Wittensford Homepage


Dist:0.1km<br/>Unfenced roads in the Forest have a speed limit of 40mph - this was introduced in 1990 to try and reduce the number of large herbivores killed by motor vehicles (usually at night). The New Forest Commoners have a right to "depasture" stock on the open Forest and the Verderers of the New Forest offer a £1000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of a driver convicted of a hit and run accident involving a Forest animal. The B3078/3079 has a particularly high accident rate and at either end has a 'kill-ometer' like the one in this picture to advise motorists of the number of animals already killed on this road since the start of the year.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>The Amanita citrina fungus (also known as False Death Cap) is extremely common in Bignell Wood at this time of year, mainly amongst the beech trees. They are quite distinctive with their light lemon-yellow sheen, and their common name comes from their similar appearance to the toxic Amanita phalloides "Death Cap" fungus.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.2km<br/>
©Alex McGregor
Dist:0.2km<br/>This part of Bignell Wood, close to Wittensford, is mainly beech with an understorey of holly. The holly undergrowth has been cut back and the branches left on the ground for commoners' stock to browse during the winter months. At this time of the autumn every gust of wind triggers a noisy shower of beech nuts onto the woodland floor.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.2km<br/>This house called Bignell Wood is situated just north of the boundary of Bignell Wood, along the course of the Kings Garn Gutter between Canterton Manor and Wittensford. It was once the retreat of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife. Conan Doyle is buried in the churchyard at nearby Minstead.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.2km<br/>This metal post shows the boundary between Minstead and Bramshaw. It stands beside the B3079.
©Trish Steel
Dist:0.2km<br/>Pigs feed on forest acorns. The pannage season still applies, though Commoners are now allowed, as a privilege, to graze breeding sows in the forest all year round.
©Trish Steel
Dist:0.3km<br/>The forest laws of the Normans kings allowed commoners living in the New Forest to turn out their pigs for pannage, or grazing on acorns, only from late September to November. Acorns are green during these months, and though excellent for fattening pigs they can poison other animals, including deer. Once the acorns turned brown, they were safe for deer and winged game to eat, so the pannage pigs had to be removed. Today, as a privilege, commoners are allowed to graze breeding sows in the forest all year round.
©Trish Steel
Dist:0.3km<br/>These two small ponies are grazing by the side of the stream near the bridge at Wittensford. Weak winter sunshine is peeking through the trees of Bignell Wood beyond.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.3km<br/>This bridge carries the B3079 over the stream at Wittensford, which was (presumably) once a ford. The B3079 connects Bramshaw and Brook with Cadnam, and this bridge is about half a mile from Junction 1 of the M27. There is an old road sign at the right end of the bridge railings, with Minstead to the left and Bramshaw to the right.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.3km<br/>The roundabout for the M27 can just be seen.
©Trish Steel
Dist:0.3km<br/>This metal post shows the boundary between Minstead and Bramshaw. It stands beside the B3079. For a wider view see [[1671375]]
©Trish Steel
Dist:0.3km<br/>
©Alex McGregor
Dist:0.3km<br/>This house (also called Bignell Wood) is on the northern edge of Bignell Wood, looking out onto a small clearing. It was once the retreat of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife. Nowadays it has convenient access to the motorway, whilst being far enough away for it not to be a noise nuisance. The foreground floor is covered with cut twigs and branches.
©Jim Champion
Dist:0.3km<br/>
©Nigel Chadwick

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]

Members Nearby

Wittensford Discussion Forum


Places Near Wittensford

Ashurst • Bank • Bartley • Blackhill • Bramshaw • Brook • Brook Hill • Cadnam • Canada • Copythorne • Custards • Emery Down • Fritham • Furzley • London Minstead • Lyndhurst • Minstead • Netley Marsh • Newbridge • Newtown • Nomansland • Ower • Pikeshill • Stoney Cross • Stonyford • Upper Canterton • Wigley • Winsor • Wittensford • Woodlands •