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The Waterside is a collection of villages, each with its own unique character.
Some on the edge of the New Forest, others nestle along the shoreline
of Southampton Water.
HYTHE
At the heart of the Waterside is Hythe, a very active
community. Hythe is a busy shopping centre with ample parking. A wide selection
of goods are on offer, from national names such as Waitrose and Boots
to family owned businesses including a traditional piemaker and two bakers
(sadly no candle-stick maker!)
Steeped in maritime history both ancient and modern, Hythe has witnessed
the maiden voyages of many majestic liners from the Titanic in 1912, through
the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth in the thirties, to the QE2 and
the Oriana, and more recently; Queen Mary 2 and The Freedom of the Seas.
A visit to Hythe will give you a superb view of the modern
liners coming in and out of port, especially the QE2 which berths almost
opposite Hythe Marina. At such times a visit to Hythe is not complete
without a ride up the pier on its unique electric train and a ferry trip to Southampton just a stone’s throw away.
In
the 1930s Hythe was the home of the British Power Boat Company, specialising
in producing high-speed craft. Our most famous resident TE Lawrence (Lawrence
of Arabia) lived in Hythe whilst helping to test the RAF 200 Series powerboats.
Boat number 206 has been restored and trips will be available on her this
summer.
Hythe also is the birthplace of the
hovercraft. Design and resting were carried out at The Grove in St John’s
Street and its inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell lived in the village.
Sir Christopher died in 1999.
Visitors camping in the forest will appreciate
Hythe’s launderette, as well as a proper hardware store and electrical
shops. The village also boasts a good selection of places to eat, and
a variety of shops to browse for that something a little bit different
— clothing, a gift or items for the home.
ELING
The ancient Eling Tide Mill is now restored and producing flour as it
has for centuries. One of the few remaining Toll Bridges in England has
to be crossed for a modest fee to reach the Church of St Mary set high
on Fling Hill.
MARCHWOOD
Home of the Royal Corps of Transport and yet still a small country village
with leafy lanes and arguably one of the prettiest pubs in the area.
DIBDEN
Dibden boasts the first church to be bombed during World War II. Now lovingly
restored, it is very much the heart of the community.
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| Millstones at Eling Tide Mill |
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| Pilgrim Inn at Marchwood |
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| Fawley Refinery at Sunset |
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FAWLEY
The hamlet that gives its name to the largest oil refinery in England
Europe—a spectacular sight in the night sky. The village retains
its charm with a 12th century church and a quiet lane leading
to Ashlett Creek, a haven for walkers and yachtsmen.
CALSHOT
With its long shingle spit dotted with beach huts, Calshot has panoramic
views of the Isle of Wight and is much favoured by windsurfers. At the
far end of the spit stands Calshot Castle; built by Henry VIII, it is
now in the hands of English Heritage and open to the public. Visitors
to the castle will pass the activity centre with its indoor sports facilities,
housed in former RAF seaplane hangars from which Spitfire designer RJ
Mitchell’s Supermarine won the Schneider Trophy in 1931.
LEPE
Lepe has a fine sandy beach, again with views across The Solent to the
Isle of Wight, with a country park for picnicking and walking.
EXBURY
Famous for its ornamental gardens, Exbury is the home of the Rothschild
family. The house played an important part in secret plans for the D Day
landings when it was used as a base for military operations. Neville Shute
describes the wartime atmosphere at Exbury in his novel Requiem for
a Wren.
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| Calshot Castle |
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| Exbury Bloom |
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| Lepe Beach |
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(Text taken from a leaflet produced
by Leisure Services, New Forest District Council |
