Upperford Copse
On this walk, children will enjoy exploring the woodland, making shelters from branches or spotting wildflowers in Spring.
Bluebells fill Upperford Copse in spring
The Basics
Time: 25 minutes (see below for extensions)
Distance: 1.4 km/ 0.9 miles
Terrain: Even and flat woodland paths.
Pushchair: Pushchairs should be able to make it around.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome.
Refreshments: There are a couple of picnic benches, but you could also easily walk to The Rocebuck Inn, an Indian gastro pub.
Toilets: There are no public toilets.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Large pay and display car park which you will need coins or Ringo for (Postcode: PO17 6AY - W3W: ///stews.moods.piled)
The copse is small and easy to find your way around
Part of The Forest of Bere, Upperford Copse is one of the best places in Hampshire to see bluebells in the Spring. This short and easy walk will circumnavigate the copse. It is also well connected to the wider Forest of Bere or The Meon Valley Trail, so take a look at our extension options if you want to explore further.
The Route
A basic short walk around Upperford Copse:
With your back to the entrance, take the first path on your left, just before the picnic table. This will head slightly downhill to the first corner, then bear right.
Continue with the road on your left and stay on the same path. You will pass an old railway bridge off in the trees to your left.
Continue, passing the railway bridge, until you come to a meeting of a few paths. Take the left hand path.
Soon, you will spy another bridge. Go right here, slightly up hill, and continue with the road to your left until you can’t ascend any further. Turn right at this point and walk with the road to your left back to the car park.
Extend your walk to The Roebuck Inn:
When you spot the railway bridge in step 2 above, join the Meon Valley multi use trail by turning left. When the trail is intersected by a lane, turn left and walk along the lane to the pub.
Extend your walk to West Walk:
As you return to the car park in step 4 above, look for the path that leads out of Upperford Copse to Heath Road. Cross the road into Woodend car park. From here, you can follow the main path south through this larger tract of woodland. You can continue along the Pilgrim’s Trail to the main West Walk car park where there is a play area, toilets and Mimi Make’s coffee and cake trailer. This will take 40 minutes each way.
Extend your walk to Wickham Water Meadows:
When you spot the railway bridge in step 2 above, you can join the Meon Valley Trail, a multi use path formed from the old railway track. Turning left along the trail in a south-westerly direction will bring you to Wickham, where there is a popular paddling/swimming and picnicking spot beside the River Meon. Look for the steps down to the river on your right. This will take 45 minutes one way.
When you spot the railway bridge in step 2 above, you can join the Meon Valley Trail, a multi use path formed from the old railway track. Turning right along the trail in a north-easterly direction will bring you to Soberton. You will need to leave the trail via the steps to your left at an old railway bridge as you come near the village. You can walk along the river to St. Clair’s Meadow, a pretty nature reserve by the river, or you can walk up to the village and The White Lion pub. This will take 1 hour each way.
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Did you know?
The bluebell's Latin name, Hyacinthoides, comes from a Greek myth: when the Prince Hyacinthus died, the tears of the god Apollo spelled the word 'alas' on the petals of the hyacinth flower that sprang up from his blood.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this walk at Chawton Park Wood where you will also find bluebells.
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