New Forest coastal heritage

Education and Outreach

Our aim is to encourage the understanding of, and promote involvement in, the New Forest’s archaeological heritage for all audiences. It is through this interest that we can encourage long-term preservation for the benefit of future generations. Read on to find out more about some of the projects we have undertaken to achieve this aim.

Education Resources

A range of free archaeologically-themed downloadable education resources are now available on our website. These cover various topics including: Introduction to Archaeology, Coastal Settlement, Coastal Defence, Trade and Industry, The Tudors, Smuggling and Coastal Change. They are supported by a range of free loan boxes containing real and replica objects that can be booked out from the New Forest National Park Authority, Lymington, to enhance lessons and the many subjects in the National Curriculum.

The Future

The Coastal Heritage Project mapped potential future threats from erosion and sea level rise to the archaeology along our coast. The National Park Authority hopes to conduct regular monitoring, survey work and even rescue projects. This will build on the information gathered during the survey and help maintain accurate information on our fragile historic environment.

The information gathered during the project is available from the local authority Historic Environment Record, which is a searchable database of all the known area: your local archaeology in

www.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage/historic-environment.htm

The final reports are all downloadable from the New Forest National Park Authority, English Heritage and Archaeological Database Service websites.

www.archaeologydataservice.ac.uk
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Coastal Heritage Project

Between 2009 and 2011 the New Forest National Park Authority surveyed and recorded the New Forest’s coastal heritage. The results will help contribute towards English Heritage’s developing national picture of the United Kingdom’s coastal historic environment.

The study area covered the whole of the New Forest coast (almost 400km) and a substantial amount of the Solent.

Working with Wessex Archaeology and a large team of volunteers, the National Park reviewed past records from various sources, revealing over 2,900 archaeological sites within the study area.

More information

More information on all the areas covered in this leaflet can be found on the National Park Authority website, along with interesting videos and photos from all aspects of the project.

There are two ways to do this: type the web address into your computer, or if you have a smart phone scan the square to unlock more information on the website.

During the field survey phase over 500 volunteer days were undertaken (more than double the original target), with volunteers carrying out fieldwalking, excavation, geophysics, environmental processing, diving and boat surveys. This resulted in 440 new sites being discovered, including two previously undiscovered shipwrecks off the New Forest coast.

The Project has been awarded a certificate of merit by the National Archaeology Society.

The map inside this leaflet shows where some of the archaeological highlights of this successful project can be found.

• Hurst Castle and lighthouse
• Coastal Heritage Project volunteers excavating, Pennington salt works
• Erosion, Barton-on-Sea
• Coastal defence, Hurst Spit
• Exhibition at New Forest Centre
• Loan box

Protecting the New Forest’s Coastal Heritage

An archaeological survey of the New Forest coast from land to seabed

Coastal Heritage Project Partners:

New Forest National Park Authority,

Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington,

SO41 9ZG

Telephone: 01590 646600

Website:

www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/coastal

Supported by ExxonMobil at the Fawley Refinery

• Printed on FSC environmentally-friendly paper.
• Front cover photos: Volunteer excavating salt works, Keyhaven; Old jetty, Beaulieu River.
• Sailing past Fawley Refinery, Southampton Water
• Archaeological dig, Milford-on-Sea primary school

Hurst Spit

Hurst Spit protects the flat New Forest coast from severe waves, storms and surges. This natural barrier is reinforced by the manmade Hurst Castle, garrisoned from Tudor times until 1956.

Forgotten Industry

Between 1700 and 1850 the New Forest coast was dominated by the industrial production of salt crystals, bringing huge profit to the area. Evidence of this industry remains in the landscape of the Lymington-Keyhaven nature reserve. Excavations undertaken around the last remaining salt industry buildings have increased our knowledge of a dominant and successful industry that is now largely forgotten.

Shipwrecks

People have been using ships for transport, war and trade for thousands of years. A large number lie in various states of decay on the seabed having been wrecked through the forces of nature, human error and war. Two new discoveries were made during the Coastal Heritage Project: a tank landing craft and an 1850 wooden cargo ship with a number of surviving artefacts.

Underwater Heritage Trail

Yellow buoys now mark three shipwreck sites of local or historical interest along the New Forest coast and in the Western Solent. The buoys both raise awareness of our underwater heritage and improve access for those interested in diving. Visit the web address provided on the wreck buoy to learn more about what lies beneath them.

‘Shipwrecks of the Western Solent’

Ever wanted to explore the seabed without getting wet or cold? ‘Shipwrecks of the Western Solent’ is a short film exploring a variety of wrecks off the New Forest coast. Copies of the film have already been given to all local schools and education providers. Head to our website to see short clips and how you can get hold of a copy.

Interpretation

Check out our new interpretation panels on the battlements of Hurst Castle, one of the highest points along the New Forest coast. The panels look at the history of the New Forest coast from prehistory up to the Second World War.

Tidal Power

The unusual double tide of the Solent not only makes it favourable for maritime trade and activities, but also makes the production of food and power more efficient. This can be seen in several tidal mills along Southampton Water at Eling and Ashlett Creek both of which had very productive periods of grinding wheat and corn. Eling mill is still in operation today.

Mulberry Harbours

Elements of Second World War prefabricated Mulberry harbours have been recycled as coastal defence along Southampton Water. Concrete and metal Mulberry harbours were the engineering success story of D-Day. They were constructed in various locations along the coast and towed across the channel to disembark troops and machinery on the Normandy beaches.

Defensive Coastscape

The cliffs and coastline from Barton-on-Sea to Hurst Spit are dominated by WWII defensive structures. A large number of these have now toppled onto the beach where their destruction is accelerated by the relentless waves.

Hulks

The slowly rotting remains of numerous hulks (abandoned ships) were recorded all along the coast and river channels. The majority have never been subject to detailed investigation.

June 1944

Evidence of the intense planning and activity that went into the successful D-Day landings in France are slowly being eroded from view and memory at Lepe Country Park.

www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/coastal