Hurst Castle spit and Lymington marshes

Hurst castle is 2 miles long, a spit at the eastern end of the Solent, famous for its castle built by Henry VIII and extended during WWII to protect the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. The shingle is well trod by countless tourists who walk across the rounded flints, cherts and sandstones to each the English heritage site. To the north is the extensive Lymington marshes, small creeks, extensive mudflats, a haven for birds. The marshes face severe erosion, from waves and humankind. They are a protected SSSI site and no wonder why. Truly stunning scenery.

And having taught this as a case study on and off for thirty years, it was rather nice to visit it for the first time.

Lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's cottage at end of the spit

A little ferry plies between Lymington and the end of the spit

Hurst Castle: Henry VIII castle, extended during Napoleonic wars, First World war and WWII

Relics from WWII

Shells for the 38 tonne guns

WWII lighthouse

WWII ablutions block

The 38 tonne guns

Creeks and mudflats, an ecological haven and a SSSI site and National Nature Reserve