NEW FOREST WALK : CASTLEMAN'S CORKSCREW DISUSED RAILWAY LINE (NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK)

This is another video in my series “New Forest Walks” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode I undertake a linear route following a section of the line of a disused railway track (part of the “Castleman's Corkscrew line” ) that runs from just South of Brockenhurst to the edge of the New Forest boundary in the West.
The Southampton & Dorchester Railway Company was formed in 1845 with the objective to build an extension of the existing London to Southampton railway line (which had been built in 1840 by the London & South Western Railway Company) all the way across the New Forest & on to Dorchester.
It was promoted by Charles Castleman - a solicitor in Wimborne - and it got it's “corkscrew” nickname due to the winding nature of the route. The entire line ran for 60 miles and opened in 1847 & whilst it passed through places such as Brockenhurst & Ringwood, it missed out on Christchurch & Bournemouth (which was little more than a fishing village at the time).
In 1888, a new line was opened from Brockenhurst that went South through the New Forest taking in Sway, Christchurch, Bournemouth & going on to Dorchester. The line from Brockenhurst to Ringwood was thus relegated to just a branch line & was closed in the 1960's.
My task was to see how much of the disused track I could still walk on the section from Lymington Junction (where the old track diverted away West from Brockenhurst) to the New Forest boundary.
Along the way (6 miles or so), I came across plenty of evidence relating to the old railway, a few surprises and some stunning scenery.
There are plenty of opportunities to walk sections of the track (ie walk along the track one way & come back over heathland, parallel to the track, the other way) as well us numerous car parks along the route (which I point out in the walk).
Even if you are not interested in old railway lines, this is a lovely walk to do (you will not get lost & the track is firm with no mud) and you have the flexibility of deciding how much of the route to do.
Logan & I certainly had a lot of fun doing the walk & making the video ….. we hope you enjoy watching it.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.wixsite.com/website
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7 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.

[@mazfb9240]

This was fabulous Dave. I have (horse)ridden along and around so much of your walk so great to see it from another perspective. You have brought back really happy memories for me so thankyou.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you & indeed thanks for watching.

[@sarahwinfield3989]

Thanks so much for your walk. I was a sales peron until I retired and covered the area quite extensively. I often thought about the old railway and what remains of it. You have done me a service, thanks again.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Sarah. :)

[@HelenHetherington-kh8gj]

Looks fantastic.Will certainly have to visit again.

[@DaveFord]

That route makes for a super walk Helen. Hope the weather is great for your next visit.

[@keithjoseph5671]

Stunning walk in the countryside

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Keith. A lot of history along that route for sure!

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

At Holmsley, I thought the station was a actually alongside the tea rooms and not further to the west where you found the platform. Where you actually walk, the trackbed looked well maintained, but as you told me once before, the drains have failed in other spots. I called at Holmsley tea rooms some years ago, when it must have been either 100 or 150 years since the line was first built. The station was full of wonderful photos and memorabilia to do with the line.. What I like about you Dave, is that you always reply to my comments, for which I am very grateful.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. The tea rooms are always worth a visit when in that part of the New Forest. Logan likes it because they have "complimentary" dog biscuits in a bowl on the counter!

[@roseybut]

Thanks Dave very interesting walk. Shame all the old railway related buildings were demolished.

[@DaveFord]

Yes indeed. Still a few bits of evidence to explore - and having a track to follow does mean that you are not going to get lost!

[@craigmarsh3221]

Hi Dave another fantastic video fantastic views great to find out the history of the old railways brilliant stuff.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Craig. There is still so much evidence of the history of the old railway line that is still there to see combined with great views of the countryside.

[@CyrusHavoc]

Longslade is one of my favourite parts of the New Forest & great for ordinary dog walks. I have walked sections of the railway but it’s good to see the whole thing. Going to visit the New Forest in the autumn been over two years since our last visit, I can’t wait!

[@DaveFord]

The fact that the track bed is a hard surface means it is not "too" muddy and so makes it a good all year round walking route.

[@alcollins5179]

Fascinating walk through the New Forest. Thank you and love to the Logan.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Al and indeed thank you for watching.

[@cathpeterson1944]

nice walk along the old rail line in beautiful countryside

[@DaveFord]

It is a great walk along there Cath - no chance of getting lost!

[@jordansymmons9809]

Hiya I've also done one of your walks yesterday at R.A.F Homsley South and I really enjoyed it. As you said in your video you can still see some trace of the runway and the old Taxi ranks where the planes taken off from..

[@DaveFord]

Glad you enjoyed your walk at Holmsley. If you haven't already done so, do check out the RAF Beaulieu site - there is plenty still to see there. Cheers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKqkqqlufZlpZqs

[@piplee1439]

I had friends who lived in a level crossing building in Burley area.

[@DaveFord]

Cater's Crossing - a Gatekeeper's Cottage - that is located not far from the Lymington Junction (& is now a residential property) is a fine example of the many similar cottages that were on the route.

[@nutwood5137]

What happy memories you awake, i went to school at Brockenhurst (supposedly the largest Grammar School in those days) on a special 13? carriage mainline steam train each day and so i well remember seeing the 'Ringo' and the 'Lymo' lines also bringing 3? and 2? carriages full of school colleagues into the station at Brockenhurst. There were so many of us that we had to be 'herded' by prefects through the station to the short walk to the school. Very privileged schooldays from beach to forest and back every day.

[@DaveFord]

What lovely memories. Such a shame that the line still isn't in use today.

[@piplee1439]

My uncle boarded the train at Ashley Heath every morning for Brock Grammar . The miserable old git.

[@davidpriddle9236]

I also travelled to school to and from Ringwood in1960/61. Usually 6 coaches, but sometimes only 4 or 5. Walked most of the old trackbed from near Brock to Ringwood on a return visit to the UK in 2004 - except for the closed section of course.

[@piplee1439]

You’ve just walked through my life ….. born in Fordingbridge, bought up In Blissford and North Gorley and Godshill and Downton and on and on….. A shame they closed it but if it was still running stock, it wouldn’t have the fascination. Thanks xx

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It is great that there is still some evidence still there - acting as a reminder of days gone by.

[@piplee1439]

My father, aunts and uncles used the line to school in Ringwood and Brockenhurst

[@Ed-vh5fn]

Just discovered you're chanele amazing walks you go on. Atb Ed

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Ed. Welcome to the channel and thanks for watching.

[@cerulyse]

I have cycled along here many times over the years but never knew so much history. the new house there was totally vandalised a few years back.

[@DaveFord]

Sad news about that house Simon. It is very isolated there so I guess it would be a "soft" target - a shame nonetheless.

[@piplee1439]

Typical of 21C

[@christinegibbins6105]

Thank you Logan and Dave, lovely part of the forest. Take care.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Christine and indeed thank you for watching.

[@chrissweeney1827]

Hi, I think we passed each other on Copythorne Common this morning. I didn’t realise it was you until after we had passed. I do enjoy your videos of New Forest Walks.

[@DaveFord]

Hi Chris. Yes indeed - that was me & Logan ... out filming a video walk around Copythorne & Newbridge. I think you were the only other dog walker I met out on the walk today! It was certainly hot out there!

[@babyeater2011]

Loved it as always - thank you. Working from home in central London, your videos are excellent company.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit the area some time. Thanks for watching.

[@peterfrost5475]

A very well explained walk with lots of good railway history. It was a pity that they did not pull that crossing house down that looks so out of place on the road I know a bit about its planning history. Many thanks.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. Yes I know what you mean about that house by the crossing. The old crossing building was certainly "replaced by something completely different", that is for sure!

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

Another enjoyable walk with you thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Dave & indeed thank you for watching.

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

Did this walk today well in 💪

[@DaveFord]

I hope you enjoyed you walk and had good weather.

[@Woodentops1]

Fab walk Dave Thank you. Have you thought of walking some of the S and D tracks? Jeff

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jeff. I have only walked very small sections of it (eg at Shillingston on my Hambledon Hill walk) but it is certainly a great idea for a future outing. Thanks for watching.

[@suewright1299]

That was so very beautiful and extremely informative, as always thanks so very much Dave. I truly adore your walks, I ‘almost’ feel as though I’ve walked them myself. Hubby tells me he’s in the middle of watching you with the Bald Explorer, and you were ….wearing a shirt and TIE!! I must have a look at that too. Very many thanks Dave and love to Logan ❤️

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Sue. That was quite a long walk for us but there was a lot to cover & we really enjoyed exploring the old line. Ah yes ..the Bald Explorer.. that was a year or two ago (I think I was trying to look smart that day!).

[@teaandtrails]

Great walk with great scenery, thanks for sharing 👍

[@DaveFord]

Thanks and indeed thank you for watching.

[@mrsTimmyFranklin]

love old railway routes, definitely want to try this one from holmsley, done brock to wooton. my mum and i have been doing heaps of walks at wilverley, going out across the plane doing different tracks and the other week ending up over by rhinefield house, it was just through the trees that we walked by, someone told us then the following week i spotted windows through the trees, i think i was looking for squirrels, spotted the building by accident, didnt know it was that nearby

[@DaveFord]

There is certainly plenty to see & explore in the New Forest, that is for sure! Thank you for watching.

[@drewski363]

Nice one, Dave and Logan

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Andy :)

[@markmcpherson7956]

Brill walk ty

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Mark. :)

[@ianluke3326]

Very interesting walk Dave. I’ve spent some time investigating some of the other walking/cycling routes locally that follow disused railway lines. The one that runs through the Meon Valley in Hampshire is also interesting historically and has some lovely scenery to enjoy along the way.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Ian. Yes, I would love to walk the entire Meon Valley Trail some time (I have done small parts of it). Thanks for watching.

[@jerryatric1106]

Superb films Dave, cycled this line Lymington Junction to Broadstone about 1983, it was just possible then before the trees took hold, we even met a couple of retired crossing keepers still in their railway cottages near Ringwood with some great rail tales. Can you tell me please, which gopro do you use, its so clear, I have a gopro 4 film on youtube but not as good as yours. Best wishes to you and Logan

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I use a Gopro 7 & film in 4K. I recently bought a Gopro 8 but have found that the image stabilization struggles a bit when I am filing standing still so I have gone back to using the Gopro 7 (as used in this film). I find that provided I keep the camera just reasonable steady then I can get by without using a gimbal. As with all Gopros (and indeed all small action cameras), they don't perform too well in low light conditions!

[@jerryatric1106]

@@DaveFord thank you for the information, i'll have a look at the 7.

[@andyhiggs6932]

Just did this lovely walk the other week! May I ask where you came across the old footage of the steam engine you feature at 10'58"? Also you say it's B&W although it looks faintly colourised to me?

[@DaveFord]

Glad that you got to do the walk. This video was made last year but I cannot remember where I got the footage from (although I should have the details somewhere as I had to request to use the clip - I will search further). As you say, it does look colourised rather than black & white. Sometimes when I am out "in the field" I say things incorrectly and then correct the mistake with a text message on screen but , alas, this one slipped through the net! Thanks for watching.

[@andyhiggs6932]

@@DaveFord Thanks for replying! Amazing to see the train racing across the New Forest. I had wrongly assumed the line was taken up for scrap during the war. I was surprised to read it was running as late as 1964!