North Solent NNR
The North Solent NNR is south of the New Forest and comprises the lower reaches of the Beaulieu River where it drains into The Solent.
County: Hampshire
Main habitats: Coastal, Woodland, Lowland Grassland, Lowland Heath
Area: 820 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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The reserve also includes large areas of adjoining meadow, woodland and heath.
To view a map of this reserve, click here: (125kb)
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The reserve has a diverse range of habitats ranging from open shore and mudflats to saltmarsh, coastal grazing marsh, neutral and acidic grassland, woodland, valley mire and heathland. There are also low, sandy cliffs of geological interest.
Plants found on the NNR include dwarf spike-rush, little robin, narrow-leaved lungwort, slender hare's-ear, lax-flowered sea-lavender and corky-fruited water-dropwort.
Moths and butterflies seen locally include the pearl-bordered fritillary, goat moth, mocha, great oak beauty, broad-bordered bee hawk and orange footman. The site is also home to the rare Roesel's bush cricket.
The site is internationally important for its populations of overwintering and migratory waterfowl, and is of national importance for its populations of breeding gulls, terns and wading birds.
The North Solent NNR is a Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site, and a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC).
Due to the sensitivity of many habitats within the NNR, access to the reserve is restricted to public rights of way. Access to other areas is by permit only. For more details email Natural England's Hampshire & Isle of Wight office or telephone 023 8028 6410.
Location and access
The Beaulieu River is 8 km west of Southampton Water and 8 km east of the town of Brockenhurst. The town of Beaulieu straddles the river at the head of its estuary, approximately 5 km inland.
By car, access to the reserve is via minor roads from the B3054. The nearest parking is in Beaulieu and the village of Bucklers Hard (2 km to the south).
The nearest train station is Beaulieu Road (5 km to the north of Beaulieu) served by South West Trains, however there are more regular services to Brockenhurst, served by South West Trains and Virgin Trains.
Local bus services are provided by the Wilts and Dorset Bus Company.
A major trail, the Solent Way, passes through Beaulieu and then runs parallel to the west bank of the Beaulieu River as far as Bucklers Hard before turning towards Lymington, 7 km to the west.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages.
There is disabled access and temporary toilet facilities at ‘Shore Hide’ located at Warren Shore on the western side of the river mouth, looking out over the salt marsh toward the Isle of Wight. Access to this hide and other hides in the area can only be used with permission, with the exception of a hide located on the Solent Way, North of Bucklers Hard at Keeping Marsh.
Further information
For further information regarding this site please telephone 0300 060 6000 and ask to speak to the Reserve Manager.
