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New Forest Cycle Ride - 1
Woodland near Ashurst: Churchplace, Deerleap and Longdown Inclosures

Location: 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) south-east of Ashurst.

Distance: 6 kilometres (3¾ miles), including a short stretch of Deerleap Lane.

Start: Deerleap car park on Deerleap Lane, close to the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park (SU 353095).  
Station: Ashurst, 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) by road from the Deerleap car park, but those travelling by train might prefer the alternative start point in Ashurst camp site.
Forest Holidays camp site: Ashurst, 4 kilometres (2½ miles) by road, but see below.

Alternative starts: Ashurst camp site - a cycle track from the camp site joins this cycle route on the edge of Churchplace Inclosure.


Cycle route 1 map
� Walking Distance (Maps) Ltd 2008. Reproduced by permission.    Walking Distance cycle maps.    Map purchase and contact info.

Directions:
(Only designated cycle tracks, and roads are usually mentioned; not footpaths and other tracks).

1)    Follow the cycle track out of the car park and over a strip of grassland/encroaching heath running         between Deerleap and Longdown Inclosures – Deerleap Inclosure is on the right.

2)    After a relatively short distance, pass a gravel track on the left – it is not a cycle track – and eventually         travel downhill to cross a narrow stream flanked by alder carr. Notice here the prominent pipes used         to control the water flow.

3)    Follow the cycle track to the right, through a gate into Deerleap Inclosure, and immediately reach a         ‘T’ junction – cycle track sign number 45.

4)    Turn left, and then follow the route as it immediately goes right.

5)    Continue parallel to the railway line (lookout along here by the trackside for the huge, domed nests         of southern wood ants), and then after just over 1 kilometre (0.6 mile), ignore a turn on the left         and continue into Churchplace Inclosure.

6)    Follow the cycle track until a ‘T’ junction is reached, turn right – note, straight ahead here is not a         cycle track – and continue on, eventually back into the coniferous woodland of Deerleap Inclosure.

7)    Reach a ‘X’ roads on the edge of a block of mature conifers. Note, straight on is not a cycle track, and         the cycle track sign here is ‘sideways-on’ and therefore not particularly obvious.

8)   Turn left to, after 0.75 kilometres (½ mile), leave Deerleap Inclosure through a gate. After a short        distance, turn right along Deerleap Lane and the car park is not far away, on the right.

Points of interest:

Churchplace Inclosure

First enclosed 1810. Primarily mature broad-leaved trees, including many from the original planting. This inclosure is also particularly good for butterflies from June to August, including in July, the magnificent white admiral and the silver-washed fritillary.
Deerleap Inclosure

First enclosed 1867. Mainly conifers, with a small number of broad-leaves.
Longdown Inclosure

First enclosed 1960 – this is what is sometimes known as a ‘Verderers’ Inclosure’. Primarily conifers.
Wetland management
Water pipes used to control stream flow - visible shortly into the cycle ride.
Site of a Royal Hunting Lodge
Close to the cycle track in Churchplace Inclosure can be found the site of a Royal Hunting Lodge.

And finally, find out about the countryside and wildlife that can be seen during the cycle ride:

Woodland inclosures - a bit of history
Broad-leaved inclosures
Coniferous inclosures
Heathland

 
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