Favourite Walks - Hamstead by Steve Edmonds

There are a lot of people to keep happy in our family. The kids love the beach, my wife Sarah – open fields and ancient oaks, Scooby – bunny-rabbits…and I’m a sucker for creeks, wading birds and board-walks.

The Hamstead walk has it all.

It will take 1 ½ – 2 hours and if you have not done the walk before – then you are in for a real treat.

The walk starts from the car park (1) 50m up Hamstead Drive – a gravel lane off the A3054 just 500m to the East of the Horse and Groom in Shalfleet.

Once parked up, head north up Hamstead Drive which is marked by footpath signs as “the Coastal Path S27”. (2)

After just 200m you will get your first great views as you cross the bridge over Ningwood Lake – the most westerly of the Newtown Creek “fingers”. If the tide is in it looks like classic Swallows and Amazons territory…and if out, you are sure to spot snowy Igrets scouring the mad banks. (3)

Continue up the lane and after Pigeon Coo farm branch right onto the Hamstead trail which will lead you to Lower Hamstead farm with the jetty and Newtown Creek just beyond. The views from here are stunning – wading birds and yachts together seek the haven of this picturesque natural harbour. (4)

From here the footpath leads around the creek, over board-walks, across styles and open fields with more great views to the right over the creek. (5/6/7)

For me the climax to the walk is the sudden reveal of the blue waters of the Solent as you emerge from a wood out onto the beach. It is breath-taking. (8)

You are now at the half way point of the walk. To the right, the beach will take you to the mouth of Newtown Creek – a great place to sit and watch the passing Yachting traffic.
To the left, heading westwards, (9) follow the beach until you reach a crumbling concrete slope emerging out of the sea. This is the old WW2 tank ramp – a good spot for a snack break and to sit and enjoy the views over to the mainland. (10)

From here the path back to the car park is very straightforward. (11) It will take you up to Hamstead Farm, where once again the views looking back over the Creek are fantastic, (12) and then heads due South along Hamstead Drive, through woodland and back over the creek bridge to the Car Park.

There is no more pleasurable a way to spend a couple of hours.

Top tip – the walk is at its most impressive at High Tide so try and plan your trip accordingly.