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Following the shore-line from the Royal Victoria Country Park to Hamble Point - W to E
Hamble Cliff & Hamblecliff House / Sydney Lodge
Along the shore from the Royal Victoria Country Park, past Netley Sailing Club, is Hamble Cliff and above this raised bank is Hamble Cliff House. It faces a slipway originally belonging to British Marine (Folland Aircraft Ltd, British Areospace and later Aerostructures Hamble).
Hamblecliff House - Henry Philip Folland, Technical Director of Folland Aircraft Ltd.
In 1934 British Marine had bought Sydney lodge at Hamble, a late 18th century mansion and home of the Yorke family, in 1936, together with Cliff House for its access to Southampton Water. On the land a huge new factory was built with a slipway.
The intention was to licence build Sikorsky S-42 four-engined flying boats but the scheme and the Company failed financially and the first aircraft was never completed. Eventually the Company was refinanced and its new name, Folland Aircraft Ltd, was approved in December 1937.
Follands GNAT - After a review of Folland's proposals, an initial contract for 14 modified Gnat trainers was issued in 7 January 1958. The Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer served in the RAF with the designation Gnat T Mk 1.
It was notable as the demonstration aircraft of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team 1964 - 1979, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, appearing at major events and Air Shows.
Hamble Cliff House & Sydney Lodge and its stables are Grade II listed buildings
Hamble Cliff House & WWII Observatory
Hamble Cliff House, Westfield Common is now privately owned as residential flats. Within its grounds near the brow of the cliff is a WWII Observatory. Most of the structure is still intact due to its position.
Westfield Common
Near the shore-line of Westfield Common is a WWII battery observation post. It is completely sealed to prevent investigation but is still a reminder of its use as it faces out over the Southampton Water.
Hamble Common - scheduled Ancient Monument
Hamble Common and Copse together form a 48 acre site at the end of the Hamble peninsula between Southampton Water and the Hamble estuary. This area of coastal heath has special scientific interest and is managed by the Countryside Service of Eastleigh Borough Council.
Much of this area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its wide range of habitats. By following the way marked trail the visitor can discover heathland, woodland, meadow, salt-marsh, mudflats and a shingle beach. Along the shore are the remains of Iron-age settlements, a Tudor castle and a Napoleonic gun battery. Together with the second world-war gun, these provide clues to the fascinating history of the common, which is also a scheduled Ancient Monument.
St Andrew’s Castle - 'At Hamble Point there formerly stood a castle' – Tudor.
It was built on the Hamble foreshore, to protect the waters of The Solent, as a small artillery castle with a high rectangular keep and a low semi-circular bulwark which contained parapets and a gun platform. It was surrounded by a 25m wide moat.
All that remains of the castle are fragments of masonry and a break-water on the Hamble shore line. Investigation on the shore revealed traces of masonry, a moat and a break-water on sea-wall.
19th Century Gun Battery - Napoleonic
Close to the castle foundations, situated on the shoreline are the remains of a 19th Century gun battery. The battery is partly enclosed by an L-shaped bank, within which are the remains of three brick stone built structures. These comprise an earth-covered magazine; the foundation of a barrack block; and the foundations and floor of a gun platform, part of which has been eroded by the sea.
WWII Anti-Aircraft Bofors Gun
At Hamble Point there is sited an anti-aircraft Bofors gun, which was positioned there to protect Southampton and the nearby oil terminals during WWII. The original gun was removed after the war ended and was replaced with another donated by the Ministry of Defence in 1988.
Hamble Point
At the mouth to the River Hamble, Hamble Point overlooks Southampton Water and has views out to The Solent. Its position takes advantage of shipping passing on Southampton Water and yachts entering or leaving the River Hamble on a day’s racing or out for a cruise. The Isle of Wight ferries and Hydrofoil are the daily visitors passing Hamble Point.
Looking due south you can see Calshot Castle which is managed by (English Heritage).
Henrician Castles in Hampshire
Hurst Castle – Built in 1541-44
Netley Castle – Built in 1542-45
St Andrews Castle – Built in 1543-44
Calshot Castle managed by English Heritage – Built in 1539-40
Southsea Castle – Built on 1538-44
The Solent Way – Southampton Water
Following the shore-line of Netley and Hamble is The Solent Way. The Solent Way is a 60-mile long-distance coastal walking route that will take you from the seaside town of Milford-on-Sea past the hustle and bustle of seafronts, quiet yachting harbours, deserted marshland and saltings to finish at Emsworth Harbour. No other path is so awash with naval history.
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