Visitors guide to coastal sites

The following list provides brief details about each of the coastal sites managed by Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service. All the sites are shown on the accompanying map and are listed west to east. For further information, visitors are advised to contact the Countryside Service offices in Winchester or to telephone the relevant number shown.

1 Avon Water, Pennington

(SZ 308 934) Near Keyhaven. Small wetland area managed under agreement with Southern Water.Contact Tel: 01590 674656

2 Hurst Spit

(SZ 317 900) Near Keyhaven. Shingle and saltmarsh adjacent to Hurst Castle, at the western end of the Solent. Contact Tel: 01590 674656

3 Lymington – Keyhaven Nature Reserve

(SZ 320 925) Between Lymington and Keyhaven. Coastal marshes, lagoons and former salterns, nationally important for its birdlife, plants and insects.Car parks in Lymington and Keyhaven serve the area, and good views can be obtained from the seawall footpath. Contact Tel: 01590 674656

4 Lepe Country Park

(SZ 456 985) Near Blackfield. Attractive beaches and coastal walks with superb views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The Park has a visitor information point, toilets, café, shop, restaurant, BBQ facilities and children’s play area. Car parking charges apply. Contact Tel: 023 8089 9108

5 Calshot Marshes Nature Reserve

(SU 486 017) Calshot, near Fawley. Saltmarsh and inter-tidal mudland lying within the shelter of Calshot Spit, close to the Calshot Activities Centre. Car park nearby, charges apply. Contact Tel: 01590 674656

6 Westwood Woodland Park

(SU 447 094) Netley. Ancient woodland with streamside walks, rolling grassland slopes and extensive views. The site includes historic water conduits which once served the nearby Netley Abbey. A programme of events and educational activities is provided for Westwood and other countryside sites in the area. Car parking at Weston Shore. Contact Tel: 023 8045 6484

7 Royal Victoria Country Park

(SU 457 080) Netley. Attractive parkland, woodland and seashore overlooking Southampton Water, on the site of a once-famous military hospital. The Park has an information point, shop and exhibition housed within the former hospital chapel. There are also tearooms, a children’s play area and a miniature railway, as well as easy access trails, sensory garden, toilets, BBQ areas and an exciting programme of events.Car parking charges apply, and there is a separate charge to view the chapel exhibition and tower. Contact Tel: 023 8045 5157

8 Hackett’s Marsh Nature Reserve

(SU 485 089) Near Bursledon. Wet meadows and saltmarsh on the shore of the River Hamble. Contact Tel: 023 8045 6484

9 Mercury Marshes Nature Reserve

(SU 485 076) Near Hamble village. Saltmarsh, reedbeds and scrub flanking the river Hamble.Contact Tel: 023 8045 6484

10 Hamble River

(SU 488 061) Riverside walks on east bank footpath. The harbour itself is a major centre for sailing and the estuary is of national importance for wildlife. The County Council acts as Harbour Authority for the river from its offices in Warsash.Car parks in Warsash and Hamble villages.Contact Tel: 01489 576387

11 Manor Farm Country Park

(SU 497 110) Near Hedge End. Farmland and ancient woodland beside the river Hamble, with a historic working farm – ‘life in the past lane’. Manor Farm is ideal for the whole family, with a wide range of livestock and superb collection of old farm buildings at its centre. The park offers extensive riverside and woodland walks, picnic areas and children’s play areas, tea rooms, a shop and varied programme of events. Car parking and entry charges apply.Contact Tel: 01489 787055

12 Strawberry Fields

(SU 492 059) Warsash. Picnic site and viewpoint overlooking the mouth of the Hamble River. Managed in partnership with Fareham Borough Council. Contact Tel: 023 8045 5157

13 Hook-with-Warsash Nature Reserve

(SU 493 051) Near Warsash. Varied coastal habitats of shingle, grassland, wetland and woodland at the mouth of the Hamble river. Car parks in Warsash village. Contact Tel: 01329 662145

14 Brownwich & Chilling Coastal Area

(SU 529 038) Near Titchfield. An extensive block of coastal farmland and woodland with attractive walks and horseriding routes. The area is managed primarily for agriculture, with areas set aside for nature conservation and public access.

Car parks at Thatcher’s Copse (off Meon Lane) and Hook Lane, Titchfield. Contact Tel: 01329 662145

15 Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve and Haven House Visitor Centre

(SU 535 023) Hill Head. Major wetland nature reserve at the mouth of the Meon river, of particular importance for wildfowl, waders and a wide range of breeding birds.Haven House visitor centre contains information and displays, a shop, tearoom with views over the Solent, and toilets. Tickets to visit the Reserve can be bought at the visitor centre. A programme of walks and other events covers the three adjacent nature reserves and coastal area. Car parking on nearby seafront. Contact Tel: 01329 662145

16 Wicor

(SU 605 047) Portchester. Coastal scrub and grazing land on the shore of Portsmouth Harbour. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

17 Castle Shore Park

(SU 623 050) Portchester. Landscaped open space on the shore of Portsmouth Harbour. Car park nearby, adjacent to Portchester Castle.Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

18 The Kench Nature Reserve

(SZ 693 997) Hayling Island. Saltmarsh and tidal inlet of Langstone Harbour, of special importance as a sheltered feeding area for birds. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

19 Hayling Billy Coastal Path

(SU 717 030) Hayling Island. Coastal footpath, bridlepath and cycleway along the shoreline of Langstone Harbour, following the route of the former Hayling Billy railway.Small car park at North Hayling (near filling station) and at West Town. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

20 Creek Common

(SU 715 020) Hayling Island. Coastal grassland/saltmarsh between Hayling Billy Coastal Path and Langstone Bridge. Car park at North Hayling near filling station. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

21 Gutner Point Nature Reserve

(SU 735 015) Hayling Island. Grassland, saltmarsh and inter-tidal mudland extending into Chichester Harbour. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

22 Sandy Point Nature Reserve

(SZ 747 981) Hayling Island. Coastal dune, heath and grassland with rare plants and insects. Contact Tel: 023 9247 6411

Key Habitats

The Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plan identifies seven coastal habitats as being particularly important on the county’s coastline. These habitats are found on one or more of the County Council’s sites, as shown in the following table:

Coastal Habitats	HCC Sites
Maritime Cliffs	Brownwich and Chilling, Lepe Country Park
Shingle	Hook with Warsash, Hurst Spit
Saltmarsh	Calshot Marshes, Gutner Point, Hackett's Marsh Hook with Warsash, Hurst Spit, The Kench, Lymington-Keyhaven, Mercury Marshes
Coastal Grazing Marsh	Hackett's Marsh, Hook with Warsash, Lymington-Keyhaven
Sand Dunes	Sandy Point
Mudflats/Eelgrass	Calshot Marshes, Hook with Warsash, Gutner Point
Saline Lagoons	Lymington-Keyhaven

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