ALL ARE welcome to join the ride in memory of Mark Brummell on May 26, on a route from the Wellington Arms to the Turf Cutters. This will be a friendly, easy-paced ride and we will stop for refreshments en-route at the Bold Forester. Assemble at the Wellington Arms at 10am.
This ride is approximately 15 miles, mainly on quiet roads and off-road paths and includes a stretch across open forest land. It would also be a good route for a day out on a bank holiday or sunny Sunday as it includes Eling Tide Mill and Heritage Centre (with cafe) and Beaulieu village.
From the Wellington Arms, ride south on Park Road to join Millbrook Road; turn right and continue to the end, joining the shared off-road path alongside Millbrook Road East.
Follow the signed cycle route via Third Avenue and Second Avenue and Redbridge Causeway then take the slope down to join Eling Lane; turn left and continue to Eling Tide Mill.
Cross the toll bridge (free for bikes) and continue straight on (public toilets on the right) up the hill past Eling Church and the Village Bells to Marchwood Road.
Use the cycle facility to cross Marchwood Road into Trotts Lane and continue over the level crossing and through Pooks Green, straight on at the crossroads, first right into Hythe Road for a short distance then right into Twiggs Lane.
Cross the Marchwood Bypass using the crossing by Marchwood Infant School and continue on Twiggs Lane, bearing left on to Beaulieu Road.
The Bold Forester is on the right and a good place to stop for coffee or a cold drink. Continue in the same direction, round the bend at Hanger Corner, over a cattle grid and straight on at Ipley Cross.
After several miles across open heath the road joins the B3056.
Turn left on the B3056 towards Beaulieu and take the first left after the village, signposted Bucklers Hard, up a short steep hill, take the first right and, after about a mile, first right again into Cripple Gate Lane to East Boldre.
Turn right opposite the church and you will find the Turf Cutters on the left.
NB – If you have an off-road bike you can avoid the B3056 by going almost straight ahead (through Leygreen Farm) instead of turning left towards Beaulieu and taking the signed path to East Boldre; this is marked Wood Lane (track) on the OS map.
Return uses the same route or one of several options:
- Cycle to Hythe and catch the ferry
- Follow the forest cycle tracks to Lyndhurst, then the off-road cycle route alongside Southampton Road back to Southampton
- Follow forest cycle tracks to Beaulieu Road and catch a train from Beaulieu Road Station (hourly on Sundays, two-hourly on Saturdays).
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