Rhinefield, near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire

Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

route · Woodland walk

Place photograph

7.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandForestWalkersFamiliesPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

7.2

Planted in the late 1850s as part of the Rhinefield estate’s ornamental landscape, the redwoods and firs now form a striking walk beneath some of the New Forest’s tallest trees.

The appeal is more than a pleasant forest track: this short circuit takes you among giant redwoods, Douglas firs and giant sequoias, then through an arboretum of trees from around the world. Its combination of imposing scale and an easy-to-follow woodland route makes it a distinctive New Forest stop.

Peaceful · Atmospheric

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Rhinefield, near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire

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The experience

Allow about an hour for the AllTrails circular route, or follow the roughly two-mile Blackwater circuit for a fuller visit. Look up among the redwoods and firs, explore the arboretum, and finish with the arched bridge over the Blackwater. Check conditions before travelling after heavy rain.

Things to do

Walk the Tall Trees Trail

Follow the woodland path beneath coast redwoods, Douglas firs and giant sequoias. The route description places these trees along the section between Blackwater and Brock Hill.

About 0.5–1 hour

Explore Rhinefield Arboretum

Take the described circuit through the arboretum and look for the range of tree species gathered from around the world.

Pause by the Blackwater bridge

The walk guide highlights the tranquil river and arched road bridge near the car park entrance as a notable view. Check conditions, especially after heavy rain.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 0.5–1 hour

Quick Escape: beneath the Tall Trees

01
Start from Blackwater car park.
02
Follow the Tall Trees Trail through the redwoods and firs.
03
Turn back when you have had time to take in the giant trees; check the route and conditions locally before setting out.

Half day · Around 1.5–2 hours

Make a Half Day of It: Tall Trees and the arboretum

01
Begin at Blackwater car park and take the path through the wooden arch towards the Tall Trees Trail.
02
Walk among the coast redwoods, Douglas firs and giant sequoias towards Brock Hill car park.
03
Follow the gravel cycle path and the described route to Rhinefield Arboretum; take time to look at its trees from around the world.
04
Return to Blackwater and, if conditions allow, see the arched bridge over the river.

Verified history

The redwoods and firs on the Tall Trees walk were planted in the late 1850s to create the Ornamental Drive for the nearby Rhinefield House. The supplied route guide identifies coast redwoods, Douglas firs and two giant sequoias among the notable trees.

Hidden details

Find the giant sequoias — The route guide notes two giant sequoias among the trees on the Tall Trees walk; AllTrails identifies one of its sights as ‘Goliath’ Giant Sequoia.

Look for the arched bridge over the Blackwater — The local walk guide points out the river and arched road bridge close to the Blackwater car park entrance.

When to go

· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.

The supplied route sources describe the walk and warn that the ford may become submerged or impassable after heavy rain; they do not establish a seasonal peak.

The route can be muddy after wet weather. AllTrails warns that the Blackwater ford may be submerged and impassable at times of heavy rain; check local conditions before setting out.

The route

ascent: 82 ft (AllTrails).
surface: Forest trails, a section of road and a gravel cycle path; can be muddy after wet weather.
distance: About 2 miles (3.5 km) circular from Blackwater, according to New Forest Walks; AllTrails lists a 2.6-mile circular route.
duration: About 0.5–1 hour on AllTrails; allow longer for the arboretum and stops.
difficulty: Easy, mostly flat, according to AllTrails.
waymarking: The New Forest Walks directions refer to cycle route marker post 244.
route shape: Circular
start point: Blackwater car park
parking start: Blackwater car park is the described starting point; check current parking arrangements. ///shredding.shadow.drum is supplied by New Forest Walks as a location reference.
shorter alternative: Walk the Tall Trees Trail as an out-and-back from Blackwater rather than completing the full arboretum circuit; check the route locally.

Tall Trees Trail beneath coast redwoods, Douglas firs and giant sequoias
Rhinefield Arboretum and its trees from around the world
The Blackwater and its arched road bridge

What to look for

01
The giant sequoias, including the tree known as ‘Goliath’
02
the coast redwoods and Douglas firs along the Tall Trees Trail
03
the arboretum’s collection of trees from around the world
04
and the arched road bridge over the Blackwater.

The story

Victorian-era ornamental planting

Best time to go

All year; check conditions after heavy rain, when the Blackwater ford may be impassable.

Choose a clear, calm period for an unhurried walk beneath the tall trees. Check the ford before setting out after heavy rain.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Families · Photographers

Route at a glance

Duration

1–2 hours

Terrain

Woodland, Forest

Parking / start

Blackwater car park is the described starting point. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Brockenhurst

Google rating

4.9 · 75 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A circular woodland walk from Blackwater car park through the planted Tall Trees and Rhinefield Arboretum. Check current local conditions before setting out; the Blackwater ford may be submerged or impassable after heavy rain.

Check before visiting

Parking

Blackwater car park is the described starting point. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The circular route is described as easy and mostly flat, but includes forest trails, a section of road and a possible ford crossing. Surface and ford conditions may affect access.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

River