Peaceful retreat on the edge of the New Forest

The Dark Water valley through Kings Copse Inclosure is a peaceful retreat on the edge of the New Forest. But its tranquillity belies its proximity to one of Europe's largest oil refineries and the urban development at Holbury and Blackfield.

This stroll over forest roads, tracks, paths and bridleways is not strenuous but some stretches can get particularly muddy after heavy rain.

Start from the 'Dark Water' car park which is best approached from Exbury Road across Blackwell Common to the west of Blackfield. Exbury Road can be found opposite the Hampshire Yeoman public house in Blackfield and the car park is at the top of a short hill just beyond the white railings of Gatewood Bridge on the west edge of the Common.

From the car park return to the road and turn left downhill to cross Gatewood Bridge. As the road bends right just beyond the bridge take the track that scrambles up the embankment on the left. At the top the track splits into two paths. Take the left fork and follow the path around to the left keeping the trees and shrubs on your left. Soon you follow a broad grass track through gorse bushes towards a red brick house.

Continue towards Kings Copse House to reach a gravel track. Turn left on the track to follow it as it passes to the left of the house. After a short distance with a vehicle barrier ahead follow the track around to the right and down through a wooden gate before crossing a small overgrown stream.

The path now climbs alongside a conifer plantation. Ignore a path off to the right through the woods and continue ahead along this peaceful tree lined track as it passes through Kings Copse Inclosure with the Dark Water valley to your left.

(1) At the next junction turn right uphill and away from a footbridge that can be seen on your left. At the top of the hill join another track and bear left. It is not long before a small concrete bridge takes you over the Dark Water. Eventually the track reaches a wooden gate and takes you out of the Inclosure and through a car park. Follow the clear track ahead which serves as the car park access road out to the Holbury-Beaulieu road.

(2)Turn right alongside the road and through the gate beside a cattle grid. Pass Ipers Bridge Farm before reaching the Bridge Tavern.

Beyond the Tavern it is probably safer to walk on the opposite of the road where sight lines are better. Continue uphill beneath National Grid power lines. Just beyond the Holbury sign turn right along the signed bridleway opposite Park Lane.

The rutted track takes you past a house garden before it passes between pastures and beneath the power cables again.

(3)As you approach the gated entrance of a house turn left along the signed bridleway.

This is a pleasant tree lined route but beware after wet weather as the route can be very muddy and it is necessary to take precarious and slippery detours around seemingly bottomless mudholes.

Go through a gate and take the path which branches to the left leaving a house off to your right. Cross over a tarmac lane to follow a pleasant wide grass route which eventually becomes a gravel lane. Although a peaceful spot a glimpse to the left reveals the chimneys and pipework of the Fawley Oil Refinery.

The track reaches a tarmac road with the open heathland of Blackwell Common ahead.

(4) Turn right past 'Red Roofs' and several large houses which share views over the Common.

Tarmac gives way to gravel after the last house and just beyond take the left fork towards two houses.

As you near Kings Copse House again turn left along the path opposite the cycle route sign to retrace your route back through the gorse and down to Gatewood Bridge.