Historic Sites
Below Botley, the river becomes tidal and navigable. It gains strength from adjoining streams, draining the surrounding areas of Hedge End, Curdridge, Shedfield and Burridge.
This section has been extensively used for medieval shipbuilding, using timber grown locally in the neighbouring woods. Nearby Kings Copse, formerley Kings Forest, indicates the former importance of this area.
The river's west bank can be accessed from Manor Farm Country Park, where it is possible to walk through Dock Copse and Fosters Copse. At extreme low tide, it is just possible to see the remains of the wreck of Henry V's 15 century warship HMS Grace Dieu. This section of the river was also home to HMS Cricket during World War II.
Some 2 miles (3 km) south of Botley, the river passes between the villages of Bursledon and Lower Swanwick and is crossed by the M27 motorway, the Portsmouth to Southampton railway line and the A27 road on three substantial bridges.
Read more about this topic: River Hamble, Botley To Bursledon (tidal)
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