Hamble Rail Trail
The Hamble Rail Trail is a 4.5 mile (7.2km) long circular footpath running alongside a disused railway track built during the First World War. Originally intended to transport aircrafts to Hamble-le-Rice the main use of the line was transporting oil to and from the BP oil terminal in Hamble. The line has not been used since 1986 when BP installed a 56 mile (90km) long pipeline.
Also on the plaque there is a female White-tailed Bumblebee and Oxeye Daisies. There are currently 24 species of Bumblebee in the UK. Unlike honeybees they do not make honey as the Queens hibernate during the colder months. Find out more about White-tailed Bumblebees on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website.
Oxeye daisies are a native perennial, which usually flower from May – September. They are very popular with pollinating insects including bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
This is the fifth marker post on the Hamble Peninsula Trails. From here it is a 45 minute walk or 20 minute cycle north west along the Principal Trail to Netley Abbey.
In the opposite direction it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk south east along the Principal Trail to Hamble Foreshore, or 10 minutes to cycle there.
The longer trail to Bursledon Station in the north east of the peninsula, takes an additional 75 minutes to walk or 30 minutes to cycle.
You can also use the supporting trails to find your own route either along the coast, or inland visiting Netley, Hamble and Bursledon railway stations, where you will find the Parish Posts designed by artist Madeleine Allison.
Hamble Rail Trail