Queen’s Park to St Leonards (11mi)
Bournemouth Queen’s Park – Holdenhurst – Throop – Bournemouth Airport – Hurn – Hurn Forest – St Leonards
Page published: 14 July 2023 Page modified: 7 June 2024
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A spacious park, quaint villages, an old mill, the county’s longest river, an airport and a 3mi walk through the forest. These are some of the sights and experiences of this walk.
I started at Queen’s Park in Bournemouth and used this beautiful green space to have my breakfast there. Subsequently, I made my way to the Cooper Dean Roundabout and eventually arrived in Holdenhurst village.
Entrance sign of Queen’s Park
Breakfast at the park
The pond on which I had my break
The main path through Queen’s Park
The ‘Welcome to Bournemouth’ bridge
Holdenhurst and Throop
I had a look at the Grade II listed gas lamps and at the exterior and cemetery of St John the Evangelist Church and then went on to neighbouring Throop. There, I found Throop Mill, an abandoned flour mill that closed its doors back in 1974.
St John the Evangelist Church and Churchyard in Holdenhurst
Holdenhurst village centre
Holdenhurst village centre
Between Holdenhurst and Throop
Throop Mill
Throop Mill
The millpond
The Stour and Bournemouth Airport
My next stop was the River Stour and a few miles on, I passed by Bournemouth Airport. I continued to Hurn and had another short break there.
The River Stour near Throop
A swan mum with her newborns
Left bank of the Stour between Throop and Hurn
Field near Hurn
A stream not far from Adventure Wonderland and Bournemouth Airport
Hurn Forest and St Leonards
Hurn Forest offers many paths to explore, and I chose the main one which after 3mi, took me to St Leonards where I was able to find a pub and conclude my journey with a pint.
Find out more by watching my video about this journey.
Heath at Hurn Forest
On my 3mi walk through the forest
Hurn Forest
Hurn Forest
The Woodman pub at the A31 Ringwood Road in St Leonards
