Bournefield Plantation

Wood, Forest in Hampshire New Forest

England

Bournefield Plantation

Bourne Gap red buoy Credit: Roger Cornfoot

Bournefield Plantation is a wooded area located in Hampshire, England. Situated near the town of Bournefield, the plantation covers a vast expanse of land, primarily consisting of dense forest and woodlands.

The plantation is known for its rich biodiversity, with a variety of plant and animal species calling it home. The forest is predominantly made up of native tree species such as oak, beech, and ash, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. The lush undergrowth provides a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects.

Visitors to Bournefield Plantation can explore the numerous walking trails that wind through the woods, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. These trails offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, providing a peaceful and tranquil setting for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

The plantation also holds historical significance, with remnants of an old manor house dating back to the 18th century still visible within its boundaries. This adds an element of charm and intrigue to the site, attracting history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts.

Bournefield Plantation is a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and historical significance make it a must-visit location for those interested in exploring the Hampshire countryside and immersing themselves in its rich heritage.

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Bournefield Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.801541/-1.3299634 or Grid Reference SU4700. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bourne Gap red buoy

Roger Cornfoot

View of D-Day preparation area at Lepe

To the right two bollards used to tie up ships. Beyond and above the righthand side of the noticeboard is a war memorial and the area used for constructing the massive concrete caissons that were floated across the Channel and then sunk. See also SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe.

Peter Facey

Information board on D-Day at Lepe

Peter Facey

D-Day war memorial at Lepe

To 4th/7th royal Dragoon Guards who lkeft here to land in Sherman amphibiopus tanks 5 minutes before the main assault on Gold beach. 124 men lost their lives. The top part of this memorial seems to be a recent addition. For earlier see Link . The inscription on the top part of the memorial reads: Take these men for your example Like them remember that propserity can only be for the free, that freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. On the seaward side of the memorial there is the same inscription in French.

Peter Facey

Location of D-Day war memorial at Lepe

For a closer view see Link . The concrete wall beyond, buttressed at frequent intervals, was a rolling-track wall two of which were used in parallel to transport massive concrete caissons to the launch point (off-picture right) from the place where they were built (near tree at left). Each caisson was carried on 2m carriages that rolled along timber rails on 75 mm steel balls. See SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe

Peter Facey

Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe

Beyond is the North Solent National Nature Reserve. "Cadland beach is one of the last pristine areas of vegetated shingle left in the UK". For a closer view of the information board see SZ4699 : Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve.

Peter Facey

Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve

Marking the limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe. For a wider view see SZ4699 : Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe.

Peter Facey

The Beach Has Grown

From the grid reference this is the same bucket on a stick marker as seen in SU4801 : Groynes on Calshot beach showing how the beach has risen in the intervening years. These shingle beaches are ever changing. Next bit of rough weather and it will be different again.

Des Blenkinsopp

Unsettled Sky, Jack Maynard Road

Jack Maynard Road goes along behind the beach huts out to Calshot Castle. All that Google wants to tell me is that Jack Maynard is another one of many present day media celebrities. I'm not convinced this road is named after him though.

Des Blenkinsopp

Beach Huts, Calshot

A long row of traditional wooden huts overlook the shingly beach on the way to Calshot Castle.

Des Blenkinsopp

Calshot Spit buoy, Solent

Roger Cornfoot

Second World War relics at Lepe Country Park

These two metal skeletons (known as "dolphins") once formed part of the pierhead used to load ships departing for Normandy in 1944. On the foreshore are the remains of beach hardening mats, which resemble huge concrete bars of chocolate. They were laid out to strengthen the beach enough to take the weight of tanks and other vehicles being driven onto landing craft.

Jim Champion

Groynes between Lepe and Calshot, North Solent

The shingle beach in the foreground is part of the Lepe Country Park, and it is less populated by visitors as it can only be accessed by a walk around Stansore Point from the car parks. It isn't possible to walk the length of this beach to Calshot as the beach in the distance is part of the North Solent Nature Reserve.

Jim Champion

North Solent National Nature Reserve, between Lepe and Calshot

At the north-east extreme of the Lepe Country Park the shingle beach is part of the National Nature Reserve (down to low water) and should not be disturbed.

Jim Champion

Beach

This is a view of Nelsons Place, from the Cadland House Beach.

Paul Beaman

Beach.

A view of the Beach in front of The Cadland House.

Paul Beaman

Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park

Compare this with SZ4698 : Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park taken in August 2005 to see what used to be bolted to the top of the concrete base the man is standing on.

Peter Facey