There's a route across the Forest from Salisbury if anyone needs it, missing out Lyndhurst/Brockenhurst, but it's not well signposted. You take the B3080 off the A338 at Downton. Then a right turn on the brow of a hill onto an unclassified road (opposite Forest Road). Then another right well before you cross the A31. Then left at the next T junction. This road goes under the A31.Once under, and at the carpark merge right onto Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive - this is really scenic, but narrow in places.Cross the A35 on the level - take your life in your hands - and continue on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.This becomes Rhinefield Road on the outskirts of Brockenhurst, where after some buildings and a hotel on the right, turn left after a clearing onto Meerut Road. This will bring you to the A337 Lyndhurst Road. Turn left, but get ready for the first right - it's not far. This is Balmer Lawn Road. Under the old railway bridge, and the road becomes the B3055. That becomes Hatchett Lane and takes you to Beaulieu, and Bucklers Hard. I've used this route for 25 years to avoid the delays in the two main towns. Check it out on Google Maps or get an OS map. It's a great drive.
Well done Dave - fantastic detailing as usual.
I did my First Class Badge hike (Boy Scouts)through the ornamental drive. Its famouse for its giant redwood trees. Worth a through visit if your coming that way. Sadly much of the forest has been organised now with formal bland car parking areas with difficulty made for stopping where you want to. I'm not sure about this ornamental route though.
Thanks for all of the hotel info but we had already booked some weeks ago in Milford On Sea, some way from Beaulieu.
It is the expected arrival time at Beaulieu time I was trying to establish.
