St Margarets Creek

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Hampshire New Forest

England

St Margarets Creek

Farm Track and Bridleway A bit smart for just a bridleway, this is also a drive to East Hill Farm. — Farm Track and Bridleway Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

St Margarets Creek is a picturesque coastal marsh located in Hampshire, England. Nestled within the scenic region of the New Forest National Park, it is renowned for its diverse ecosystem and stunning natural beauty. The creek is formed by the convergence of several streams and rivers, including the Beaulieu River and the Lymington River, before flowing into the Solent, a strait separating the Isle of Wight from mainland England.

The marshland surrounding St Margarets Creek is known as a saltings, a term used to describe an area of coastal marshes that are periodically flooded by tidal waters. This unique environment provides a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, including various species of salt-tolerant plants, migratory birds, and marine life.

Visitors to St Margarets Creek can explore the area on foot using the network of footpaths and trails that wind through the marshes. The marshland offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with grazing cattle and wild ponies often seen in the distance.

Aside from its natural beauty, St Margarets Creek holds historical significance, as evidence of Roman salt production has been discovered in the area. Salt was a valuable commodity during Roman times, and the marshes were used to extract salt from seawater through evaporation.

Overall, St Margarets Creek in Hampshire is a haven for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking tranquility in a breathtaking coastal landscape.

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St Margarets Creek Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.782618/-1.395427 or Grid Reference SZ4298. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farm Track and Bridleway

A bit smart for just a bridleway, this is also a drive to East Hill Farm.

Des Blenkinsopp

Footpath to Cump Copse

Public footpath through farmland near Exbury.

Des Blenkinsopp

Old Barn at Lepe Farm

Part of a group of farm buildings and houses at Lepe Farm.

Des Blenkinsopp

Lepe Farm

Lepe is described by Wikipedia as a linear hamlet. Since medieval times it has been part of the parish of Exbury and Lepe. Link

Des Blenkinsopp

Three Stones, Barn

The map calls this Three Stones, I'm not sure why. Two Sheds would be a better name because all that's here is this place and another one much the same off to my right.

Des Blenkinsopp

High Tide at Exbury

The water comes right up to the road at this point.

Des Blenkinsopp

Old Stick In The Mud

Often used derogatively for someone who is a bit grumpy and set in their ways, in this case it can be taken at face value. Mudflats are very good at preserving old remains of long gone structures.

Des Blenkinsopp

House and Footpath Sign

Down by the estuary here, the sign points out the two options for walking by the coast, along the shore when the tide is out or down the road when it's not. The house is one of a number of isolated properties outside Exbury village which make up the scattered parish of Exbury and Lepe.

Des Blenkinsopp

Coastal Footpath at Lepe

There is no path as such for some of the way, but most of the time you can walk along the top of the shoreline fairly easily. High tides can put parts of the route underwater though.

Des Blenkinsopp

Crumbling Coastline at Lepe

You can see the soft sandy stuff that makes up the cliffs along here. It is eroded very easily.

Des Blenkinsopp

Exbury House

River Beaulieu at Salternshill from the grounds of Exbury House, Hampshire

Phil Brandon Hunter

Aldermoor

Land south of Exbury named on the map as Aldermoor.

Des Blenkinsopp

Coastal Protection at Lepe

The soft coastline is eroding. Protection here is provided by some fairly low key timberwork unlike nearby locations where more heavy duty concrete and boulders are used to try to limit the damage.

Des Blenkinsopp