Emsworth and Warblington

Emsworth is always a lovely place to visit and this walk is an excellent excuse to go there. It can be as little as two miles long or can be extended at either end into Langstone or Emsworth itself;
naturally there are plenty of good places to go for a drink or something to eat. You do need to check
the tide however, it's impassable at high water.

The start of the central part of the walk is at the end of Warblington Road, where it meets the harbour; there's usually plenty of space. Heading west along the coastal park you soon come to Nore Barn
Woods which you skirt keeping near the estuary. It's very tidal here with acres of mudflats that are exposed much of the time attracting many waders and waterfowl, especially in Winter. Once past the woods the path heads south to go around Conigar Point before resuming in a westerly direction towards Langstone which is now visible in the distance.

It's a pleasant walk along the foreshore where the high water strand line is, always worth keeping an eye on. Along this stretch in winter will be plenty of Brent Geese, Redshanks and Oyster Catchers on the mud. In the gutters there will be wigeon and teal, especially where the Warblington Bunny flows out into the harbour. This is an old, local name for a stream and is a favourite spot for wildfowlers who follow the stony bed right out to the main channel keeping well clear of the soft mud either side.

Soon after passing this there is a sea wall and a signed footpath heading inland towards Warblington Cemetery which you need to take to make it a circular route.
This crosses a field that can get quite muddy in winter then enters the cemetery through an Iron gate. The path is well marked through this extensive burial ground that extends to the south and east of the pretty church. It's a rather busy place and fortunately, well looked after, with attractive iron gates at the entrances.

When you reach the road turn right in an easterly direction to return across farmland. These fields make a pleasant change from the coastline; if you look back you'll be able to see the remains of
Warblington Castle towering in the distance like a folly. The path crosses the stream that we saw earlier, drops down into a meadow then enters the north western corner of Nore Barn Wood.

There's plenty of Oak, Ash and Elder here which attract a variety of birdlife including many woodpeckers. Being so close to Emsworth it's a popular spot, especially for dog walkers so not an ideal place to see wildlife but there are plenty of squirrels and butterflies in summer.