Description
Spotting deer in the New Forest isn't always easy, but at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary there is a purpose built viewing platform overlooking a large meadow area where a herd of fallow deer regularly gather.
Deer viewing at Bolderwood isn't guaranteed but the herd are
fed daily by the local New Forest keeper, between the months of April
and September, so the deer are more than happy to remain in the main
meadow and are very accustomed to human presence.
Several of the animals are white, which is quite an uncommon colour for
fallow deer to be. The platform provides an excellent photo opportunity
although a zoom or telephoto lens is a very good idea, if you want
close-up shots.
The
wooden viewing platform is just a short distance from the main
Bolderwood car park. Adjacent to the car park is a large flat grassy
Forest lawn, perfect for kicking a football around or grouping up for a
game of rounders! In fact, Bolderwood is one of the most popular spots in the New Forest for spending a sunny day and the area can become a bit congested during the better weather and holiday times.
While the deer sanctuary is the main attraction at Bolderwood, there are also graded walks and a large picnic area amongst the tall trees, alongside which is a New Forest information cabin (not always open) manned by a Forest Ranger. The picnic area also has decent toilet facilities.
If you don't want to stray too far from your vehicle, it's an ideal
place to take a packed lunch and just enjoy the forest atmosphere.
Of course, if you want to see more of Bolderwood the graded walks
take you through the surrounding woodland. Each one starts and ends at
the picnic area and follow gravel tracks. There are three walks of 1/2
mile, 1 mile and 2 miles and all are very easy going.
| 
