Burley Road, near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, BH25 5TZ
Wilverley Inclosure
Forest recreation landscape
Place photograph
5.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.0A shady woodland circuit opens onto Wilverley Plain, where the enclosed trees give way to broad, open New Forest ground. Look out for the Victorian sign along the walk and, on a clear day, the distant Isle of Wight.
Wilverley pairs an easy-to-follow woodland walk with the change of scene at open Wilverley Plain. Its appeal is the contrast: mature trees and gravel paths give way to open ground, with ponies reported on the plain and a small historical detail to seek out on the way.
Peaceful · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapBurley Road, near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, BH25 5TZ
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The experience
Walk the woodland circuit from the car park, then continue to Wilverley Plain for a more open New Forest landscape. The route sources describe gravel paths, benches, gentle inclines and a Victorian sign to look for.
Things to do
Walk the woodland circuit
Follow the circular route through the trees from Wilverley Inclosure Car Park. One account describes a well-kept gravel path, signs and benches; route length and duration vary between sources.
About 1 hour in one visitor account; a separate guide describes a 3.4-mile, 1.5–2-hour route.
Continue to Wilverley Plain
Leave the enclosed woodland for open plain. Visitors have reported ponies and cattle here, though wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Find the Victorian sign
Keep an eye out for the Victorian sign mentioned along the woodland walk.
Look for old roadways on the plain
A visitor account notes remnants of old roadways crossing Wilverley Plain.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick woodland circuit
- 01
Start at Wilverley Inclosure Car Park and follow the woodland circuit.
- 02
Look out for the Victorian sign and pause at a bench if you want a rest.
- 03
Return to the car park.
Half day · 1–2 hours
Woodland to Wilverley Plain
- 01
Begin at Wilverley Inclosure Car Park and walk through the trees.
- 02
Continue out to Wilverley Plain for a change from shaded woodland to open ground.
- 03
Look for traces of old roadways and, in late summer, purple heather before returning.
Verified history
A visitor account says Wilverley Plain was used to grow food during the Second World War and notes remnants of old roadways across the plain. Another account describes Wilverley as one of the areas enclosed to help re-establish woodland after browsing deer had reduced tree cover; it says plaques record periods of enclosure and reopening. These details are reported by the supplied visitor sources and are not independently corroborated here.
Hidden details
The Victorian sign — A visitor account singles out a Victorian sign on the woodland walk as something to find.
Roadway traces on Wilverley Plain — Look for remnants of old roadways mentioned in a visitor account of the open plain.
When to go
August · September · Early morning is a reasonable choice for a quieter-feeling walk, though no source confirms visitor levels by time of day.
A visitor account reports purple heather beginning to flower in August and spreading across parts of the plain by September. No other seasonal claims are established by the supplied sources.
The route is outdoors and includes open ground as well as woodland. Check the forecast and current path conditions before visiting.
The route
- ascent
- 331 ft according to the route guide.
- surface
- A visitor account describes a well-kept gravel path.
- distance
- 3.4 mi return in one route guide; a visitor account describes a walk of about 2.5 miles.
- duration
- 1.5–2 hours in the route guide; just under an hour in a visitor account.
- difficulty
- Easy, according to the route guide.
- waymarking
- A visitor account reports signs along the route. The route guide gives additional directions.
- route shape
- Circular; starts and finishes at Wilverley Inclosure Car Park.
- start point
- Wilverley Inclosure Car Park.
- parking start
- Wilverley Inclosure Car Park is identified as the route start. Check current parking arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- A visitor account describes a walk of about 2.5 miles taking just under an hour; check the route on arrival, as route descriptions differ.
- Woodland circuit through mature trees and newer woodland
- Open ground at Wilverley Plain
- Victorian sign noted by a visitor account
- Old roadway traces and late-summer heather reported on the plain
What to look for
Look for the Victorian sign along the woodland walk, traces of old roadways on Wilverley Plain, and purple heather in late summer. Ponies and cattle are reported on the open plain, but sightings are not guaranteed.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Late summer to early autumn for the reported purple heather on Wilverley Plain; the woodland walk is described as an option throughout the year.
For purple heather on the plain, a visitor account reports it beginning to flower in August and becoming more extensive by September. For quieter paths, visit early in the day; this is a suggestion, not a confirmed quiet-time guarantee.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Walkers · Dogs · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A woodland walk is described from Wilverley Inclosure Car Park, with a route continuing to Wilverley Plain. Confirm current access and conditions before setting out.
Parking
Wilverley Inclosure Car Park is identified as the walk’s start point. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Dog walkers are mentioned in a visitor account. Check current local rules and keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife.
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. A separate route guide describes a mostly flat walk with some gentle rises, but does not establish that the full route is wheelchair accessible; check conditions and suitability before setting out.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Wilverley Inclosure
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
