NEW FOREST WALK ALONG THE DOCKENS WATER (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K)

In this episode of my series “ New Forest Walks”, I take a 6 mile linear walk along the course of the Dockens Water - a stream that flows East to West from Fritham to the River Avon in Hampshire. Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
I start my journey at the source of the Dockens Water, just North of the village of Fritham in the New Forest. The stream soon goes through private land in Fritham & so I re-join it at the Southern end of the village as it passes by the South Bentley Inclosure.
The next section is fairly straight forward as it is easy to follow the stream as it passes by Anses Wood, Holly Hatch Inclosure & Broomy Inclosure.
At Woodford Bottom I have to make a short detour away from the stream to bypass private land and re-join it again at the foot of Great Bottom.
However, the course of the stream then passes through Linwood Bog …. which is impossible to walk through! So I take another detour (passing by The Red Shoot Inn) and follow the road to Moyles Court. I was able to follow a footpath back to the Dockens Water before Moyles Court but I soon had to return to the road as once again I came across bog.
After a quick stop at the sandpit at Rockford (for Logan to have a run), I picked up the Dockens Water one more time at Moyles Court and followed it out of the New Forest National Park to the edge of the Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Whilst the Dockens Water continues on, through the lakes, under the Ringwood to Fordingbridge road and on to the water meadows beyond Blashford Farm and finally into the River Avon - much of that remaining course is on private land.
So I finished my journey (to follow the course of the stream) at the Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve and headed back to Rockford to my final destination - The Alice Lisle pub.
I would not recommend trying to follow the entire course of the Dockens Water due to A) sections of bog & B) sections of private land. However, I certainly would recommend a circular walk from the Royal Oak pub at Fritham to the High Corner Inn (just beyond Woodford Bottom) and back (making a roughly 6 mile walk).
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
Music by Original Spruce (Copyright owner). Permission for me to use this track has been given to me by the copyright owner. 2022. Tracks (in order of appearance in the video): 1) Pembrokeshire, 2) Eko Eko, 3) Marching The Moors, 4) Open The g, 5) No Time For Lillies, 6) Nicely Stone, 7) Pembrokeshire, 8) Martin Down & 9) Marching The Moors . (To download these tracks & other music by Original Spruce go to: spruce1.bandca... NB; The track for the “Zoomies” was not by Original Spruce.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@decimustv4257]

I am very impressed with your videos. Best walking videos I have seen on KZbin so far

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for your kind comments.

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

One of my favourite spots in the Forest - thanks for the magical walk Dave. The lttle white flowers would probably have been Water Crowfoot. Very beautiful and a sure sign of clean, free flowing water! John

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for the plant identification John - I wasn't sure what it was!

[@craigmarsh3221]

Good evening Dave such a very enjoyable video superb scenery and views and two lovely pubs

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Craig. That first pub came just at the right time in the walk!

[@Clinton-p7z]

That was a really nice walk through the New Forest with its glorious surrounding countryside Dave. One again i was struck by those beautiful country houses and few mansions. It really is paradise in that part of the country. That was a nice quotation you read from that book. Incidentally, correct me if I'm wrong Dave, but i'm sure Jack said he once lived in the New Forest, as i remember him mentioning it way back, when he was being interviewed in his shed, or when he was out on his walks. Thanks all the same to you, and your loyal companion Logan.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Jack Hargreaves did live in the New Forest at one stage before moving to Belchalwell in Dorset.

[@gregtickle9356]

Dave - I really appreciate all the research you do. Love the quotations from the book...information and insight from almost 100 years ago is so informing. Following a stream and watching it grow...nice. I plan on visiting some of your walk locations very soon.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Greg. I hope that you have good weather when you visit. Thanks for watching.

[@eldred1809]

Dave, oh Dave, oh Dave, "one of the best pubs in Hampshire" at the START of the walk (major error 1), the High Corner "re-opens tomorrow" (major error 2), slapdash Dave! Seeing the Red Shoot and mentioning the High Corner brought back distant memories, not been to the Royal Oak or the Alice Lisle though, I really must get out more. Great work as usual.

[@DaveFord]

Hoping to do a walk some time where I start "early" and finish up for a late breakfast at the High Corner .... so looking forward to see what the changes are like! The Royal Oak is certainly worth a visit .... quite small inside but it does serve Ringwood Best.

[@jeanblemings5352]

Wow what a fascinating adventure. Logan looked quite bushed at the end. Too much sandpit and squirrel excitement!! Loved the readings.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. It was a long walk but Logan simply had to visit his favourite part of the New Forest near the end!

[@beejoyful7679]

Thanks for a lovely walk with Logan. I enjoyed the readings very much. Such beauty is a treat for our souls.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Joan's book is such a lovely read.

[@markshrimpton3138]

I enjoyed you dipping into Joan Begbie’s book as it brought back memories. My father, now 96, has, or had, an original copy in his house in Southampton.

[@DaveFord]

I love her style of prose.

[@blueybarnes9442]

The Oak at Fritham has a great pint of Ringwood 49’er

[@DaveFord]

I popped in to the Royal Oak at Fritham on Wednesday (18th Sept). Sadly they no longer appear to stock 49'er or indeed any of the old "Ringwood" bitters ..... I had to make do with a pint of Flacks instead!

[@blueybarnes9442]

@@DaveFord that’s a shame Dave , I quite fancied wetting my whistle 🍻🍺…cheers and thanks for the memories from an ex new forest 🌳 lad 🙏

[@excession3076]

Linwood Bog was mentioned by the Romans because it was quite a barrier to progressing North alongside the Avon. It originally would have spread right the way down to the bank of the river. The water is brown/orange from the peat in the bog, not from iron.

[@DaveFord]

This is an interesting article about streams in the New Forest. core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228601211.pdf

[@leerendell9403]

Dave that book has it got an ISBN number so I can order a copy from my wife's bookshop Devizes books where she works?? Good film too thanks!!!

[@DaveFord]

Hi Lee. The ISBN is 9781446543559. Available still on Amazon I believe - a re-published paperback but uses the original text and artwork.

[@rogerwilkes9704]

Surprisingly different- this walk, fine as usual- it does get one thinking non circular walks does it not( great for us bus passer's. Really enjoyed this one, with its "twists n turns"!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Roger. Yes, these "linear" walks do provide an extra challenge for sure!

[@GaryWaldronUK]

Hi. I love this area, thank you for the video. Did you mean to say and to write in the description a walk from The Roal Oak to the High Corner Inn? You said the High Post and I cant find that?

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Gary. Thanks for spotting the error - I hadn't noticed it after the editing process! A case of not concentrating on what I was saying & getting my pub names mixed up. Sorry, I meant to say High Corner Inn and not High Post. I will edit the video and cut that bit out as it certainly will confuse folk if I leave it in. Thanks for watching.

[@Allegro-wp8xf]

Great atmospheric videos! Just come back from a holiday in the New Forest. Nice to reminisce.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I hope that you enjoyed your holiday.

[@jonwilmot5331]

Very good Dave, watch the beers, your doctor will note you as a binge drinker !

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jon. Fortunately I only average a couple of pints a week!

[@hannureittu4310]

Well deserved pints! Thanks for another great walk!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Hannu. :)

[@paulaastridge3329]

Thank you both

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Paula. :)

[@blueybarnes9442]

Eyesworth Pond is nice

[@DaveFord]

Yes indeed ..... one of my favourite spots in the New Forest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4XPaXybqtaUpKc

[@blueybarnes9442]

@@DaveFord thanks for the link 🔗. Used go rambling around down there during pannage to see the pigs munching on the acorns 😄

[@catherineshipley5799]

Beautiful

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Catherine. :)

[@michaelfinch2937]

Thank you again for taking us along on your rambles.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Michael & indeed thanks for watching.

[@newforestexplorer]

Two pints ! Steady on Dave lol !

[@DaveFord]

Well ..... I wasn't driving so I though that I would take advantage!

[@newforestexplorer]

@@DaveFord Of course why not 👍🏻

[@matthewpritchard8156]

COULD YOU FOLLOW THE BROOK ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE

[@DaveFord]

Most of the course of the Dockens Water is through "Open Forest" with no footpath etc. Just looked up the New Forest National Park website to check the current guidelines and it advises that "You can cycle on public roads, byways open to all traffic, public bridleways, restricted bridleways, and dedicated New Forest cycle routes. You are not permitted to ride over the Open Forest, or on Forestry England tracks which are not dedicated cycle routes. Cycling on public footpaths is also not permitted". There is a good dedicated cycle route, nearby, through Broomy Inclosure & Milkham Inclosure . Hope that helps? Thanks for watching.

[@henrybrain4069]

great video contemplating trying to kayak it with all these floods.

[@DaveFord]

It will certainly be in full flow at the moment!

[@henrybrain4069]

@@DaveFord do you think from fritham too the rockford sand pit would be navigable?

[@DaveFord]

@@henrybrain4069 No it is not navigable. The stream is quite shallow. After heavy rain, the water basically floods and "spreads out" so it just becomes wider.

[@LisaStuart-u5h]

Just a little bit in love with Logan ❤️

[@DaveFord]

He is a good lad!

[@mattphillips9107]

Wonderful, thanks again Dave and Logan for a smashing walk 😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Matt. :)

[@keithjoseph5671]

Amazing walking tour of new forest national park with stunning views

[@DaveFord]

Many thanks Keith.

[@martincannon1078]

We really enjoyed this wonderful, peaceful walk with you and Logan. Away from the horrors of today's world. Talking of Logan Dave have you ever thought of going up to Scotland and taking a flight to the islands on Logan Air. I am sure you would be well taken care of. 🛩

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Martin. Well, going on an aircraft would certainly be different! Logan has been on a ferry and a steam train but that might be too adventurous even for him! Thanks for watching.

[@AnyoneForToast]

Thank you Mr Logan, I've not walked Dockens before so that was interesting. Your historical research was as on point as ever. Thanks for dragging yer mate Dave around that one. Woof Woof.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. The first section - from Fritham to near High Post Inn - makes for a lovely walk in particular.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Another beautiful day in the New Forest for you both. Everything is looking green and the slightly brown water creates the perfect contrast with the dappled trees illuminating it. Two pubs on this walk. Don't overdo things!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. I wasn't sure exactly how much of the course I could actually follow so it made for an interesting journey!

[@Originalspruce]

A really enjoyable watch Dave and quite an explore. Some beautiful scenery. The readings really added something to the video! Thank you to both of you once again.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Mark.

[@melissaphillips3088]

Dave you and Logan are just wonderful guides . Lovely walk and I learned so much about this beautiful area. Thank you both and have a nice weekend.☀️

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Melissa. It is always fun exploring the course of these New Forest streams - you never know how the walk turns out!

[@melissaphillips3088]

@@DaveFord that is the beauty of your walks through the countryside . You never know what you might see or find out. History is a beautiful thing.

[@jhnshearn51]

That really was once again a cracker of a walk and video, many thanks to you Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Some of these New Forest streams can be quite enchanting to follow ... in the Summer months!

[@walthamwalker]

Great walk Dave lovely and relaxing

[@DaveFord]

Thank you and indeed thanks for watching.

[@geoffw8565]

Dave, that was a lovely journey !

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Geoff.

[@colincocks1335]

Love your walks

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Colin & indeed thanks for watching.