The Walk: [EDIT September 2024: Updated to reflect opening of the new section of the Solent Way path atop the new sea wall from Milton Common to the A2030 bridge.] This walk follows the shore of the Eastney 'peninsula' around Fort Cumberland, the shore of 'Eastney Lake', then joins the Solent Way beside Milton Common. From here, the Solent Way runs atop the new sea wall beside the Western shore of Langstone Harbour. The finish is along the Ports Creek channel, along the Hilsea Lines.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS tracks, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely. The BLUE route is a high tide route, following the inland perimeter of Fort Cumberland and using roads to bypass the Eastney Lake foreshore. The two RED routes are low tide routes, taking the seaward and lakeside shore routes respectively. The PURPLE route is the new sea wall path.
Why do it: A quite challenging and bracing walk around the sea frontage of Fort Cumberland. Views from Eastney Spit over Langstone Harbour mouth to Hayling Island. Muddy shoreline of Eastney Lake, contrasting with the urban surroundings. Milton Lock and nature reserve. Milton Common (path improved as part of the coastal defence works). The People's Memorial. Excellent (2024) path along the new sea wall beside, and giving views across, Langstone Harbour. Hilsea Lines, the old defences and forts protecting Portsmouth Island from a landwards assault, which have been turned into a linear park with good paths and attractive lakes (for more info on Hilsea Lines, see my cycling blog).
Distance: 10.5 miles
Logistics: Start at the Portsbridge Car Park (free parking), next to the A3 where it crosses the Ports Creek. Take the bus (no 2) to Eastney Health Centre. Walk back. One can also park for free at Eastney Spit (near the Hayling Ferry), also in a free car park next to The Thatched House Pub and at the Langstone Viewpoint off the A2030.
Challenges: The walk along the sea frontage of Fort Cumberland can only be done (safely) at or around low tide, and in calm weather: waves might crash over it in rough weather. There is no escape into the Fort, which is securely fenced and guarded. The concrete stepped frontage exposed at low tide is slippery in places. A small area of beach, easier to walk on, is exposed at very low tide.
Likewise, the muddy foreshore of Eastney Lake is only passable at low tide.
Care is needed crossing the busy A2030 road to the entrance to the Hilsea Lines path.
Refreshments: Several options (see map)
Nearby Walks
To the East: Hayling Island West Shore
To The West: The sea defences on the Eastern side of Portsea Island also have good paths eg beside the Tipner Lake - I have cycled these, see post from my companion blog, Cycle Geography, here
Further West: Browndown to Warsash
Photos
High Tide (Inland) Route (Blue line on the map)
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| Flags at the People's Memorial |
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| Coffee shop on Eastney Beach |
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| Eastney Beach |
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| Former Royal Marines Barracks (now apartments, of course) |
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| Sea wall: washed by waves on a rough day |
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| Derelict buildings of former Fraser Gunnery Range |
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| Footpath around Fraser/Cumberland site |
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| The site is closed to the public |
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| Fort Cumberland info board. The Fort is invisible behind it's fence |
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| Cafe in Eastney Marina |
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| Langstone Harbour mouth |
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| Towards Hayling Ferry jetty |
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| Pier |
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| End of the pier |
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| Eastney Sailing Club |
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| The beach is largely made up of sea shells |
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| Research Institute |
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| RNLI Portsmouth |
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| Hayling Ferry jetty |
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| Spit at Eastney point |
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| Hayling Ferry arriving |
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| Housing development along the south shore of Eastney Lake |
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| Eastney Lake at high tide |
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| Foreshore impassable at high tide |
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| Eastney pumping station |
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| Foreshore impassable at high tide |
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| Thatched House pub |
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| Info board at Milton Lock |
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| Milton Lock (on former Chichester to Portsmouth Canal) |
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| Path along the front at Milton |
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| Track along Langstone Harbour at Milton Common |
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| People's Memorial |
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| People's Memorial |
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| Path (Solent Way) along new sea wall |
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| Path sometimes close to busy A2030... |
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| ....sometimes not |
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| Info sculptures |
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| Watersports centre |
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| Path approaching the A2030 bridge |
Low Tide (Shore) Route in front of Fort Cumberland (Red line on the map) |
| Starting from the East.. |
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| Head round the corner |
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| Beach at low tide |
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| Rather awkward concrete slab, easier on the beach |
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| Take care on the slippery concrete |
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| Emerge on the main beach |
Low Tide (Shore) Route Eastney Lake (Red line on the map) |
| Heading northwards, passing home park |
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| Very muddy in parts |
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| Arriving at Thatched House pub |
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