Spring Riding Routes Beyond the New Forest — 3 Day Trips from Southampton
If you’ve read our guide to the best New Forest motorcycle routes, you’ll know we love riding on our doorstep. But sometimes you want to stretch your legs a bit further. Spring is perfect for it — the roads are drying out, the days are getting longer, and everything looks brilliant with fresh green everywhere.
Here are three of my favourite day rides from the Southampton area. Each one’s doable in a day with time for stops, and none of them involve motorways unless you want to cheat on the way home. Make sure your bike’s sorted first — if it’s been sitting over winter, run through our spring maintenance checklist before you head out.
Route 1: The Jurassic Coast Run
Distance: About 130 miles round trip | Time: 4–6 hours with stops
This is probably my favourite day ride from Totton, and in spring it’s absolutely stunning. Head west through the New Forest to Bournemouth, then pick up the coast road towards Wareham. From there, you’re into proper Jurassic Coast territory.
The A351 down to Corfe Castle is a cracking road — you drop down through a gap in the Purbeck Hills and suddenly there’s this massive ruined castle sitting on a hilltop in front of you. Stop for a photo because it’s genuinely impressive, then continue down to Swanage.
From Swanage, take the coast road west through Worth Matravers towards Lulworth Cove. This stretch is what makes the whole trip worthwhile. The roads are narrow and twisty, with big views over the cliffs and the sea. You’re not going fast — it’s not that kind of road — but the scenery is spectacular.
Lulworth Cove itself is worth a stop. Walk down to the beach and back, grab a pasty, then head north through Wool and back east towards home. The A352 and A31 bring you back through the forest, and you’ll be home with a grin on your face and about 130 miles on the clock.
Best stop: The Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers. Stone-flagged floors, cider from the barrel, and fossils in the walls. Proper old-school.
Route 2: The South Downs Loop
Distance: About 110 miles round trip | Time: 3–5 hours with stops
Head east out of Southampton and you’re into the South Downs within half an hour. This route takes you through some of the best riding roads in Hampshire and West Sussex, with big rolling views across the chalk downland.
From Southampton, take the A3051 to Bishop’s Waltham — a nice market town with good coffee shops — then head east on the back roads towards Petersfield. The lanes around East Meon and West Meon are absolutely gorgeous in spring. They wind through a valley with the downs rising up on either side, and the hedgerows are full of bluebells in April and May.
From Petersfield, head south towards the coast on the A272. This road gets a lot of love from bikers and it deserves it — it’s smooth, well-sighted, and flows beautifully. You can swing through Midhurst and Petworth if you want to extend the ride. Both are lovely old towns with plenty of tea rooms.
Coming back, cut north-west through the Meon Valley again. The B2150 and B3035 are quiet roads that feel like they were designed for motorcycles. Rolling bends, decent surface, no traffic.
Best stop: The Thomas Lord pub in West Meon. Named after the founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground, who’s buried in the churchyard next door. Great food and very biker-friendly.
Route 3: The Wiltshire Explorer
Distance: About 140 miles round trip | Time: 5–7 hours with stops
This one’s a bit longer and takes you properly into the countryside. If you want that feeling of being miles from anywhere on empty roads, Wiltshire is the answer.
Head north from Southampton through Romsey — a lovely little town on the River Test — and up towards Salisbury. The A36 isn’t the most exciting road, but once you’re past Salisbury and heading north on the back roads, everything changes.
The area around Pewsey Vale is brilliant for riding. Big open downland, wide views, and roads that roll over the hills with sweeping corners. Head through Marlborough — a proper old coaching town with a wide high street — and then west towards Devizes. The roads between Marlborough and Devizes are some of the best-kept secrets in southern England. Smooth tarmac, gentle curves, almost zero traffic on a weekday.
From Devizes, you can loop south through Warminster and back to Salisbury via the A36. If you’ve got time, detour past Stonehenge — you can see it from the road and it’s always worth a look, even if you’ve seen it before. There’s something about riding past a five-thousand-year-old stone circle on a motorcycle that puts things in perspective.
Best stop: The Polly Tea Rooms in Marlborough. Proper cream tea with scones the size of your fist. You’ve earned it.
Before You Head Out
Spring riding is brilliant, but the roads can still catch you out. A few things worth remembering:
Diesel spills on roundabouts. Lorries leak diesel over winter and it builds up on the road surface, especially on roundabouts and at junctions. In the wet, it’s like riding on ice. Be smooth and steady.
Cold mornings, warm afternoons. Dress in layers. It might be five degrees when you leave at eight in the morning and fifteen by lunchtime. Vents on your jacket, thermal layers underneath.
Fuel planning. Some of these routes go through pretty rural areas. Don’t assume there’ll be a petrol station around the next corner. If you’re below half a tank, fill up when you see a garage.
Let someone know your route. Not being dramatic, but if you’re riding alone into the middle of Wiltshire, it’s sensible to tell someone roughly where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Fancy a New Ride for the Season?
If your current bike isn’t quite cutting it for longer days out, come and see what we’ve got in stock. Whether you’re after a comfortable tourer, a lightweight adventure bike, or something sporty for the twisties, we’ve probably got something that’ll suit. And you can always book a test ride to try before you buy.
Drop us a message on WhatsApp if you’ve got any questions, want route tips, or just fancy a chat about bikes. We’re always up for that.
