Woodmill SU 439 151 GB
View Larger Map
The River Itchen is river of two halves. The lower river, navigable to any craft, is home to a combination of pleasure craft and industry, mostly in decay. It is approximately three miles from Woolston to Woodmill. The river provides two hours of sheltered paddling, but there are other more attractive places to paddle.
Paddling from Woolston on the lower eastern bank, the small hard is surrounded by ship yards and gravel works, all dominated by the arch of the Itchen Bridge. Heading upstream, you pass several small marinas and the rusting remains of many wharves. On your left is St Mary's Stadium, home to Southampton Football Club. Once up to the Northam Bridge, the river starts to change it's appearance. Immediately before it, on the right bank, are enormous piles of waste metal, gathered to be recycled.
Access / Put-ins:
Woolston: Sheltered small hard, access all states of tide. Limited on street parking.
Woodmill: Access near high water at side of mill, next to car park.
Nature:
In the upper reaches, there is much wildfowl. It is also reported that some seals frequent the river.
History:
Erm....Not much that you can relate to.
Hazards:
Submerged objects in the lower half of the river. Many hulks left abandoned, with other wrecks left attached to them.
Just wanted to say - this blog is looking really good, plenty of useful stuff already.
ReplyDeleteMark R