NEW FOREST WALK at STUCKTON & BLISSFORD (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK) (4K)

In this episode of my series “ New Forest Walks” I explore around the village of Stuckton which is located on the Western edge of the New Forest (about a mile South East of Fordingbridge). Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
I start my 4.5 mile walk at the Fordingbridge Cemetery (a few hundred yards to the North West of Stuckton) and passing the entrance to the Fordingbridge Bowls Club I head along a footpath to the South - eventually making my way to Stuckton via an old Smuggling route.
After wandering through the village (checking out the old Iron Foundry & Congregational Chapel), I head out along a tranquil valley towards the village of Blissford. The route takes me over Ditchend Brook and past The Merrie Thought house and along an old Drover's route now called Broadhill Lane.
At Blissford, I cross the ford and head back South following the course of the Ditchend Brook. I pass by the old Watercress beds and the area that was once the location of the Blissford Smallpox Hospital in the early 1900's (now long gone) before returning to my starting point at Stuckton.
I finish my walk with light refreshments at The Three Lions pub in Stuckton.
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) Nicely Stone, 4) Open The G, 5) Martin Down & 6) No Time For Lillies To download these tracks & other music by Original Spruce go to spruce1.bandcamp.com/album/fi...
For further videos in the series, please go to: kzbin.info/door/P-PdocpLbbVj_2E4VxeU_w or my website at daveford5966.wixsite.com/website
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.

[@Originalspruce]

A perfect peaceful start to a Tuesday morning Dave. Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Mark. Your music really does fit in well with the New Forest.

[@melissaphillips3088]

Dave this was such a marvelous walk. I learn so much history from your walks. It is a true pleasure to see these lovely places . Thanks Dave and give Logan a special treat for being such a good boy. 👏🏻

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Melissa. It was a lovely area to explore for sure.

[@keithjoseph5671]

Beautiful countryside as always with stunning view

[@DaveFord]

Many thanks Keith.

[@VisionAssoc]

What a beautiful walk, full of interest too. I hadn’t heard of the painter before, off to find out more about him….May walk either the King’s Somborne or Mottisfont Bear & Ragged walk tomorrow, I’m spoilt for choice. Thank you Dave and Logan for your wonderful channel 😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Looks like you should have good weather tomorrow for whichever walk you decide to do.

[@peterfrost3723]

A very interesting walk Dave. It certainly pay to look at old maps in conjunction with your walks, so much good history. I wonder what that watercress tasted like, it would be very irony. Thanks Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. I would love to find out more about how the Watercress Bed was set up. The maps of the late 1800's show where the water flowed OUT into the Brook but it is not clear how the water entered the bed (I am guessing that it needed flowing water! but I am no expert!).

[@angelanewman5566]

Thanks Dave. So lovely to look back on a warm summer's day now it's starting to turn colder. I wonder if Juliette de B Levy used to walk that way when she used to walk into Fordingbridge from Abbotswell. I remember her writing about knowing Augustus John.

[@DaveFord]

Juliette certainly mentioned eating cress from those watercress beds so they may well have still been operational (or abandoned / left to run wild?), albeit at a reduced level, in the 1950's. I just cannot seem to find much more information on their history though which is a shame.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Many villages are full of house names which tell you what the original use was. But I suspect many older residents would rather they were still Post offices, dairies and bakeries, instead of having to travel miles by car for those essential services. Wouldn’t imagine there is any bus service in that area! Interesting piece about the watercress beds. I too, wouldn’t expect to find one in that area, in fact, I don’t recall any beds within the New Forest. Hope you and Logan enjoyed your drink in that rather nice looking pub.

[@DaveFord]

I would love to know more about those watercress beds! Yes, Logan & I always look forward to a drink at a pub - the best way to end a walk!

[@cornwall_in_Squares]

Brilliant video part of the New Forest I've never explored, lots of interesting information really helps and inspires to get out there and follow in your footsteps. Enjoy your pint.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. There was certainly a lot to see around there - well worth an exploration! Thanks for watching.

[@jeanblemings5352]

I am always astounded how much interest and history you find in the smallest of hamlets and surrounding area and this offering certainly did not disappoint!! I loved the deer with the flickering ears too - lovely scene to capture. Logan did a fantastic leap for the ball at one point and was definitely on squirrel alert I think in that wooded part of walk with bracken. Thanks again for taking us along on your travels. Super enjoyable!!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. For such a tiny village, there was a lot of history to explore there for sure!

[@rachelt-s]

Fantastic Dave. You do pack so much knowledge into these videos. I grew up in the new forest so I know these areas fairly well. There's so much to explore and once again you enjoyed great weather. Keep up the brilliant work. Many Thanks.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Rachel. I was surprised as to how much history there was on walk!

[@lambrettascooter]

Hi , we did your walk today! Very good one . Being a builder, I was interested in the story surrounding Blessing Hill Cottage. We read the notice on gate ! I know how tricky it can be dealing with planning and building inspectors 🤣 I noticed you didn’t mention in your film as I think you might live in New Forest and probably didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Anyway, very enjoyable walk ! Thanks

[@DaveFord]

Looks like you had good weather for your walk. Yes, I did spot the signs about a cottage in Broadhill Lane and wasn't too sure about the history of the "issues" so though it best not to mention it!