-one-out basis. 

if this car park is full please drive on to the next ones at Bratley View, or Canadian Memorial, do not park on the verges or block gateways.

Assistant dogs welcome
Dogs allowed
Picnic area
Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number
0300 067 4601
Out Of Hours Number
0300 067 4600
E-Mail Address
southern.enquiries@forestryengland.uk

Situated on an old coaching route, Bolderwood has all the ingredients for a family day out

We are delighted that Bolderwood is featured as part of the Ancient Canopy to be dedicated to Her Majesty in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.  Ancient Woodlands are cherished reminders of our living heritage, often referred to as “nature’s Crown Jewels”. We are proud to be part of this unique project, which aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations. 

Bolderwood contains some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the New Forest with some dating back as far as 1860.  South of Bolderwood car park lies an extensive area of ancient and ornamental woodland, which has a wonderful mixture of native trees that is open to local peoples’ grazing animals.  It has many veteran trees growing that are home to rare wildlife and plants. These big, old trees provide a vital link to the landscape’s history, when it was a Royal Forest and deer park.

The New Forest has a fascinating history and Bolderwood has direct links to The Crown.  The earliest record of a royal hunting lodge at Bolderwood dates to 1325 and the reign of King Edward II.  A lodge existed on the site in various forms until the 18th century when it was demolished.

Craig Harrison, Forestry England’s Deputy Surveyor for the New Forest said: “We’re absolutely delighted and honoured that Bolderwood has been chosen to be part of the Ancient Canopy. It recognises the woodland’s special features and historic royal connection.

“It’s a tribute on behalf of the whole New Forest community, dedicating this woodland to The Queen in honour of 70 years of service to her country."

“The tribute is also a credit to my Forestry England colleagues who work extremely hard to look after the New Forest and carefully plan and expertly manage this area for future generations to enjoy.”

Respect, Protect, Enjoy

To help prevent dangerous forest fires, this is a no BBQ and fire zone – BBQs and campfires are not permitted in our car parks or other areas of the forest managed by Forestry England and all BBQ facilities have been removed.

Explore Bolderwood on two wheels by following the New Forest’s great network of cycle trails.

At a glance

No barbecues or fires zone
17/05/2022 12:08
Dogs welcome
17/05/2022 12:08

Things to do

Bolderwood cycle trail

The trail starts at the bottom (west) end of the car park.

Turn left over the cattle grid, past the magnificent, tall Douglas fir trees along the Bolderwood Ornamental Drive.

Cycle over another cattle grid and you will find yourself immersed in some of the New Forest's famous ancient woodlands.

Continue down the hill until you go over another cattle grid, shortly after which you need to turn right onto a Forest track marked with a wooden waymarker post.

Continue along this track, following the cycle posts, through mixed woodland to a set of double gates.

Carry on through both gates and keep following the track straight on for several miles, ignoring a marked turning to your left and two marked turnings to your right.

At the end of the track go through a gate and turn immediately right onto a tarmaced private road, still following the cycle network waymarker posts.

Continue along this road until you reach a crossroads with a Forest track and you see a 'no cycling' sign in front of you.

Turn right at this junction following the waymarker posts back to Bolderwood. This track will take you through miles of peaceful woodland.

You will eventually come across an open area with two benches on your right.

At this point a walking route joins the cycle route so please be aware of pedestrians.

As the cycle route climbs up hill you pass behind the Bolderwood deer fields on your right so keep an eye out for deer in this area.

At the top of the hill cycle past a barrier and turn right.

BEWARE there is a public road ahead. At the road turn right and follow the road back to your starting point at Bolderwood car park.

For more information, please see the Cycling in the New Forest page.

Find out more

Walking trails at Bolderwood

Whether you're looking for a family adventure or a bit of peace and quiet to observe the wildlife, we've got a trail for you. 

Keep your eyes peeled, you may even spot some deer!

 

Find out more

Nearby forests

Close up of oak leaf

Knightwood Oak

Knightwood Oak is a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic, 'away from it all' and try to imagine what it would have been like over 500 years ago when the famous Knightwood Oak tree began to grow.

The Knightwood Oak is the largest oak in the New Forest, at 7.4m girth, and surely one of the oldest. 

Find out more
Boy counting tree rings on a very old tree that's been felled.

Blackwater

Blackwater arboretum is an idyllic setting with a stunning variety of beautiful trees from around the world. Inspired by the tree collection at this special place, a sensory sculpture trail complements the setting.

Explore Blackwater on two wheels by following the New Forest’s great network of cycle trails.

Find out more
Woman running with dog

Whitefield Moor

Enjoy the stunning views of the heathland and trees beyond. This is an ideal spot for all the family with good waymarked walking trail that pass by the nearby Ober Water stream.

Find out more
Sun shining through the trees in a pine forest

Wilverley

If you are looking for an ideal spot for picnicing, a walk in the woods or amazing views then Wilverley has it all. 

From the car park there's easy access into the adjoining woodland with a waymarked trail. The extensive grassy lawn offers valuable grazing for ponies and beyond the Forest lawn the heathland is home to many important bird species.

Find out more
Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England