Kickstarter Walking Weekend – The New Forest

Start the year on a high note with a weekend escape to the beautiful New Forest where guided walks, accommodation and new friends are all part of the package.


Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration:
2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 30
Level: Leisurely & Active - a choice of walks will be offered
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Escape to nature in the New Forest National Park. 

  • An ideal break away from city life (just 2 hours from London).  

  • Enjoy meeting others in a laid back environment, so you can relax and relish two nights of home-cooked food.

  • Discover the wonders of easy winter walking with an experienced Large Outdoors guide leading the way.


 

How do we grade our walks?

 

A guided walking weekend in the lovely New Forest that will start you on the right track for a great year ahead.

There’s something special about starting the year as you mean to go on and if that happens to be about discovering more of Britain’s great countryside, walking more or finding new like-minded pals, then happy days read on. 

It might only be a 2-hour drive from London but the New Forest National Park is a world away from city life, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets with its ancient woods and heathland grazed by wild ponies.

With two days of do-able walks in the company of an experienced Large Outdoors guide and a venue which is made for socialising, this weekend will definitely set you up for the year ahead.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Our venue for the weekend is a country house which is now YHA New Forest, on the fringes of the lovely village of Burley. We have exclusive use of the hostel and your Large Outdoors host for the weekend will be there from 5pm to meet and greet participants as they arrive and help them settle in. 

By 8pm the group then sits down to a home-cooked dinner, which ends with the cheeseboard being passed around as people get to know one another. We then outline the plans, including the walks we have in mind, for the weekend. 

Day 2

We have breakfast and then pack up our lunches before donning the walking boots and heading out.

Today we explore the network of flat trails through Bolderwood Arboretum, an extraordinarily beautiful spot with ancient trees and a wild herd of fallow deer that can often be seen from the observation platform.  The walking is generally leisurely in this area, making this ideal for those who want to gain confidence and do more exploring on two feet. 

Once back at Burley, there’s plenty of time for a further stroll through the village, browsing the independent shops or perhaps popping into a café or pub for a pre-dinner drink. 

In the evening we provide another home-cooked dinner, which you can enjoy whilst swapping stories from the day’s walk with fellow participants.

Day 3

After breakfast we pack up our belongings, check out of the hostel and lace up our walking boots once more. Today we have a scenic circuit in mind that will capture all the characteristics of the New Forest including a ridge with spectacular views and hopefully the sight of wild ponies grazing the heathland. 

We end up in Lyndhurst, known as the capital of the New Forest, by virtue of the fact that it is the largest village in the area. With a thriving high street it’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy lunch (not included) with the rest of the group at one of the welcoming cafes and/or enjoy a spot of retail therapy before venturing home.

Please note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Good to Know

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    YHA New Forest
    Cott Lane
    Burley
    Ringwood
    Hampshire
    BH24 4BB

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    Access Information: Sat Nav/Google Maps may take you down a narrow track, please do not follow this. Follow the signs for the YHA instead.

    Parking: There is free parking available at the hostel.

    Public Transport: YHA New Forest is located 7.5 miles from Brockenhurst Train Station, with services to/from London Waterloo and Weymouth.

    Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • You’ll stay at YHA New Forest for this weekend, set within beautiful grounds on the edge of the Hampshire village of Burley. There’s WiFi available. Bedding is provided but please bring a towel and your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    YHA New Forest
    Cott Lane
    Burley
    Ringwood
    Hampshire
    BH24 4BB

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room

    At this hostel there are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

  • Included:

    • 2 nights’ accommodation at YHA New Forest.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3) in the New Forest area.

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not Included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

  • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely to Active - there’ll be a leisurely walk and at least one more active-level walk to choose from each day. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    What transport is provided during this experience?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

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