Afton Marsh

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Hampshire

England

Afton Marsh

Site of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival 50 years later View from East Afton Down towards East Afton Farm with the site in between. The photo was taken exactly 50 years after the first day of the Festival whose performers included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Ten Years After, Chicago, The Moody Blues, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Jethro Tull and Supertramp. — Site of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival 50 years later Credit: Paul Coueslant

Afton Marsh, located in Hampshire, is a picturesque coastal marshland encompassing the Afton River and its surrounding areas. Spanning an area of approximately 70 hectares, this marshland is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, making it an important ecological site.

The marsh is primarily composed of salt marshes and saltings, which are characterized by their unique vegetation and high salt content. These habitats are formed due to the proximity of the marsh to the sea, allowing tidal waters to flow in regularly and deposit silt and sediment. As a result, the marsh supports a variety of salt-tolerant plants, such as sea lavender, sea aster, and cordgrass.

Afton Marsh is not only a haven for plant life but also provides a vital habitat for various bird species. It serves as a breeding ground and a wintering site for several migratory birds, including curlews, redshanks, and little egrets. These birds rely on the marsh's rich food resources, such as small fish and invertebrates, for their survival.

Besides its ecological significance, Afton Marsh also offers recreational opportunities for visitors. The marsh provides an idyllic setting for walking, birdwatching, and immersing oneself in the tranquility of nature. Several trails and viewing points are available to allow visitors to explore the marshland while minimizing disturbance to its delicate ecosystem.

Overall, Afton Marsh in Hampshire is a valuable coastal marshland, harboring a diverse range of plant and bird species. Its ecological importance, combined with its recreational offerings, make it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

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Afton Marsh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.675277/-1.5116384 or Grid Reference SZ3486. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Site of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival 50 years later

View from East Afton Down towards East Afton Farm with the site in between. The photo was taken exactly 50 years after the first day of the Festival whose performers included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Ten Years After, Chicago, The Moody Blues, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Jethro Tull and Supertramp.

Paul Coueslant

Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay has formed in a break in the chalk cliffs. The rocks shown here are at the SE corner of the bay, viewed from the promenade - Stag Rock, Arched Rock & Mermaid Rock (right to left). A cave is also visible. A fishing boat is moored. Photo taken in June or July 1973. Arched Rock subsequently collapsed in 1992.

Ian Taylor

Walkers on Tennyson Down

Paul Coueslant

Grazing above Freshwater Bay

Paul Coueslant

Bus terminus, Freshwater Bay â 1978

Southern Vectis was the principal operator on the island from the 1930s having come under control of the Southern Railway in 1929. By 1978 it was part of the National Bus Company. Bus 673, a Bristol VR with ECW bodywork, is seen in the standard NBC livery of leaf green, and is representative of what was effectively the standard NBC double deck bus of the period. It is parked at the entrance to the Freshwater Bay Golf Club on Southdown Road waiting for its return to Sandown. This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Link

Alan Murray-Rust