Waterside Lifestyle

Getting out and about from the River Hamble

If you are planning to visit the Hamble Valley via the river and want to find out what's on in the local area, make sure you visit the Village Tea Rooms found at the top of Hamble High Street. The Visitor Information point can provide you with free literature and advice about events and places to visit locally. This includes the useful mini guide to what is going on in the area, with a calender of local events and listing of local attractions.

There are good local bus and train services from Hamble allowing you to explore the Hamble penninsular and attractions with ease.

By dinghy; It is possible, on a favourable tide, to take a small boat up river as far as Botley village. This takes you through the unspoilt upper reaches of the river, home to abundant bird and wildlife. Enroute the popular Jolly Sailor Pub at Bursledon has a pontoon for visitors. Further up, Manor Farm Country Park, about 1⁄2 mile above the M27 road bridge is worth a visit to explore the park's woodland, and visit Manor Farm, the Victorian working farm very popular with children. About one mile beyond the river forks, the main part bending to the left as it continues to Botley. Botley flour mills marks the limit of salt water. The right hand goes as far as the Horse and Jockey pub at Curbridge, which can be navigated at high tide.

By foot; Hamble village has plenty of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms offering a range of good food and refreshments, a delicatessen (who will prepare packed lunches and ready meals), convenience store, post office and a variety of other shops. Royal Victoria Country Park is 2 miles from Hamble on the banks of Southampton Water, with large open spaces for games and picnics, children's play area, Royal Victoria miniature railway, a sculpture trail and café. Many events are held here and also worth visiting whilst in the park is the heritage exhibition in Netley Chapel. The ruins of 13th century Netley Abbey lie 1⁄2 mile beyond the country park. Admission is free. Explore Hampshire's only working windmill, Bursledon Windmill, off the A27 west from Bursledon bridge, open whenever the sails are turning.


By bus; Solent Blue Line bus route 9/9A, dubbed the Strawberry route, calls at Hamble and stops near all four country parks, Netley Abbey, Pickwell Farm, Bursledon Windmill, M&S/Sainsbury Hedge End, West End Museum and The Hampshire Rose Bowl enroute to Eastleigh (to visit The Point, Beatrice Royal and Concorde Club, Eastleigh Lakeside Railway, Eastleigh Museum and Fleming Park Leisure Centre and on to Winchester.
From the marinas;
Swanwick and Universal Marinas: 9A/129 (nearest stop Lowford)
Port Hamble, Hamble Point and Mercury Marinas: 9A/129 (nearest stop Hamble Square)
Hamble Harbour Office: ferry from Warsash-Hamble then 9A/129
www.solentblueline.com


By train; Hamble train station is just over one mile from the village, along Hamble Lane, with hourly services to Southampton, Fareham and Portsmouth, stopping at Netley and Bursledon (each 2-3 minutes stop away) if you want to explore the Hamble Peninsula further. From Netley station visit Royal Victoria Country Park and Royal Victoria Railway plus Netley Chapel and Netley Abbey. From Bursledon station visit Bursledon Windmill. www.traveline.org.uk www.swtrains.co.uk



If you need a taxi/private hire car from/to Hamble telephone;
Marilyn Cars 023 8045 2900
Easy Carz 07710 543 566
Phipps Taxis 0700 234 5678


For a river taxi service, telephone Hamble-Warsash ferry, who also run a ferry across Hamble river to/from Hamble Quay-Warsash Hard, on 023 8045 4512 www.hamble-warsashferry.co.uk



There are two banks in Hamble village plus cashpoint facilities at Tesco stores, Bursledon on Hamble Lane (just under 3 miles).



For details of yachting courses, clubs and schools, telephone the Royal Yachting Association on 0845 345 0400. RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, SO31 4YA (from Easter 2003) www.rya.org.uk

For details of canoeing and windsurfing clubs and courses, fishing and model boating at Lakeside Country Park, telephone 023 8061 7882. Lakeside Country Park, Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PE

Purchase day fishing permits for Lakeside Country Park at Eastleigh at the Eastleigh Angling Centre, Market Street, Eastleigh, telephone 023 80 65 3540.

For details of water based activities for people with special needs, telephone 023 8040 4844. Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Manor Farm Country Park, Pylands Lane, Bursledon SO31 1BH