Attractions and Places To See around Freshwater - Top 20

Wonderful walk on the cliffs overlooking the sea, wonderful walk

The marshes were once used as salterns for the thriving salt industry. The salterns are first mentioned in 1132, and continued in use until 1865. They were replaced by oyster beds, but are now disused marshland with some enclosing banks. A circular mound 1.2 metres high and 12 metres across is all that remains of a mill, and there is another mound with an overgrown brick structure and rectangular pond of unknown date. Just north of the marshes, in Lower Pennington, are several 18th-century salt boiling houses. The marshes are a site of special scientific interest and an area of outstanding natural beauty. They are part of the New Forest National Park, and in summer are grazed by cattle and ponies owned by New Forest commoners. Part of the marshes behind the sea wall are a national nature reserve managed by English Nature, and a local nature reserve managed by Hampshire County Council. Part of the intertidal mudland is also a nature reserve. The marshes and tidal muds offer a variety of wildlife habitats, which are important for gulls and terns in spring/summer and waders and wildfowl in autumn/winter.

Lymington Reedbeds nature reserve is home to a range of fascinating species. Sea birds are abundant and warblers sing all through the year. Migratory birds return to the reedbeds time after time, and during the winter the reserve come to life with waders and water fowl. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an otter or a water vole. Whether you’re a keen birder or simply looking to reconnect with nature, Lymington Reedbeds Nature Reserve is a wonderful place to visit. In the spring, vibrant marsh-marigold bring a welcome splash of colour to the reserve and the air is filled with the songs of sedge and reed warblers. As autumn arrives, watch migrant birds such as yellow wagtail, swallow and martins build up their food stores and rest among the reeds before they depart for warmer climes.

With Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, (or Alfred Lord Tennyson), to whom this monument is dedicated, we go back in time to the middle of the 19th century, because the poet, who was already a prominent figure at that time, lived from 1809 to 1892. I had to research the term “Poet Laureate” mentioned by mi1994, and of course Wikipedia also knows something about it: “In the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate is the office of a court poet whose job it is to write poems for official occasions and national events.” Tennyson was awarded this honorary office by Queen Victoria in 1850 and raised to the peerage in the same year.

Keen bird watchers this is a must lots of different birds around the area. Great views of the Isle of Wight

This is a terrific place to walk through, with fantastic wetland and sea views all around. Normandy Lagoon (a lake) is a nature reserve adjacent to the Normandy Marsh reserve to the north of it. Lots of wildlife here and very blue (the water) and very green (gorgeous woodlands around). You might need a good jacket as it can get very windy here and in colder months it can be very cold!

A flat route designated cycle route between Yarmouth and Freshwater- most of its gravel, so possibly only for this with suitable tyres.

Beautiful stretch of coastline with a beautiful coastal road