Havems one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

The route follows 2 established trails - the Hayling Billy Trail and the Solent Way.
You start from the South Entrance of Havant station and head East along the full length of the car park, crossing the road at the end to access the Hayling Billy trail.
The route follows the trail past the old station (now a community centre) then turns East over a wooden bridge that crosses the chalk stream running along the East side of the trail. Follow that between 2 fields with horses in each and through a stile at the end, then bear south and follow the path through a hollow way until you join the Solent Way at the edge of Langstone Harbour.
Although the path heading east towards Emsworth is shown on OS Maps as running above the high water mark, in reality it is overgrown and blocked, and the path actually runs along the beach for about 400m until you pass a track heading inland. At that point, there is a concrete path running parallel to the shore above the high water mark. This path continues along the coast as far as emsworth, but the route turns inland at a well-signposted kissing gate, heading North-East across a field to go through Warblington church's cemetery. Head north as you enter the graveyard, then turn East at the signpost and follow the Solent Way signs through the graveyard, along the lane that passes to the South of the Church, and continue straight on through more kissing gates until the path reaches the coast again. From there it's an easy hike along an elevated concrete path past Emsworth sailing club, along the side of the tidal lagoon and past the Slipper restaurant on the quayside into Emsworth.
Here the path does not continue straight ahead up the street and into town, but heads East over the beach for approx 100m until you reach a hidden set of steps leading up to a narrow lane. Follow this as it bends to the right, then continue until it meets another, bigger street. Head north at this point until you meet the high street, where you turn NE and head thrpugh the square and follow the signs for the station. There is an underpass providing a safe route under the A259.
Emsworth and Havant are both on the Southampton - Brighton line, and for those not wanting to walk the route in both directions, there are regular trains back to Havant.
The first section, from the station to the coastal path, is accessible, as is the last section within Emsworth, but the middle section, where the path follows the Solent Way along the coast, is not.
This route is walkable in trainers, although the beach sections are stony and the inland sections can be muddy after rain, so boots can offer more support if you don't have strong ankles, and although the route is extremely flat, walking poles can offer support across the beach or on muddy sections.
Walking at a normal pace, this walk should take about 1.5 - 2 hours to complete.
There are cafes and refreshments available in both Havant and Emsworth, so you don't need to pack a lot of food and drink.
Bear in mind, though, that the wind coming off the sea can be a bit fresh, so a lightweight waterproof jacket will keep out both wind and rain and ensure you have a pleasant walk.
Oh, and this route is identical to Havems 2 - it's the same route!.

The coastal section West of Pooks Lane is impassable at high tide.

Lovely start to the walk at Emsworth and through the Harbour, there are many small cafes and restaurants and a few shops to stock up if needed.

Pavement all the way through the village and harbour and along the foreshore until Church Lane where it turns into a dirt track. There are a number of kissing gates along this route, which may restrict pushchair / wheelchair access and a short area where you go along a shingle beach (the original concrete footpath is eroded), before returning to pavement for the rest of the walk into Havant.

This is a safe route, with very little car traffic once past the crossing in Emsworth village, lived in the area for many years and it's the first time for this walk; will definitely do it again.

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