Blackwater Arboretum and the Tall Trees Trail
Lyndhurst, New Forest
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0
A small arboretum of trees from around the world on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, cared for by Forestry England. A short sensory loop with tactile sculptures winds through the arboretum, and the Tall Trees Trail crosses the road to walk beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in Victorian times.
Highlights
- Blackwater Arboretum trail, a 15-minute loop with seed sculptures
- Tall Trees Trail, 1.5 miles under Victorian Douglas firs
- Giant redwoods, the biggest trees in the New Forest
- Picnic area by the car park
- Cycle trails along the Ornamental Drive
Good to know
- BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment are banned
- Toilets are open on a one-in-one-out basis
- Take litter home rather than leaving bags beside full bins, as they harm ponies and wildlife
Getting there
Blackwater Arboretum and the Tall Trees Trail, Blackwater car park, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, near Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QBParking: Blackwater car park is about half a mile along Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, off the A35. It is not suitable for coaches. If it is full, drive on to Whitefield Moor.
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More things to do in Lyndhurst
Nearby
Blackwater and the Tall Trees Trail, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
A Forestry England arboretum on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, where the 1.5-mile Tall Trees Trail runs beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in the reign of Queen Victoria. An easy arboretum trail and a sensory sculpture trail start from the same car park.
Cyclexperience Bike Hire, Brockenhurst
A bike hire centre in the car park on the south side of Brockenhurst station, at the bottom of the ramp, with trails starting within about 500 metres. Bikes range from children's sizes and tagalongs to gravel bikes, tandems and e-bikes, so families can ride the New Forest's waymarked network together.
Photo: Stuart Logan, CC BY-SA 2.0Bolderwood
A Forestry England site on an old coaching route west of Lyndhurst, with some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the New Forest, the earliest dating to about 1860. Three waymarked circular trails lead from the car park through ancient and ornamental woodland, and the longest passes a deer viewing platform where fallow deer are often seen.