Northney Ramble

 This is a pleasant ramble around the northern part of Hayling Island that includes some splendid views and varied terrain. It's about five miles, fairly flat, so it's easy going but a bit tricky in places as some of the

paths are not well marked.

The start is in the little car park, just past the bridge on the right hand side opposite the petrol station. From here there's a lovely panorama stretching from the bridge to the east to the remains of the Hayling Billy railway line to the west; in summer there are plenty of yachts moored to add to the interest. The walk starts by taking the well marked path to the old railway line and following it south past the West Hayling Nature reserve.

It's not difficult to imagine what the line was like before it's closure in 1963. Linking the main line at Havant to the seaside it would have been busy during the summer, full of excited holiday makers. Little tank engines pulled four coaches at a time across Bridge Lake chuffing away, blowing out clouds of steam.

Like all railway walks it's straight and and easy to follow. When you reach another car park turn left, cross the main road (carefully, it's busy!) to take the track that's heading east. At the end of the houses there's a footpath, head right for a short distance the continue east through fields until you reach Northney. Don't go as far as the graveyard, keep to the right and the main road just south of the church.

Turn right for a short while until you reach St Peters Avenue on the left, take this road and follow it up to the Riding stables at the end. Here there's a gap in the hedge which you can take that leads down to the harbour and the Emsworth Channel. You may not find this marked on your OS map to take care, its relatively new. Unfortunately there's only a short stretch of path that's accessible to walk along the sea wall but the views south, over Gutner Marsh and north, up to Emsworth make up for it. 

Wooden railings across the path clearly mark how far you can venture, go right up to these, cross the stream and then follow the path between fields that leads back to the Main Street. Here you have a choice, either go through the church yard to follow a footpath back as shown on the map or take the road which gives you the opportunity to visit Northney Farm where you can get a cup of tea amongst other things. 

Where the footpath meets the road there's a pond which usually has a few Mallard on it, take the track here

that goes west from the road and continues on as a footpath. This leads past the back of another riding stables (popular on Hayling!) then heads north up to the Garage, by the bridge, at the start of the walk.

Fishbourne Meadows

 The head of the harbour at Fishbourne is one of the most interesting parts of the harbour as are the

adjacent meadows; this short walk of just over two miles covers them both. 

Whilst you could start from the north by parking near the pond it's much easier to use the little car park near St Mary's church at Apuldram that's well marked and usually has free space. There's a pleasant path leading past the little riding school to the churchyard where you bear left across a field to the harbour. Please keep dogs on a lead to respect the graves that you pass through; there's some interesting ones

there from the Second World War including a flying boat pilot.

The harbour has many moods dependant upon the weather and tides. At times it's just an expanse of mud, at high water springs it's almost covered with water with the moored yachts floating happily instead of leaning at unnatural angles. Heading north you're soon on the sea wall and passing over the outfall of the Lavant which follows a winding channel out to the sea. This is not to be confused with the sewage farm outlet which is underground.

This channel is a favourite spot for wildfowl that like to preen themselves in the fresh water; there's usually mallard and swans, in winter many more migrants.

The sea wall winds around and protects a small meadow that juts out into the harbour; at the end it's possible to climb down onto the marsh. Here, there are fine views of the northern part of this arm of the harbour which is a favourite roosting site for Dunlin, Lapwing and other waders. In the middle are the remains of a tidal mill that stood there, it's ponds are now reed-beds, an important and increasingly rare habitat. 

The path follows another stream leading out into the channel, at the end head out across the field towards the other church and the meadow. These meadows are regularly grazed by cattle preserving some particularly interesting flowers, in particular orchids and Chequered Fritillaries. In spring it's a haven for butterflies, especially orange tip. 

The stream that flows along the side of the meadow adds interest and is a

favourite playing ground for children in the school holidays, there's not much life in it but it's fine for poo sticks. The pond that's nearby attracts plenty of Mallard so you'll often see them flying overhead along with Kestrels and even a Barn Owl if you're lucky.

Returning to the harbour there are fine views towards Dell Quay; closer by the hedgerows are magnets for songbirds. The overgrown areas you

pass on the return to St Mary's provide cover for deer that often venture near the paths even though they are so popular with walkers. 

Although it's only 2.3 miles long it's a charming walk which provides more opportunity than most to see interesting bird and plant life, remember to take your binoculars!