This is another video in my series “New Forest Walks” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode, I visit the Fritham in the North of the Forest (about halfway between Fordingbridge in the West & Cadnam in the East) and explore the surrounding area.
I park my car at the Forestry Commission car park on the edge of the village and start my 5.5 mile circular route by heading north to the beautiful Eyeworth pond. The pond was originally made in the late 1800's to provide water for a gunpowder factory which closed in the 1920's.
After exploring the Irons Well at the end of the pond I follow a gravel track up towards Longcross Plain to another pond that is popular with ponies & cattle. I get to see some lovely young donkeys before heading further North to Pipers Wait - the highest point in the New Forest.
My journey then takes me Westwards, following the old New Forest boundary (also the Hampshire / Wiltshire boundary) alongside Franchises Wood until I get to Bramshaw Telegraph. There, after investigating a natural spring and passing near the source of the Latchmore Brook, I head South through the wonderful Eyeworth Wood and back to Fritham.
Note: A number of sources on the internet, including Wikipedia & Historic England, suggest that Fritham lodge dates back to 1671 (as I indicate in the video). However I see that in the photograph that I have put up in the video of the plaque below the gable on the house (which looks recently painted & refurbished) gives a date of 1635.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
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I use a GOPRO HERO 7 or 8 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.