Bursledon, Warsash, the River Hamble and the Solent Shore

The route and the walk will form the lovely Jono's assessment event as he endeavours to become a Lowland and Hill Walk leader for OutdoorLads. Your support for Jono is sought.

We start and finish our walk (see the route here) in the attractive waterside village of Bursledon, a place which has retained a connection with watercraft since the medieval period, when warships were built there. Scattered cottages and fine lodges have been infilled over the years with housing development, and it has become Southampton's plushest suburb.

The walk crosses the River Hamble on Swanwick Bridge and it is here that the use, perhaps over-use, of the lower course of the River Hamble for pleasure craft becomes clear as pontoons and marinas mean that little open water remains. The walk then heads south along the footpath along the right bank of the river, often causewayed over the mudflats which are exposed at low tide. 

Just before the Hamble meets the Solent, we'll reach the village of Warsash, again used for building warships, but from the eighteenth century onwards. While the eastern edge of the village merges into the suburbia of far-off Fareham, the southern side gives way to the remaining pasture of Titchfield Common. We'll cross an inlet that leads up to the hamlet of Hook, and reach the sea with the broad shingle banks of the Solent Shore which we'll sit on to have lunch. To the northwest, a view of Southampton; to the southwest, Fawley Oil Refinery; to the south, Cowes and the Isle of Wight. 

We'll then turn north through a wooded area to pleasant suburbia until we reach Holly Hill Woodland Park. An estate park and arboretum covering 35 hectares, with a sunken garden, a grotto and lakes, it has received a Green Flag award for its quality. Having crossed Winnard's Copse, we'll turn west to reach the Hamble again and we'll re-trace our steps along the river, go back across Swanwick Bridge and creep along the seawall to reach the celebrated pub that is The Jolly Sailor at Bursledon. 

Dogs:

I love having dogs on the walks I lead, and this walk is very suitable for them although there are some country lanes and suburban streets to walk along and roads to cross. A dog off its lead must be under control.

IMPORTANT! – Participation Statement:

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

(All pictures were taken by the leadership aspirant.)