The New Forest National Park is a popular destination for holiday makers and day trippers who visit to enjoy the scenery, nature and free roaming cattle, pigs and horses. Of course most visitors head to the popular car parks and around these, paths can get a bit busy.

Off the beaten track however, peace and quiet can be found along with superb views from Hampton Ridge. Meeting in the village of Frogham the route joins the ridge for a gentle climb to the top from where on a clear day you can see for miles. After the flat top section we descend into the woods at Amberwood Inclosure and the another short climb up to Fritham.

Next the route runs across Fritham Plain and then enters Holly Hatch Inclosure before reaching the Splash Bridge. A gentle sandy climb to Hallickshole Hill before turning into Sloden and the Alderhill Incloures. One more steep climb back onto Hampton Ridge and a retrace of the early part of the route, flat and downhill….mostly!

Refreshment will be in the Foresters Arms known locally as the donkey pub. But recently it's been spruced up, given a stylish, rustic and rather chic update, and painted muted shades of dappled woodland greens.

The look is comfortably eclectic - a mix of tartan and exposed brickwork, antlers and lampstands, in-vogue character cushions of Geisha faces and traditional pews, old pine tables and auction finds. Think it sounds dandy-meets-country? Well, it is!