Pig Bush, Bishop's Dyke, Woodfidley Passage and Beaulieu Road Station

Marsh gentians thrive here, as does the decorative royal fern. This is an area that is rich in birdlife and specially good for birds of prey. In winter you may glimpse a white male hen harrier, wings spread to display its dark wing tips as it glides, searching out its prey.

The low bank and ditch that you follow throughout most of this walk is Bishop's Dyke. The dyke encompasses an area of the New Forest of about 500 acres. Legend has it that the bank and ditches were built by John of Pontoise, Bishop of Winchester, around 1284.

He was given permission to enclose an area that he could crawl around in a day. We are told that, in order to obtain the largest possible piece of land, he spent 24 hours crawling or along the ground.

After crossing the dyke for the first time, you drop down to an area of wetland where species of insectivorous plants, bog sphodel and cotton grass, can be seen.

Before crossing the railway, you skirt Frame Heath Inclosure. This wood is home to sika deer. Sika, similar to red deer, but smaller, are now endangered in their natural habitat in the far east. They were first imported in 1860. Some animals were obtained by Lord Montague of nearby Beaulieu. Later, some escaped into the forest, and their descendants are found south of this railway line.

By the railway bridge, there is a small enclosure. This is a pony pound. Each pony is branded and wormed, and has its tail cut, then it is released or goes to the pony sales. Beaulieu Pony Sale held four times per year, between 80-100 New Forest Ponies.

There are opportunies for refreshments at Beaulieu Road Station, either at The Drift Inn or at The Beaulieu Inn. Both establishments are very popular in the summer months.

From here, it is a short and pleasant walk via Stephill Bottom and Furzy Brow, back to the starting point at Pig Bush car park.