Clay Hill, an open mature Beech woodland of the type common throughout the forest. What a glorious environment. Not natural, I'll grant you, but nevertheless a fantastic woodland to walk in, whether in the winter when canopy-less or, as it will be soon, capped with a verdant crown. As I say, it's not natural, first the uniform Beech trees are the consequence of Admiralty forestry and secondly, the clear cut nature of the under-story is a story of regular maintenance. Walking through the stand the stump remains of Holly (a common under-story inhabitant) are clear to see, probably cut a couple years back or so, whereas beyond the clear cut area the Holly still dominates the under-story. Clay Hill is on the rise towards the high part of the forest and Stoney Cross, woodland of a similar, though not clear cut, nature extends north, east and south of it for some ways. Really lovely, although as it's name suggests, the land in these parts holds the water and can make for wet walking.
So, which Clay Hill though? There are at least 4 Clay Hills in the forest, all of a different nature and aspect. This one is the one near Minstead, to the east of the New Forest.
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