Ober Water and Puttles Bridge
Hampshire
Ober Water is one of the New Forest's clearest gravel-bed streams, running down through Aldridgehill's oak and beech woodland to join the Lymington River near Brockenhurst. This easy 3km circular walk starts at the free Forestry England car park on Whitefield Moor, off the Rhinefield Road, and follows grass tracks and woodland paths down through the trees to Puttles Bridge, where the stream widens over a shallow gravel bed that is one of the New Forest's best-loved paddling spots for dogs. The route crosses two footbridges over the water before looping back across the open grassland of Whitefield Moor, where New Forest ponies commonly graze. There is very little climbing, and the paths can be boggy after rain.
This is a classic dog friendly New Forest walk built around water, shade and easy going underfoot, ideal for a hot day or a dog that loves to paddle. Ober Water is shallow and slow enough for most dogs to wade or swim at Puttles Bridge, and the woodland canopy gives shelter from sun and rain alike. New Forest ponies graze Whitefield Moor and the surrounding common land, so keep dogs under control and call them away from any ponies you meet, as chasing livestock on the open forest is taken seriously. The walk has no cafe of its own, but Brockenhurst, a short drive away, has several dog friendly pubs and cafes.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets and a seasonal ice cream van at Whitefield Moor car park; no cafe on route, but Brockenhurst nearby has dog friendly pubs and cafes.
- Parking
- Free Forestry England car park at Whitefield Moor, on the Rhinefield Road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ober Water and Puttles Bridge, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Kingfisher Cottage - Brockenhurst
Sleeps 7 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,210 / 7 nights
The Coach House Cottage - Lyndhurst
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £677 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in HampshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ober Water and Puttles Bridge dog friendly?
Ober Water and Puttles Bridge scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — this easy 3km circular walk is essentially built around what dogs love most: water, shade, and open space to roam. Puttles Bridge is one of the New Forest's best-known paddling spots, where the stream runs shallow over a gravel bed and most dogs can wade or swim freely. The woodland canopy keeps things cool on warm days, making it a particularly good choice in summer.
Can dogs be off lead at Ober Water and Puttles Bridge?
Dogs can enjoy a good degree of freedom here, but you'll need to be mindful of the New Forest ponies that graze on Whitefield Moor and the surrounding common land. Chasing livestock on the open forest is taken seriously, so keep your dog under close control whenever ponies are nearby and call them back promptly if needed. On the woodland paths and at the water itself, there's plenty of opportunity for dogs to explore and paddle.
What should I know before visiting Ober Water and Puttles Bridge with my dog?
The paths can get boggy after rain, so it's worth wearing appropriate footwear, especially if you're visiting in wetter months. There's no café on the route itself, but the free car park at Whitefield Moor has toilets and a seasonal ice cream van, and Brockenhurst — just a short drive away — has several dog friendly pubs and cafes if you want to round off the walk with a bite to eat. New Forest ponies are a regular presence on Whitefield Moor, so keeping your dog under control around them is essential.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk1.3 mi awayBalmer Lawn & Brockenhurst Loop
Hampshire
Flat, accessible New Forest walking with exceptional off-lead potential across open lawn and good stream access; free-roaming ponies and cattle are very common so leads needed near them.
Walk1.5 mi awayRhinefield Ornamental Drive Loop
Hampshire
Stunning ornamental woodland with towering redwoods and excellent off-lead potential on clear forest paths; regular stream access and natural shade make it comfortable year-round.
Walk1.5 mi awayBlackwater Arboretum / Tall Trees
Hampshire
A gentle stroll among towering redwoods and ancient oaks with excellent off-lead potential; one of the most accessible and rewarding short walks in the New Forest.
Walk2.3 mi awayWilverley Inclosure Walk
Hampshire
Rewarding enclosed forest walking with high off-lead potential on clear woodland paths; easy terrain suits dogs of all fitness levels.
Lyndhurst Parish Circular (from Bolton’s Bench)
Hampshire
A varied New Forest circuit from the main hub town with outstanding dog-friendly facilities; free-roaming ponies and cattle across the open areas require leads nearby.
Walk4.2 mi awayBurley Village Circular
Dorset
Rewarding New Forest walking with high off-lead potential in the forest sections and outstanding dog-friendly village facilities; free-roaming ponies and cattle require attention.