The walk: The walk starts at Bursledon station and follows the Hamble River to Warsash, crosses the river on a ferry, and follows the shoreline of Southampton Water to the mouth of the River Itchen. Return to the start by train from Woolston station.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: A free station car park. Attractive path down the Hamble River. Crossing the Hamble on a pink ferry. Remote-feeling foreshore of Southampton Water, passing an oil terminal and with views of ships coming and going to Southampton port. Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley (site of Victorian Military Hospital).
Distance: 11 miles
Logistics: Park in the (FREE, as of 2023) car park at Bursledon Station. Return by train from Woolston station.
Challenges: Having crossed the Hamble, the walk crosses Hamble Common, which is very boggy in parts, and then stays on the foreshore of Southampton Water, which can only be done around low tide. Otherwise, the official England Coast Path can be followed close to the shore, but sometimes views will be obscured by hedges and buildings. The foreshore is a mix of shingle and (in places) rubble.
Refreshments: Cafes in the marinas along the Hamble, in Warsash (pub as well), Hamble village, Royal Victoria Country Park and Woolston
Nearby Walks
To the West: the next walk with coastal access is Calshot and Lepe
To The East: Browndown to Warsash
Photos
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Beginning of the Southampton Water foreshore at Hamble Point
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| Bursledon station car park |
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| River Hamble from the A27 road bridge |
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| Marina |
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| Cafe in Marina |
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| Beginning of path down the Hamble |
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| Path down the Hamble |
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| Approaching the pink ferry |
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| The England Coast Path is well signed |
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| IRB station at Hamble (also with cafe) |
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| Hamble Common is very boggy in parts |
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| Track only goes part way round Hamble Point Marina |
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| Beginning of the Southampton Water foreshore at Hamble Point |
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| You pass alongside a large oil terminal |
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| Looking across to Fawley refinery |
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| Typical foreshore |
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| Netley Sailing Club |
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| The chapel, all that remains of the military hospital |
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| Foreshore alongside the Country Park |
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| I suspect impassable at high tide |
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| Liner in Southampton Port |
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| Netley Castle (originally a Tudor fort, remodelled as a Gothic Mansion in Victoriam times, now apartments) |
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| Foreshore approaching Woolston |
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| Extensive but soggy shingle beach at low tide |
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| Good path into Woolston |
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| Itchen Bridge |
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| River Itchen from Itchen Bridge |
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| Woolston station |
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