Keyhaven Marshes

Start: Keyhaven green bus stop, SO41 0TG, Grid Ref: SZ 304 916

(S/E) From the bus stop continue along Keyhaven Road towards the coast. Take your first left onto a no through road directly opposite the Gun Inn. Pass Keyhaven public car park and toilets on your right and follow alongside the harbour wall to cross the mouth of Avon Water. Turn right at a waymarker post signed 'Solent Way Lymington' and through the gate.

(1) Go past an information panel and follow the gravel path along the top of the sea wall. Be aware that cyclists also share this footpath. At this point, there are good views across the saltmarsh to Hurst Spit, and Hurst Castle and lighthouse.

(2) Continue following the Solent Way along the sea wall. Please keep dogs under close control and stay on the footpath to reduce disturbance to wildlife, in particular nesting, roosting and feeding birds.
Continue along the sea wall from which there are good views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles, the site of many a wrecked ship. On your left is Fishtail Lagoon with a large bird nesting island in the middle. A grassy track drops down on your left to an information panel and a gate to access the edge of this lagoon. This is a good point to watch birds and then continue on the upper gravel track.

(3) Continue ahead alongside Fishtail Lagoon. At the end of this lagoon there is a path leading off to your left down steps following alongside a wide-cut channel. Ignore this path and continue following the path ahead which bends to your right. Where the path turns left there is grassy area on top of the steep sea wall where you can rest and admire the views. Continue walking alongside the lagoon towards the pipe line and jetty.

(4) Turn left opposite the jetty and follow along a wide gravel track, taking the upper path when the track splits, which takes you inland across the reserve to a small car park at the end of Lower Pennington Lane. This track goes through grassland and scrub on a reclaimed landfill site. Go through the wooden gate, beside an information panel, and turn left through the car park and past a wide gate to continue along the footpath.

(5) Follow an ancient highway alongside Efford Landfill Site. This site has now been reclaimed and landscaped with a large lake. The path goes between two hedgerows, which act as a natural screen to watch wildlife. In early summer listen for stonechats, often seen perched on gorse, which make a loud 'tchack' alarm call like the sound of two pebbles being knocked together.

(6) Ignore two paths on your right and go past a wide wooden gate to join a single track road. Follow along the road to the walk start and retrace your steps back past the Gun Inn and to the bus stop. (S/E)

Start: Keyhaven green bus stop, SO41 0TG, Grid Ref: SZ 304 916

Ordnance Survey map: Explorer OL 22 New Forest

Getting there: New Forest Tour – blue route (seasonal sightseeing bus).

Local facilities: Keyhaven public car park, toilets and Gun Inn.

Accessibility: Easy walk along level ground. Two gates with accessible latches.

Note: Please be aware of the New Forest Code when walking in the National Park.]

Find more information and walks at New Forest National Park here.

Outside the sea wall the mudflats and saltmarsh are rich feeding and roosting grounds for many bird species. These form part of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes reserve. The winter is when the largest number of wading birds can be seen visiting, including wigeon, redshanks and curlews. In the summer, the salt marshes are important breeding grounds for birds such as terns and gulls. In spring and autumn look out for spoonbills, large white wading birds. You’ll know when you see one – the clue is in the name!