Cycling

South Food Cycle Trail

Updated Railway cycle route
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
8.8 ml
Duration
1.5 hr
Brockenhurst Railway Station, SO42 7TW

Distance (one way): 8.8 miles (14.2km)

Start: Brockenhurst Railway Station
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The South trail starts near to the railway station in Brockenhurst (perfect if you are travelling by train) through the picture perfect scenery to Burley along the old railway line. There are quaint tea rooms in both Burley and Brockenhurst to grab a yummy snack as well as opportunities to pick up some scrumptious new forest treats. Make sure you take your camera as there are bound to be some great shots you'll want to treasure forever.

 

 

Brockenhurst to Burley
After mooching around Brockenhurst village; hire some bikes from Cyclexperience (if you need to). From Brockenhurst station turn right heading to Lymington on the A337 and then left into Church Lane (passing the oldest church in the New Forest) follow this lane until you reach the main road. Cross over the road into Tile Barn Lane and continue to the end.

At the end of the road turn right, go downhill and pick up the off road track on your right (after passing under the railway bridge) – post 217. Stay on the off road cycle network until post 191 where you will meet a main road (Holmsley Road is a main road with a 40mph speed limit).

Follow the main road (Station Road) for about a mile, go under the old railway bridge and you will arrive at The Station House at Holmsley. Known as 'the oasis in the forest' this is a chance for a well earned refreshment break.

Opposite the Station House is a gate (post 161) leading you past the old railway platform and along the track to Burbush Hill Car Park (post 157). From the car park follow the road into Burley village.

Enjoy lunch at one of the pubs or tea rooms then head to New Forest Cider and the Burley Fudge shop to take home some tasty New Forest treats (or to just try a few samples).

Retrace your route back towards Brockenhurst or if you are feeling adventurous use the maps to plan an alternative route back.

 

Burley to Brockenhurst
Start: Head to Burley Fudge shop to take home some New Forest treats (or to just try a few samples), or to eat on your bike ride. Take a look around the other great shops in Burley while you’re there as well, including New Forest Cider. You could enjoy a bite to eat at one of the local pubs or tearooms before you set off.

Once you’re done looking around; hire some bikes from New Forest Cycling (if you need to). From Burley Village make your way to Burbush Hill Car Park (post 157), and follow the track past the old railway platform to the gate opposite the Station House (post 161).

The Station House at Holmsley is also known as ‘the oasis in the forest’ this is a chance to stop for a refreshment. You will then need to join the main road and go under the old railway bridge (Holmsley Road is a main road with a 40mph speed limit) carry along this road for about a mile.

Then you will need to join the off road cycle network at post 191. Follow the track until you see the railway bridge to your left. Take the left where you will join the main road and go under the railway bridge, here you will have to ride up a hill and then turn left onto Tile Barn Lane.

Cross over the road onto Church Lane and follow this lane down (passing the oldest church in the New Forest) until you reach the A337. Here you need to turn right heading to Brockenhurst. Then turn left into Brockenhurst Station.

When you arrive at Brockenhurst Station you can lock your bikes up safely and take a walk to Brockenhurst Village where there are lots of shops, pubs, tearooms and more.

Retrace your route back towards Burley or if you are feeling adventurous use the maps to plan an alternative route back