The New Forest National Park - Bolderwood Ornamental Drive, The Knightwood Oak and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

About 2 miles from Lyndhurst on the A35 heading towards Christchurch, take a right turn into the picturesque Bolderwood Ornamental Drive. This is a beautiful part of the New Forest National Park and home to the famous 'Knightwood Oak' and the Deer Sanctuary. There are several car parks along this narrow, meandering road and the most popular is the main Bolderwood car park at the end of Ornamental Drive. There are plenty of walks or trails to be enjoyed and Bolderwood forms part of the New Forest cycle network. The magnificent trees of Ornamental Drive is a sight not to be missed and a great photo opportunity. Toilet facilities, an Information cabin, a picnic area with wooden benches, the Deer Sanctuary, cycle routes and graded walks are all accessible from the Bolderwood main car park.

From the A35, turn into Bolderwood Ornamental Drive, the first car park on the left hand side is the Knightwood Oak car park. The famous 'Knightwood Oak' is the largest and possibly the oldest oak tree in the New Forest National Park, estimated to be between 400 and 600 years old, its girth measures 7.4 metres and it is still growing. This giant oak, also known as the 'Queen of the Forest', is a fine example of the ancient art of 'pollarding', a method of harvesting timber without killing the tree. Follow the signs along a gravel path to locate the 'Knightwood Oak', just a few minutes walk away from the car park. Today the tree is surrounded by a fence to help protect its route system. Continue down Ornamental Drive to the nearby Deer Sanctuary and The Bolderwood main car park.

About 2 miles from Lyndhurst on the A35 heading towards Christchurch, take a left turn into the picturesque Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. This part of the Forest is home to the giant Douglas Firs, Redwoods and beautiful Rhododendrons (best viewed late May to early June, when they are in full bloom). Blackwater or Brock Hill, on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive are two great locations to see some of the oldest and tallest Douglas Firs and Redwoods in Britain. Walk the 'Tall Trees Trail' from either Blackwater or Brockhill carpark and find the forests two tallest trees (Redwoods, standing side by side). Trees from around the world can be experienced on the 'Sensory Trail' at the Blackwater Arboretum. Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is very popular, attracting large numbers of visitors throughout the year.