Children will enjoy finding the mystical fairy tree hidden in the woods on this walk as well as a little play area.
Looking out across Curbridge Creek
The Basics
Time: Around 1 hour if starting from Burridge Village Hall and a little more if starting from the Horse and Jockey.
Distance: 3 km if starting from The Horse and Jockey, 2 km if starting from Burridge Village Hall.
Terrain: Uneven woodland paths with some boardwalks and steps. Very muddy in winter.
Pushchair: This route is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk.
Refreshments: The Horse and Jockey pub.
Toilets: There are no public toilets.
Public Transport: First Bus service 28/28A from Fareham stops at The Horse and Jockey (not Sundays).
Parking: The Horse and Jockey car park if using the pub (Postcode: SO30 2HB - W3W: ///composts.internet.scarred) or Burridge Village Hall car park (Postcode: SO31 1BS - W3W: ///improves.screen.plan)
The magical fairy tree in Curbridge Nature Reserve
There is something magical in the woods of this National Trust Nature reserve, near Whitely. As you follow the creek that leads to the River Hamble, look out for the fairy tree and bring an offering to the little folk who reside there. It is possible to start this walk from The Horse and Jockey riverside pub or from Burridge Village Hall, where there is a small play area.
The Route
From The Horse and Jockey pub:
At the end of the car park you will find The National Trust notice boards and the entrance to the nature reserve. Follow the path beside the creek. The path becomes less even as you go but is interspersed with sections of boardwalk. The first fork you come to will give you an option to go right onto a little spur over looking the river. The walk, however, continues straight on.
After about 15 minutes of walking, you will come to the fairy tree adorned with fairy houses and trinkets. Children can bring along small items to hang from the tree as gifts for the fairies, or post the fairies little letters in the post-box. Keep going after the tree over various short boardwalks and some steps.
At the next fork, go left over the wooden bridge. This whole section has some lovely spring flowers in April and May, including bluebells. By sticking to the same path, you will eventually come to another National Trust notice board.
Turn left and walk through an area of newly planted trees. Continue across the full length of this plantation.
At the end of the young trees, fork right towards a phone mast and exit onto a track. Turn right (turn left to the park and a small play area) and head straight down the hill with a meadow on your left. At the bottom of the hill, you will come to a ‘beach’ where the creek widens as it joins the River Hamble proper.
After enjoying the view of the river, turn back up the path and then immediately turn left onto the narrow path that runs directly parallel to the river. Walk with the river down to you left. The path will lead you over intermittent boardwalks before bending up to the right and then left over a footbridge. Continue over more short boardwalks always with the river in view through the trees to your left. After going around a tree, down three steps and over more boardwalk, you will come to some steps with a wooden handrail. Go up the steps and when you come to a T junction, go left.
You should now retrace your steps past the fairy tree back to the pub.
From Burridge Village Hall:
1. Cross the playing field and head to the right of the football pitch. On the opposite side, go through the gap in the hedge by the noticeboard. Follow the National Trust sign for The River Hamble. The sports pavilion will be on your left. Continue down the track in a straight line to the river.
2. After enjoying the view of the river, turn back up the path and then immediately turn left onto the narrow path that runs directly parallel to the river. Walk with the river down to you left. The path will lead you over intermittent boardwalks before bending up to the right and then left over a footbridge. Continue over more short boardwalks always with the river in view through the trees to your left. After going around a tree, down three steps and over more boardwalk, you will come to some steps with a wooden handrail. Go up the steps and when you come to a T junction, go left.
3. This path will take you to the fairy tree where children leave items for the fantasy folk. We suggest bringing some trinkets, flags, bunting, bead strings etc that you can safely secure to the tree and continue the tradition. To walk to the pub, continue straight along the path. To return to your car, turn around and start to retrace your steps.
4. At the fork, go left over the bridge and take the top path this time. This whole section has some lovely spring flowers in April and May, including bluebells. By sticking to the same path, you will eventually come to a National Trust notice board. Here the path ahead has been blocked in an attempt to protect the tree roots being damaged by footfall. A new path has been created instead to the left that goes through an area of newly planted trees. Head across the full length of this plantation.
5. At the end of the saplings, fork left towards a gate. Exit onto the track and nip through the hedge on the other side. Go to the right of the scout hut and you will begin to see the car park coming into view.
Gain access to the member's only area of our website where you will find the complete A-Z library of all our PDF files. This includes over 220 self-guided walks ready to print or download, as well as various children's activity sheets. You will also find a digital membership card, giving you access to our current discounts.
Did you know?
There has been woodland along the River Hamble for hundreds of years which provides habitats for many different species of bird, including greater spotted woodpeckers. The woodland continues to grow to this day as The National Trust recently planted 6000 new trees at the site.
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