| Date | Walk | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 21 August 2010 | South Parade Pier, Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour (as part of a longer walk) | 4.7 km (2.9 miles) |
| 25 July 2009 | Emsworth to South Parade Pier, Southsea | 22.4 km (14.0 miles) |
- Solent Way waymark
25 July 2009: Emsworth to South Parade Pier, Southsea
22.4 km (14 miles)
- Emsworth
I had been planning to complete my exploration of the 1066 Country Walk (the Bexhill to Battle link path remaining to be walked). However, Haydn persuaded me, the forecast being good, to join him and Pat in another costal walk, so I suggested Emsworth to Portsmouth, along the Solent Way.
- Warblington Castle
We therefore took the train to Emsworth station, and walked down to the tidal mill pond to pick up the Solent Way (which is here coincident with the Wayfarer's Walk).
- The Royal Oak, Langstone, with mill behind
Once clear of Emsworth, the route turns inland for a short distance, visiting Warblington Church, with the remains of Warblington Castle behind (an early sixteenth centaury brick and stone manor house, almost totally destroyed in the Civil War, with only one tower of the gatehouse remaining). The route then returns to the coast, passing through Langstone, behind the distinctive black tower of Langston Mill (now a private residence).
- Creek at Brockhampton
Past Langstone, the route takes another inland detour, this time to cross the creek at Brockhampton, an area of industrial estates and sewerage works. The blackberries along the creek were some of the best I've ever tasted - large, ripe and juicy.
After the creek there is an unpleasantly noisy section alongside the A27(T), which leads onto the sea defences around Farlington Marshes, a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
- North Binness Island, from edge of Farlington Marshes
We stopped to eat our sandwiches on a bench overlooking North Binness Island - which the OS 1:25 000 map shows as rising to a height of 4 m above sea level at one point.
- Trig point (Flush Bracket Number S2653)
From Farlington Marshes there is another section alongside the A27(T), before turning south onto Portsea Island over the bridge carrying the A2030. Just beyond the bridge, half hidden in vegetation, is one what must be one of the lowest trig points in the county - all of 3 m above sea level (Flush Bracket Number S2653).
- Kendalls Wharf
The route then keeps to the shoreline, other than where it passes behind Kendalls Wharf, which handles aggregates. At Milton the route leaves the coast, to follow suburban roads and pass through a park to reach Eastney.
- Eastney sewage pumping station
At Eastney we found the old sewage pumping station was open, in steam and had free admission. Haydn and I insisted on a quick visit, though Pat was less than enthusiastic. The pumping station houses a pair of magnificent James Watt beam engines.
- South Parade Pier, Southsea
From Eastney it was simply a matter of following the coast road as far as South Parade Pier. The shingle along this section of coast supports a fine collection of specialist plants. From the pier we took the No 23 bus to Portsmouth and Southsea station, for the train home.
The weather was hot and sunny , with the occasional threatening cloud.
21 August 2010: South Parade Pier, Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour (as part of a longer walk)
4.7 km (2.9 miles)
On 21 August 2010 I had a day out on Portsea Island. My main objective was to walk along the route of Portsea section of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal, part of my plan to follow the London to Portsmouth inland waterway proposed during the Napoleonic wars. However, I combined it with walking a short section of the Solent Way, filling in between where I’d left it on 25 July 2009 at South Parade Pier in Southsea, and the Portsmouth Harbour ferry terminal. I was also curious to see Fort Cumberland and wanted to try the ferry across Langstone Harbour to Hayling Island.
For details of the walk, see log for London to Portsmouth, 21 August 2010.
- Spitsand Fort (or Spitbank Fort)
