Top 9 Lakes around Highcliffe And Walkford

As others have said, the area around this pond is crucially important for endangered birds from April to August and should be avoided during these months to give the wildlife the time and space it needs to safely raise their babies.

If you're walking with a dog that has a tendency to find mud, I recommend keeping it on a lead on the sea wall if the sea is any distance at all from the wall. Smelly, gloopy mud is present just about anywhere between Lymington and Milford-on-Sea!

Walked to this pond early April. Ground comparatively dry due to very low rainfall in March. No signage seen for nesting birds.

A unique and beautiful sand spit which adjoins the ancient headland of Hengistbury Head and forms a natural barrier between Christchurch Harbour and the open sea. The area is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Access by foot, bike or land train from Hengistbury Head car park. Access by passenger ferry from Mudeford Quay and Christchurch Quay. There are 5 public toilet blocks, one with hot showers. Outside cold showers are also provided. Horses are not permitted on the seashore between the Saturday preceding Easter Monday and the 30th September (both dates inclusive) in any year between 10am and 9pm. Due to being so close to Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve, BBQs are not allowed at Mudeford Sandbank Beach. Open fires, fire pits and fire bowls are not permitted at any time on the beach, promenade, cliffs, cliff tops or woodland areas. The beach is surrounded by unique cliff habitats which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and provide a home to many of the UK’s rare species of reptiles, birds and insects. Their dry nature means they are vulnerable and sparks from open fires can cause huge damage.

An absolute treasure of a walk on the perfect weathered day. views across dorset, hampshire and the isle of wight.

Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes is a beautiful area of coastline. The internationally important coastal marshes and mudflats are teeming with fish and, as a result, thousands of sea birds and waders flock here. The Trust leases the offshore coastal marsh and mudflats to help protect this unique and historical coastal habitat. Covering nearly 740 hectares between the mouth of the Lymington River and the village of Keyhaven, this coastal reserve offers fantastic views across the Solent to Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight. Although this is our largest nature reserve, it is not one for exploring but for admiring the stunning vistas. Visit in the spring to see arriving migrant birds such as wheatear, swallow and tern. Vast numbers of black-headed gull can be found nesting on the islands among the mudflats and open water. Out at sea, cormorant dive for fish beneath the waves. Listen to the distinctive high-pitched sounds of redshank and oystercatcher as they wade through the marshes, looking for crustaceans, fish and molluscs to feed on. In summer, discover specialist, salt-tolerant plants among the shingle banks on Hurst Spit. Yellow horned-poppy, sea campion and sea aster flourish here, surviving the salt spray carried on the breeze.

A wonderful place to have a picnic or read a book in the summer. Please keep in mind that curious horses may come and take a look

Lower Pennington is a local nature reserve mainly for waterfowl. Otherwise, it's a fantastic place for walkers of any kind: wide and comfortable path and beautiful views of Isle of Wight in the distance towards the coast.