CYCLING EXPERIENCE
1) BEAULIEU TO BUCKERS HARD Start point: Beaulieu, SO42 7ZL, Distance from hotel: 40 minute drive Distance of ride: 2 miles each way / 30 minutes This short route of just 2 miles follows along the gravel path besides the Beaulieu River as it meanders its way to the picturesque village of Buckler’s Hard. Stunning scenery all the way. Combine with a visit to the excellent Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Hire bikes and start off at the New Forest Activities on the High Street in Beaulieu.
2) LYNDHURST TO HATCHET POND Start point: Gosport Ln, Lyndhurst, SO43 7BF, Distance from hotel: 25 minute drive Distance of ride: 8 miles each way / 1 – 2 hours This easy-going cycle route starts at the pretty town of Lyndhurst – regarded as the ‘capital’ of the New Forest. It then takes you through lovely New Forest habitats, until you reach Hatchet Pond, a haven for wildlife. Most of the way is on managed gravel tracks, with a small 0.5-mile stretch on a quiet lane. Hire bikes in Lyndhurst – try AA Bike Hire or The Woods Cyclery – then cycle down Gosford Lane to the start.
3) COASTAL PIER-TO-PIER CYCLE RIDE Start point: Christchurch Harbour Hotel Distance of ride: 11 miles to Boscombe and back, 14 miles to Bournemouth and back / 2 hours to Boscombe, 2.5 hours to Bournemouth Several years back, someone in the council had the genius idea to install a promenade for a walking/cycling route right along the coastline, connecting up existing fragments. This excellent route sees you leave the hotel to catch the ferry at Mudeford Quay across the Mudeford Spit. From there, it’s a flat car-free road along the water’s edge to the beautiful nature reserve at Hengistbury Head. When you reach the Hungry Hiker café, cross the park to join the promenade alongside the sandy beach. The coastline promenade just goes on and on, so you can ride for as long or short a distance as you like. If you make it that far, we recommend stopping off at the ever-popular Urban Reef by Boscombe Pier for food & drink. Otherwise, remember take a Harbour Hotels’ luxury picnic to eat on the beach somewhere along the way or return to the Christchurch Harbour Hotel for a well-earned lunch, dinner or afternoon tea on the Upper Deck’s terrace. CYCLING EXPERIENCE
4) MOORS VALLEY Start point: Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET, Distance from hotel: 25 minute drive Distance of ride: Varies, from 30 minutes This excellent outdoor activity centre in the New Forest has a number of marked trails for beginner mountain bikers – a great way to get out and experience the New Forest habitats. There’s a nice café there, or take a luxury Harbour Hotels picnic to eat along the way. Open daily from 8am.
5) NEW FOREST TRAILS FROM BROCKENHURST Start point: Gosport Ln, Lyndhurst, SO43 7B, Distance from hotel: 25 minute drive Distance of ride: Varies, from 30 minutes There are a wide variety of marked cycling trails in the New Forest. You can download a map of the best routes at: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/things-to-do/cycling/cycling-routes/ Hire bikes and start off at the Brockenhurst Cycle Experience. They can also give you advice of which trail you’d like best. CYCLING EXPERIENCE
COASTAL PIER-TO-PIER CYCLE RIDE Places to stop: Start point: Christchurch Harbour Hotel A) Hengistbury Head Distance of ride: 11 miles to Boscombe and back, B) Urban Reef & Boscombe Pier 14 miles to Bournemouth and back / 2 hours to Boscombe, 2.5 hours to Bournemouth
Several years back, someone in the council had the genius idea to install a promenade for a walking/cycling route right along the coastline, connecting up existing fragments. This excellent route sees you leave the hotel to catch the ferry at Mudeford Quay across the Mudeford Spit. From there, it’s a flat car-free road along the water’s edge to the beautiful nature reserve at Hengistbury Head. When you reach the Hungry Hiker café, cross the park to join the promenade alongside the sandy beach. The coastline promenade just goes on and on, so you can ride for as long or short a distance as you like. If you make it that far, we recommend stopping off at the ever-popular Urban Reef by Boscombe Pier for food & drink. Otherwise, remember take a Harbour Hotels’ luxury picnic to eat on the beach somewhere along the way or return to the Christchurch Harbour Hotel for a well-earned lunch, dinner or afternoon tea on the Upper Deck’s terrace. CYCLING EXPERIENCE
BEAULIEU TO BUCKERS HARD Start point: Beaulieu, SO42 7ZL Distance of ride: 2 miles each way / 30 minutes
This short route of just 2 miles follows along Places to stop: the gravel path besides the Beaulieu River as it meanders its way to the picturesque village of A) Motor Museum Buckler’s Hard. Stunning scenery all the way. B) Bucker’s Hard Combine with a visit to the excellent Beaulieu National Motor Museum. C) Steff’s Kitchen at Fairweather’s Garden Centre Hire bikes and start off at the New Forest Activities on the High Street in Beaulieu.