Bedhampton to Emsworth

The Walk: From Bedhampton station, the walk heads through urban surroundings to the shore of Langstone Harbour at Brockhampton and follows the coast path to South Moor, where an inundation by the sea (aka managed retreat) forces an inland diversion. From the Ship Inn at Langstone Harbour Bridge, the coastal path is resumed beside Chichester Harbour to Emsworth.

Map

NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.

Why do it: Views across Langstone and Chichester Harbours, with blue water at high tide and mud flats with wading birds at low tide. Attractive waterfront at Langstone village, from the Ship Inn to the Royal Oak and windmill. At low tide, exploring the Wadeway causeway, which used to go the whole way across the mud flats to Hayling Island, but is now cut by a river channel. (More about the Wadeway in this post.) Reaching the attractive town of Emsworth by an unusual 'promenade' beside the Mill Pond. Optional excursion around the Slipper Mill pond at Emsworth.

Wadeway

Distance: Bedhampton Station to Ship Inn: 3.5 miles; Ship Inn to Emsworth Station: 5 miles

Logistics: Start at Bedhampton Station and finish at Emsworth station. You could also park at the car park at the Ship Inn at Langstone Harbour Bridge (free in 2023), do the Eastern part of the walk to Emsworth, get the train to Bedhampton and complete the Western half of the walk.

Challenges:

The walks to and from the stations through housing and business estates are a bit drab.

At South Moor (see map) the sea has been allowed to breach the sea wall, necessitating an uninspiring and, in winter, muddy inland diversion, ending with a rather perilous potter along a narrow concrete wall- this rather detracts from attempting the Western half of the walk unless you are a coast path completest.

If exploring the Wadeway, only do so at low tide and don't hesitate to turn back if you encounter deep mud and/or water.

At Warblington, the official path goes inland across (potentially muddy) fields and through the churchyard, but at low tide it is possible to continue along the foreshore and around Conigar Point.

Refreshments: Ship Inn and Royal Oak on the waterfront at Langtsone village. Plenty of cafes etc in Emsworth.

Nearby Walks

To the West: Thorney Island and Chidham Peninsula

To The East: Farlington Peninsula

Photos

Bedhampton to Ship Inn

Path out of Bedhampton

Arm of Langstone Harbour by Brockhampton Sewage Works

Shore of Langstone Harbour

Shore of Langstone Harbour

Beyond here, the sea wall has been breached and there is no way through

South Moor wetland - great for birds, but very muddy for humans

Awkward concrete wall (could be avoided on road)

Ship Inn to Emsworth

View from Ship Inn Car Park

Langstone waterfront and windmill

Looking back to Langstone from Wadeway

Langstone Harbour Bridge

Start of the Wadeway

Windmill

Foreshore at low tide