There are so many great walks in the New Forest, we love trying to discover new routes and places to go. Rockford Common in Hampshire is a popular spot in the New Forest for a variety of reasons.
I didn’t realise until we visited that Rockford Common is part of the National Trust Northern Commons which is also part of Iblsey.
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Parking is free at the National Trust site, however the car park nearest the common is a small car park. There are plenty of places to park along the roadside near Moyles Court School as well if the car park is full, and there is also a lovely river to play in here as well. The postcode for a satnav is BH24 3LZ.
Walking Routes At Rockford Common
There are many different walking routes and trails around Rockford Common. As you arrive at the entrance to the common you can clearly see a huge circular walk. This can be lengthened or shortened depending on how far you want to walk.
The footpaths take you through heathland and amazing views as you are up quite high. There are trails that will take you to Red Shoot Wood and Appleslade enclosure. These are alternative areas where you can park the car with an entrance to the common.
We found a very clearly laid out 3 mile circular walk without any trouble at all. This could have been shortened by taking other paths back to the entrance of the common.
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We saw plenty of dogs at Rockford Common, and having taken Lola with us, she was loving the open space and the new smells. She wasn’t even phased by the ponies, but it’s advisable to keep dogs close or on leads when around the animals.
Things To Do At Rockford Common
The first sight you will see at Rockford Common is the huge sand pit area, known as the Rockford sandpit. This was very popular with children, families and dogs, so we chose to bypass the sand and continue into the common.
You will be greeted with New Forest ponies on the common who are very used to the public being around. We found that they kept to themselves in the middle of the common, and can be easily avoided if you want to keep your distance.
There were a few cows dotted around but again they were minding their own business and didn’t interfere with anyone.
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With so much open space Rockford Common is a great place to spend a few hours and enjoy a picnic. You will find the nearer to lunch time you arrive the busier it is, so it’s advisable to arrive earlier in the day. There are no toilets available however.
If you are thinking about camping in the New Forest, you need to be aware that camping isn’t allowed on Rockford Common. There are however plenty of nearby campsites such as Red Shoot camping park.
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Rockford Common History
There is plenty of history as well as views at Rockford Common. The Moyles Court Oak is believed to be around 600 years old, and one of the oldest trees in the New Forest. You can spot the oak tree on a grass verge at Moyles Court School.
If you’re interested in WWII, then you can explore the area to discover some bunkers. You can walk towards the Huff Duff which is an old directional station and bunker from the war.
To discover the Huff Duff you will need to follow a walking trail having Moyles Court School on your left. The foot path can be accessed just up the road on your right hand side. The route is detailed here.
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