About Blackwater
This is the best place to experience the majestic Douglas firs and redwoods of the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. You will find some of the tallest and oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain to wonder at as you stroll along the Tall Trees Trail. Have a go at guessing just how tall these famous trees of the New Forest really are from this shady spot. Walk the Tall Trees Trail, take a picnic and wonder at the majesty of two enormous redwoods visible from the path. Stroll around the Sensory trail and really experience trees from around the world in the Blackwater Arboretum.
How to get there:
Blackwater is in New Forest.
By car: from Lyndhurst take the A35 towards Christchurch, two miles out from Lyndhurst turn left into the Rhinefield Drive. Blackwater car park is located on the left hand side, approximately half a mile along the Drive.
Situated north-west of Brockenhurst is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SU 268 047
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info
Other places to go in New Forest
What's on in New Forest
June
- Jubilee Picnic in the Queen's House Gardens Sunday 3 June 2012
- Ashley Walk Explorer Sunday 3 June 2012
- Forest Explorer Pub Walk 2 Tuesday 12 June 2012
- Birdmen, Bleriots & Bombers Saturday 16 June 2012
- Deer Watch at Dusk Tuesday 26 June 2012
Thursday 28 June 2012
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Thursday 5 July 2012 - Commoning Walk Wednesday 27 June 2012
July
- Deer Watch at Dusk Tuesday 26 June 2012
Thursday 28 June 2012
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Thursday 5 July 2012 - Hidden History Wednesday 4 July 2012
- Deer at Bolderwood Tuesday 10 July 2012
Tuesday 17 July 2012 - Step into Summer Tuesday 24 July 2012 to Sunday 2 September 2012
August
- Step into Summer Tuesday 24 July 2012 to Sunday 2 September 2012
- The Corkscrew Railway Wednesday 8 August 2012
- Stoney Cross Airfield: The Story Continues Saturday 11 August 2012
- A Heathland View Thursday 23 August 2012

Facilities:



Activities
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Take a stroll through the nationally important collection of trees in Blackwater Arboretum along our Sensory Trail or walk along the Tall Trees Trail and marvel at the magnificant redwood trees. Tall Trees Trail Arboretum Sensory Trail |
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Take a cycle ride through the inclosure and stop off in Lyndhurst for a while. Or carefully cross the A35 and cycle the Bolderwood Ornamental drive to view the Fallow deer. For more information on cycling in the New Forest Please click on the link below. New Forest Cycle Network |
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The Rhinefield Ornamental drive runs between the A35 and the Rhinefield House Hotel. Continue along the Rhinefield Road and the tall trees and woodland open up in to grassland and heathland. Why not stop off for a picturesque riverside walk at Whitefield Moor or Puttles Bridge. |
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Coarse fishing in the New Forest is available at Hatchet Pond. A Forestry Commission fishing permit is required along with a rod license. For more information on Fishing in the New Forest please click on the link for Coarse Fishing under related pages. |
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Information on camping in the New Forest can be obtained from Forest holidays either by clicking on the Forest holidays link to the right of the page, or by calling them on 0845 130 8224. ****Please note that wild camping is not allowed in the New Forest. Only use the designated campsites. We also recommend that you book your pitch in advance as the campsites can become very busy in the holiday periods.**** |
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There are specially designed picnic tables at Blackwater which are for disposable BBQs to be placed on. Please remember to follow the BBQ code, which is displayed on site and take all your rubbish home with you or place it in the bins provided. |
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Sit on one of the benches or at a picnic table and enjoy a picnic in the restful grounds of the Arboretum. Listen to the soft breeze rustling the leaves of the trees and the birds singing in the canopy. |
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Blackwater arboretum is ideal for people with limited mobility who wish to enjoy the forest. Why not take a look at the Tall Trees Trail and the Arboretum Senseroy Trail. Both start at Blackwater Car Park. |
Contact:
General Enquiries023 8028 3141
e-mail: enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Please tell us about your visit
Please email us at enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.
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