Canada - Penn Common - Stagbury Hill - Canada

Graham Hollier

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A peaceful walk encompassing quiet roads, forest, common land, farmland and an abundance of wildlife including many species of birds, New Forest ponies, donkeys, deer, pigs, cattle etc all roaming free.

A point of interest when turning off the A36 to Canada Road; just on your right as you leave the A36 are the remains of a wooden cross erected close to the location of the first traffic accident in Wellow. The current cross is a replica and contains a plaque, "Here died William Coupe Walker on the 9th day of February 1911 in the thirty-sixth year of his age".

This walk starts at Canada Common, West Wellow, believed to be so called after a well-travelled gentleman Thomas Becket, who before settling here around 1867 had lived in Canada the country nine years previously. The common is grazed by animals of the New Forest and you walk freely amongst them. The first 0.9 miles are covered over this common land on a metalled road and gravel track. A further 0.4 mile is covered on a quiet metalled road before turning on to Penn Common and then farmland. Local farmers are allowed to release their animals on to this land - it can be quite muddy underfoot as a result in this particular area. When leaving the farmland, we traverse a sunken lane and then a metalled road for about 0.5 mile. For a further 1.08 miles, the walk continues on a very quiet metalled road, leading to Bramshaw Golf Links on your right, affording good views and a large country house, 'Warrens' on your left. There is undulating countryside all around with very peaceful views.

The walk then continues on National Trust land leading to Stagbury Hill, which is a site of archeological interest. If you climb Stagbury Hill, surmounted by an Ordnance Survey trigonometry point, you can see traces of an old roadway 'Cloven Way', so called because of the deeply-cut trenches or traffic ruts that are evident in parts, although much is covered in gorse and heather. From here, there are also excellent views of the surrounding forest land and distant views of Southampton and Southampton Water. From here, we return to the start.

England - South England - Hampshire - New Forest

Features

Great Views, Moor, Mostly Flat, National Trust, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland

7/31/2021 - Peter Morgan

Walked with my wife and three grandchildren (9, 8 and 6) on 29/07/2021 and saw Guinea Fowl, horses, sheep, cows, donkeys and pigs (with piglets) roaming free within the first mile-and-a-half. Picnic areas at start, just before waymark 14 (on side of road) or by bridge (just before waymark 17). Easy route finding; quite a bit of road but circular, varied and flat. What more could you want?

7/9/2020 - Harry Cook

Walked this on an early, drizzly morning. Nonetheless it is a really good walk. Plenty of parking at the start. Gentle and varied through common and woodland it has some sections on the road but on the day I walked there was very little traffic and good verges. Lots of wildlife, and of course ponies, donkeys and other livestock. Only 2 stiles.

10/14/2018 - Andy McTaggart

Revisited this walk on a very warm October afternoon. This is a delightfully relaxing walk and Stagbury Hill is a lovely spot from which to rest your feet, take on water and to enjoy the stunning views. All in all a very restful and peaceful walk with very easy access from the A36. Enjoy and many Thanks to Graham Hollier Andy

10/14/2018 - Andy McTaggart

10/5/2015 - David Yarwood

Completed this walk on a fine dry Indian Summer day, so no problems with mud! The walk is varied and enjoyable. This part of the New Forest is much less frequented and so, to my mind, more pleasurable to walk. Directions excellent but the white mobile home at waypoint 8 is now a red brick house.

6/22/2014 - Matt Wilson

In reference to the previous comment that the Rockingham Arms is now fully open and a lovely pub to visit.

9/23/2013 - Jill Larby

Thank you Graham for this lovely walk, in this beautiful part of the forest. One small point to note - unfortunately the pub, Rockingham Arms has closed.

4/28/2013 - CLAIRE SCAMMELL

This was a really enjoyable route done on one of the warmest days so far this year. There was a fair bit of road walking which was fairly quiet. As mentioned before not very dog friendly as there were stiles which required the dogs lifting over. A lot of farm animals roaming freely which required dogs to be on leads. Overall though easy to follow instructions and great scenery

9/21/2012 - Andy McTaggart

Superb circular within wide open spaces and under big blue skies on one fine September Saturday afternoon. Blissfully tranquil and peaceful, with much to see plus stunning vistas from Stagbury Hill with 360 degree views of the new forest and Southampton Water. An absolute delight and gem of a walk, for which a big thank you to Graham Hollier. If you plan on enjoying this walk after a period of heavy rain fall, be prepared for it to be very wet and boggy underfoot. Best enjoyed after a couple of weeks of dry weather.

9/17/2012 - Andy McTaggart

Big Thanks to Graham Hollier. Enjoyed this one immensely on a beautiful and sunny autumnal afternoon. So near to towns, villages, cities and main roads, this walk is blissfully tranquil and peaceful throughout. Some stunning wide open spaces and big skies on the approach to Stagbury Hill which passes a pond shimmering and glistening in the afternoon sun as dragonflies weave and dance there merry way above it. The vast sprawling vistas from atop of Stagbury Hill top this super circular off. Note of Caution. It would be inadvisable to walk this one after a prolonged period of heavy rain. We enjoyed it after a couple of weeks of dry weather, yet is was still a tad boggy in a couple of places. Enjoy the hospitality of the Rockingham Arms to complete a perfect days outing.

3/22/2012 - Denise Phelps

Beautiful walk, lots of wildlife. The first part is definitely not dog friendly as we had to carry my large lab over 4/5 stiles. Not easy! Quite peaty over the Stagbury Hill area, but fantastic. Lovely lunch at the Rock Inn afterwards.

8/17/2010 - Lyn Lovell

Wonderful walk with really clear instructions. Saw lots of animals including, donkeys, sheep and pigs roaming free. I needed to carry the dogs over two stiles. Views from Stagbury Hill were great.

4/13/2007 - Kate Richards

Two friends and I did this walk on 10/04/07. Very enjoyable, pleasant walk on quiet roads and tracks. Interesting views from Stagbury Hill. Good instructions! Recommended.