WWII Secrets of RAF Beaulieu: Roundhill History Walk in the New Forest

Set out from Roundhill Campsite on a two-hour guided walk that stitches wartime traces into the wild open of the New Forest. The History Walk at Roundhill - part II follows roughly three miles of paths, tracks and heath, led by local wartime historian Marc Heighway. Meeting at the Campsite Reception at 10am, this small-group stroll moves between bomb stores, air-raid shelters and the flattened footprints of runways and aircraft hangars that once defined RAF Beaulieu, one of twelve airfields built in the region during World War II.

The terrain is classic New Forest: sandy soils, low heather heathland, mixed oak and birch copses, and the occasional gorse clutching the edge of the track. Along the route you might spot New Forest ponies grazing and hear skylarks over open clearings; a quiet contrast to the concrete scars and mounded ruins left by wartime engineering. Marc pairs archival detail with on-the-ground evidence—concrete ridges, trimmed banks and scattered metal fixings—so visitors can see how landscape and history intersect.

Practical details are straightforward: the walk covers about three miles in around two hours and is not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Participants must be at least 13 years old; under-18s need a responsible adult. Wear flat trainers or boots and weather-appropriate layers, and bring water and any snacks you need for comfort. The collection point is clear: Roundhill Campsite, Beaulieu Rd, Brockenhurst SO42 7QL, UK.

Why this walk matters: RAF Beaulieu played a specific operational role in the latter years of the war, and its remains are unusually accessible across a lived-in landscape. The guide's local knowledge turns what could be a checklist of ruins into a narrative that connects names, dates and personal stories to visible features. For visitors interested in military history, landscape archaeology or the way public land preserves hard history, the walk offers focused, readable fieldwork without technical walking demands.

Photographers and history buffs alike will find compelling frames: low concrete edges leading to open heath, shelter entrances half-swallowed by bracken, and long sightlines along former runway beds. The experience respects the surroundings—leave no trace and keep to paths where requested—and offers a thoughtful way to read the New Forest's quieter, layered past while enjoying an accessible outdoor ramble.

Part of Roundhill's VE Day 80 celebrations, this walk balances documented history with on-site detective work: measuring earthworks, locating concrete footprints and listening to personal anecdotes that humanize dates and unit designations. It's ideal for curious teens, veteran families and anyone who likes history combined with fresh air. Spaces are limited for guided tours; arrive on time and plan a relaxed schedule before or after to explore Brockenhurst and nearby Beaulieu today.