New Forest Cycling Tours

From Brockenhurst, we ride out towards the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive on gravel tracks. Our first stop is the Reptile Centre where we might see adders, frogs and other reptiles native to the New Forest. The Portuguese Fireplace is on this tour too which is the remains of a hutted camp used by a Portuguese army unit that aided the local labour force in producing timber during the First World War. Back on the gravel, we find ourselves in stunning parts of the New Forest with the tour going behind the Deer Sanctuary where we might see deer if we are lucky !

Out of the Forest and on to lanes that take us though to the small village of Burley, where a stop for a cappuccino and cake at Shappen Cafe may be required to “refuel”. Though the other side of the village, we drop down on to the old railway line and ride through open heathland. It is just a short ride back to Brockenhurst.

Our adventure begins at Avebury, take a journey to a deeply significant World Heritage Site to Avebury, Wiltshire. There is still much mystery surrounding Avebury and this tour will take you through some of the fascinating history along the way. We begin our journey riding away from Avebury village towards Silbury Hill. This striking hill is Neolithic and was constructed by hand. The reason for its existence is unknown. Leaving Silbury Hill, we have a short ride along the A4 with West Kennet Long Barrow in the distance on the right hand side. We then pick up the Ridgeway, the oldest trail in Europe and an ancient byway and begin our ascent onto the Marlborough Downs. Taking a right fork, we leave the Ridgeway and pass through Sarsen stones as we cross Overton Down. Here you will find the Devil’s Den, a dolmen burial chamber, which is also Neolithic. Travelling through The Gallops, a racehorse training area, we start our first decent through the villages of Rockley and Ogborne Maizey before picking up some of the old railway line between Marlborough and Swindon.

We then join the Ridgeway again near Ogborne St George from where you will be offered spectacular views across the surrounding downland. We will make a pit stop for a packed lunch/refreshment break in woodlands along the Ridgeway. From here, take a seat on the bench and look across Swindon. We pass by the earthworks at Liddington Castle, a late Bronze Age/early Iron Age hillfort before dropping down onto the road and picking up the Old Ridgeway onto a steep climb towards Barbury Castle Country Park. Here, once more, you can expect some stunning views. We will cycle right through Barbury Castle hillfort as we continue our journey along the Ridgeway.

We will have the opportunity to view one of Wiltshire’s White Horse chalk carvings, Hackpen White Horse. One of eight white horse chalk carvings found in Wiltshire, this horse dates from 1838 and was commissioned to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria. Shortly after, we take a right hand turn along the byway – this is rutted in places but makes for a fun and bumpy ride! Passing through a farmyard, we can see the impressive Avebury Stone Circle in the distance. We travel through the sacred Avebury henge which is believed to have been constructed between 2850 and 2200BC. We will spend some time here soaking up the history with plenty of chances for photos by the stones.

Roads, bridleways and byways including roots and loose stones.

A 27 mile loop around the rolling North Wessex Downs and through small chocolate box villages, via The Kennet and Avon Canal.

In 1724 the River Kennet was made navigable from Reading to Newbury, and by 1727 boats could reach as far as Bath. For hundreds of years before this people had talked about linking the River Kennet with the River Avon, but it was not until 1794 that a route was fixed via Devizes and an Act was passed. The resulting canal was completed in 1810.

Leaving the canal behind and find trail to find the Green Man; ride too fast and you will miss him..! This Green Man is a replica of the Bamberg Green Man and is carved into the cut end of a lopped branch of a living oak tree above our heads.

Riding back we might see Red Kites hunting for food.

Terrain: Roads, bridleways and byways including roots and loose stones.

A gentle start to our ride through Rempstone Heath where we can see Corfe Castle in the distance, leading up to our first steep climb up onto Purbecks Hills where we find the Grange Arch. The arch was built by Denis Bond (1676-1747) to terminate a vista from his Creech Grange home. The route will take us on a high chalky ridge with 360 stunning views of Dorset, dropping down for our lunch stop at Corfe Castle. The keep at Corfe Castle was built in the early 12th century for King Henry I, William the Conqueror’s son. It was designed to be impressive – and it certainly was. Standing 21 metres tall and positioned atop a 55-metre-high hill, this gleaming tower of Purbeck limestone could be seen from miles around. Leaving the village behind we head towards a long climb on top of Brenscombe Hill, looking out for the steam train from Swanage Railway. A chalk bridleway takes us to Ballard Down where we can see Old Harry Rocks in front of us.Thousands of years ago, Old Harry and The Needles (another chalk rock formation) on the Isle of Wight were linked by a line of chalk hills that eroded away during the last ice age.

Terrain: Roads, bridleways and byways including roots and loose stones.

Our adventure begins on the outskirts of the medieval city of Salisbury. Shortly after starting our ride, we will stop at the Iron Age hillfort of Old Sarum, the original site of Salisbury and home to the earliest cathedral of Salisbury for a photo opportunity. From here, you can see over to modern day Salisbury and to Old Sarum airfield. Journeying into Salisbury, you will spot Salisbury Cathedral’s majestic spire standing at an impressive 123 metres in the distance. You will pass across the water meadows views of Salisbury Cathedral depicted in Constable’s famous painting to the Old Mill at Harnham, where you will pass over the old weir and if you are lucky catch the turquoise flash of a kingfisher by the river!

Heading out of Salisbury, the next port of call is Salisbury Racecourse along the old cattle drove. Here, you can expect sweeping views of the chalk downland and across the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Shortly afterwards, you’ll expect your first descent into the pretty hamlet of Burcombe. We will travel along some country roads before climbing up towards Grovely Woods on the Wilton Estate. In late spring, you can expect to see carpets of bluebells adorning the woodland floor. Descend into Great Wishford, another beautiful Wiltshire village before beginning an ascent onto Salisbury Plain across byways.

We will make a pit stop for refreshments in some woodlands. Shortly afterwards, you will begin to see the iconic World Heritage Site of Stonehenge in the distance. We make a stop near to Stonehenge for a photo opportunity. Stand in awe of this magnificent Neolithic monument and soak up the fascinating history before beginning the return journey. Our journey back to Salisbury passes by ancient burial mounds as we descend into the Woodford Valley, briefly onto National Cycleway 45 passing Lake House, one of Sting’s abodes! Crossing the River Avon, we skirt along the edge of the river before a steep climb onto a ridgeway above the Woodford valley before we return towards Old Sarum and the Park & Ride site.

Terrain: Roads, bridleways and byways including roots and loose stones.

With good flowing singletrack, technical climbing and descending. This tour is a challenge for the cross country mountain biker. The trails winds though small villages and on green lanes, and a climb up onto The Devil’s Punch Bowl. Wow what a view ! King Alfred’s Way forms a key link with other long-distance routes, as it connects four National Trails: The South Downs Way, North Downs Way, the rideable half of the Ridgeway, and the Thames Path. Looking forward to guiding riders round this route.

Come and have fun with us.

Terrain: Forest gravel tracks, bridleways, byways and roads.