This walk shows more than many that Emsworth is right on the border of Hampshire and West Sussex as it nips back and forth.

It explores many of the backlanes of Emsworth, and then delights with the beautiful village of Westbourne, which is in West Sussex.

On the way back, you find yet another mill, this time Lumley Mill is not a tidal mill, but a much more conventional watermill. But you also get a sneak view of Emsworth's very own nature reserve - something that many locals have yet to discover, but the work of other enthusiastic locals who deserve praise - visit their website for a look.

Distance: 6.5 km, 4.0 miles

Walking Time: 1 hour 35 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Wheelchair Accessible: Difficult

Start/End: The Square in Emsworth

Access:
From the Square in Emsworth

Itinerary

The walk starts from Emsworth Square.
There is a pay-and-display car park in South Street, or a free car park in Bridge Road (just north of the main Havant Road).
From the southern end of the square, walk west along Nile Street to the edge of the millpond, then turn right and walk up to Havant Road. Use the pelican crossing to cross over Havant Road, then turn left and immediately right so you are heading north up Bridge Road.
To the right of Bridge Road runs the River Ems, which we will meet again later in this walk, that runs down to the sea through the millpond.
You can also get a good view on the right of the local parish church of St James. This church was built in 1841. Prior to that, Emsworth was part of the parish of Warblington.
It was only in 1866 that Emsworth 'gained independence' and became its own parish.
In 1866. The population of Emsworth was 1,800 people. Today it is around 12,000 people.
At the end of Bridge Road, turn left into Victoria Road, and after about 50 metres
turn right into Washington Road. This road turns into a footpath under the
railway and the A27 before emerging into the recreation ground.
Continue north on the path along the western edge of the cricket pitch and past
the children's play area and skateboard park. Then continue straight along the
line of trees along the edge of the recreation ground.
At the end there is a short footpath on the right that takes you along to Horndean Road. When you reach Horndean Road, cross over and turn left and walk about 50 metres north. Turn right into Bellevue Lane. Leaving St James' Primary school on your right, continue to the end of Bellevue Lane where you turn left into Garland Lane.
Turn left into Woodlands Avenue, and then right into a cul de sac leading into a footpath through to Southleigh Park. Follow the path left and up the side of the park to Southleigh Road where you turn
right. Alternatively make your way diagonally across the field and turn right at Southleigh Road.
Walk along Southleigh Road and over the roundabout into Westbourne Road. Walk along Westbourne Road until you cross the road at the crossing shown by bollards on the pavement, and cross into Hampshire Meadow.
Now walk up the left hand side of Hampshire Meadow heading north.
Hampshire Meadow is a new park space next to the new Redland Grange housing estate. It includes an orchard comprising many special apple species of trees funded by the locals.
Keep heading north round the meadow until you reach an exit at the very top leading into Long Copse Lane and turn right.
You are now about to cross from Hampshire into West Sussex. In fact the name Westbourne derives from its position in the far west of Sussex. The border actually runs along the line of the River
Ems.
Continue to the end of Long Copse Lane then turn right into North Street and south to the Square, then along The Grove past the parish church.
There are a few pubs in Westbourne if you feel the need for some sustenance at this stage of the walk - it is about half way.
Also, take a look at the local parish church of St John the Baptist. It is an extremely pretty church, and retains its traditional walled churchyard and avenue of yew trees. The church dates back to medieval
times.
The walk now follows the line of the River Ems south, so turn left onto the footpath opposite the church just before the bridge over the Ems.
The walk then curves round to the right between the gardens of the large houses in Westbourne and then turns into a muddy track that leads south towards the A27.
At the southern end of this track, the track bears left up to a bridge over the A27.
At the southern end of the bridge, turn right onto the track that leads up to Lumley. After passing about three large houses on the left you come down to the old foundations of Lumley Mill on the right
hand side of the track.
Lumley Mill was built as a water-powered flour mill in 1740 by Lord Lumley. It is later than the tidal mills around the harbour, and emphasises the importance of this crop to the area back in the 17th,
18th and 19th century.
Flour dust is highly inflammable, and Lumley Mill was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century with a much smaller mill.
In fact by the middle of the 19th century, many of the mills in the area were made uneconomic by the import of cheap flour from North America.
Carry on down Mill Lane past through Lumley, still following the River Ems.
At this point, you can turn right into the Brook Meadow Nature Reserve, and follow
the footpath to the right heading south through the Reserve.
I quote from the Brook Meadow
Conservation Group website:
"Brook Meadow is a lovely wet meadow in Emsworth. It consists of 5 acres of grassland, surrounded by woodlands and flanked by two streams. Brook Meadow is full of birds, insects and wild flowers and
has Water Voles in the river. It is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and is also a Local Nature Reserve. Brook Meadow is managed by the Brook Meadow Conservation Group on behalf of Havant Borough Council.
It has two attractive interpretation boards with original artwork from a local artist and four signcases with local news and photos. Come along and pay a visit. It refreshes the senses and uplifts the spirits. What more could you ask?"
Follow Mill Lane down to the A259 and cross over the road and head west into Queen Street.
You have now crossed back into Hampshire and are at the top of the Slipper millpond.
Walk to the top of Queen Street and turn right. Carry on along the High Street and you
find yourself back in Emsworth Square and your starting point.