A very different New Forest Walk

Perhaps a longer drive than usual to do this 9.5 mile circular walk, starting and finishing at the The Jolly Sailor pub at Ashlett Creek. If you do make the effort and join us, you will be rewarded by one of the best walks in the New Forest area and a personal favourite. Featuring a scenic 4 mile coastal walk at high tide, offering great views over the busy shipping areas of Southampton water, the Solent towards Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. We also visit historic Calshot spit, which is home to a coastal artillery fort constructed in 1540 by Henry V111 as well as Calshot Activity Centre.  Which uses the old aircraft hangars used to maintain and repair flying boats when it was both an RAF and Royal Naval Air Station. Calshot also hosted the 1929 and 1931 Schneider trophy races, with T E LAWRENCE of Lawrence of Arabia fame assisting with the 1929 event. Coffee will be taken by the Activity Centre overlooking the sea and loos are available inside.

We then walk along the spit past numerous multi coloured beach huts, before a short section by the road and enter the New Forest proper over land owned by the Cadland estate. Before walking onto Badmiston Common and enjoy lunch overlooking a local fishery known as Mopley Pond. After lunch we take in the scenic views of the Forest before heading back to The Jolly Sailor.

Please note that the pub offers breakfast from 0900hrs(see photo 4 for the breakfast menu) as well as free parking, on the proviso that we go in and buy a drink at the end. Over 4hrs parking in New Forest car parks now costs £8, so its really important that the pub is supported.