Southampton Water

The Coastal Heritage Project extends beyond the established boundaries of the New Forest National Park. Boundaries are only perceived and created by humans; the sea however does not need them. As a result the New Forest inter-tidal zone merges easily with the inter-tidal zone on the west side of Southampton Water.  These photos show a selection of some of the rich coastal heritage that can be found outside the National Park and the archaeology that is all around us.

One of the world’s last operational tide mills that has been on this site for over 900 years and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.<br><br> <b>Click on the image to view the map</b>Eling Creek is very popular mooring place for modern pleasure craft, but it also has a shipbuilding and timber trade heritage due to its proximity to the Forest. This Hulk currently lies in the middle of the channel and is visible at all stages of the tide. <br><br><b>Click on the image to view the map</b>The heritage and modern uses of Southampton Water lie side by side. World War II remains in the foreground are dwarfed by Ocean Cruise and Cargo vessels that use the port of Southampton. The shoreline between Marchwood and Hythe has a large amount of abandoned vessels including 36 Beetles. Beetles were the code name for the concrete and steel floats that supported the roads connecting the Mulberry Harbours with the Normandy Beaches. They were capable of supporting 56 tons (25 tons being the weight of a tank).A good example of the cyclical nature of History is the use of WWII beetles and barges as coastal defence; as both direct protection and the encouragement of deposition. But even WWII Concrete and Iron cannot outlast the relentless ravages of the seaAs well as the WWII Beetles there are other abandoned craft, this currently un-researched wooden hulk pictured at high tide looking towards NetleyThe Wooden Hulk with another abandoned metal barge visible in the background. These were all likely to be cargo vessels plying Southampton WaterThe modern movement of cargo and people up and down Southampton WaterAlongside the WWII beetles other versions of coastal defence are also starting to show the ravages of the relentless seaThe coast between Hythe and Marchwood contains a high concentration of natural and manmade debris.

Looking after