Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

the

Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

01.

Overview

The southern end of Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is the sharp bend at the entrance of Rhinefield House, once a private country mansion but now a hotel. The house was built in the second half of the nineteenth century and boasts a huge garden with ornamental ponds, not to mention the idyllic setting.

There are several walks that start and finish from Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, the most popular being the aptly named Tall Trees Trail.
This is a short walk (about 1 1/2 miles) on a level graded gravel track that runs each side, and parallel to, the road. The walk can be started from (and finished at) either Blackwater or Brock Hill car parks and is the perfect way to experience the height of these trees first hand.

A short stroll from Blackwater car park will get you to the Blackwater Arboretum. This is a relatively small area that contains a selection of trees from around the world. The gravel track around the arboretum includes a number of points that encourage you to touch, smell and listen to the sound of certain trees, while a number of wooden benches provide pleasant resting places to soak up the atmosphere.

rhinefield ornamental drive

At about the time of construction many non-native trees were planted along the track leading to the house; 1859 was the main year that many of the trees seen along the Ornamental Drive today were planted.

Trees that can be seen include giant redwoods and Douglas firs. In fact, the two tallest trees of the New Forest are here, a pair of redwoods standing each side of an open grassy ride. In America, redwoods are known to be up to 3000 years old, so at about 150 years old the two found here are mere youngsters!

02.

Getting To Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

The easiest way of entering the Ornamental Drive is from the A35 road, approximately 2 miles west of Lyndhurst. Turn left at the crossroads of Rhinefield and Bolderwood Ornamental Drives, Brock Hill car park is almost immediately on the right with Blackwater car park further down the Drive on the left.
Alternatively, from the western end of Brockenhurst High Street (Brookely Road), turn right after the water splash and just follow the road until you pass Rhinefield House on the left.

See the New Forest National Park satellite view here

Click image below to explore the Rhinefield area using satellite imagery…

 

GPS / SatNav information:
Lat/long: 50.841,-1.621. OS grid ref: SU265045

location map rhinefield
All-Weather Exploration in New Forest

All-Weather Exploration in New Forest

Adventure often means contending with unpredictable weather, from sudden rain showers to chilly, foggy mornings. The weather can change quickly, creating challenges for your outdoor plans and vehicle. Therefore, how should you prepare for an

Read More »
A Guide to Camping, Fishing, and Embracing Nature

A Guide to Camping, Fishing, and Embracing Nature

Venturing into untamed landscapes offers a rare sense of freedom, detaching you from daily routines. Imagine greeting the dawn surrounded by nature’s chorus, enveloped by foliage and open skies, with endless possibilities awaiting your discovery.

Read More »
Cycling Through National Parks

Cycling Through National Parks

Love cycling through national parks? Imagine the soft hum of bike tires on a winding path under blue skies, with the scent of pine needles in the air and a deer glimpsed in the distance!

Read More »
Forest Camping Adventure With Dog

Forest Camping Adventures with Your Dog

Picture taking a spontaneous walk through the wild New Forest with your pet, where every sniff and paw print tells a unique story in nature’s vast manuscript. The New Forest offers beautiful scenery and friendly

Read More »
Charity Events to Take Part in Around the New Forest

Charity Events to Take Part in

Charity Events to Take Part in Around the New Forest    If you are ready to do something good and make a difference in the world, you will be pleased to hear that there are

Read More »

Back to top button