Green Spaces
Improving our spaces and connectivity
New Milton’s Neighbourhood Plan aims to make it easier to walk around our town and access attractive green spaces.
To achieve this, the Town Council and New Forest District Council are working together to improve our town’s green spaces and green routes. The work can include improving footpaths and access, providing seating and new foot bridges, and managing the woodland for wildlife.
The Town Council’s Green Routes Working Group survey footpaths and implement improvements to make them more attractive and easier to access. Meanwhile, as part of New Forest District Council’s Green Way strategy, a number of routes and green spaces are surveyed and opportunities identified to facilitate dog-walking and recreational enjoyment. Specific projects are selected for implementation, funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a levy received from residential developments in the town.
Our Green Spaces
Ashley Recreation Ground
A large recreational space that’s home to New Milton Rugby Club with its pavilion and social club.
Recent enhancements carried out as part of New Milton’s Neighbourhood Plan and NFDC’s Green Way strategy include the newly opened Ashley Family & Youth Hub and newly refurbished play park.
A Green Route takes you from Caird Avenue, by Tesco, to Ashley Recreation Ground: GR6.
View Map
Ballard Lake & Copse
A delightful area to walk around the traditional village duck pond, with benches available to sit and enjoy the tranquillity. A Fairy Trail walk links up to Ballard Water Meadow.
Ballard Lake is home to the New Milton Guides.
Ballard Water Meadow
The meadow is a Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC), owned by New Milton Town Council and maintained by the Friends of Ballard Water Meadow.
This treasured green oasis is a lovely place for nature spotting – birds, butterflies, flowers, fungi and insects. Each season brings something new.
As these are water meadows, you may need your waterproof footwear after a heavy downpour.
A small herd of Dexter cattle provide conservation grazing (September to March) for this important 4.25 hectare wildlife site.
Barton Common
New Milton Town Council manage this 19 hectare site under Higher Level Stewardship and ’employ’ Forester ponies as conservation grazers.
This is a very special and notably rare area of lowland heath-grassland, designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Being well placed adjacent to the cliff-top and open sea, it offers a haven to a variety of wildlife – plants, birds, insects, and butterflies.
Barton Common has a rich history of ownership and uses over the years. Details available on the Milton Heritage Society website.
Brook Avenue
This wooded footpath, near Ballard Lake, follows the brook adjacent to Brook Avenue, between Fernhill Lane and Meadow Road.
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Carrick Way Woodland
This woodland, with a stream running through, has recently been landscaped through NFDC’s Green Way programme. Overhanging vegetation has been cleared and this woodland walk now features accessible bridges and surfaced footpath route, seating areas, and an informal play trail throughout the site. Signage to the walk has been improved, particularly from Carrick Way.
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Daneswood
Informal woodland setting providing a natural track with gentle undulations.
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Doe Copse Way
Open space and enclosed play park with a wide variety of equipment.
A footpath connects the green space to Ballard Water Meadows.
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Fawcetts Field
These fields are very popular and offer the perfect place for sport – football pitches, Petanque, running track and trim trail.
During the summer months, local charity and community groups set up car boot sales, and funfairs and circuses come to town to entertain us.
Look out for the opening of the Community Garden project this summer 2025.
More information
View Map
Fernhill Sports Ground
This beautiful ground is leased to New Milton Cricket Club by the Town Council. Two grounds offer a total of 20 grass pitches.
Hollands Wood Green Space
Informal green space set in a residential area includes a kickabout area.
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Long Meadow
A great open space with a rustic play park (due to be upgraded in 2025). A short walk from the meadow takes you to Barton Common and Barton Clifftop. Becton Bunny Stream runs through the meadow.
Long Meadow now has protected Village Green status and is home to the Friendly Dog Club and Barton Sea Scouts.
View Map
War Memorial Recreation Ground
A very popular green space in the centre of town, with play park, skate park, tennis courts, multi-use games area, bowling greens, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Rose Walk and heritage board.
See the heritage board for a history of the recreation ground – or relax on one of the commemorative benches especially designed to celebrate our local Paralympian gold medallist champions, or the beautiful war memorial benches.
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