..a natural harbour…
Sailing to Newtown Creek
Administered by the National Trust, Newtown Creek is a delightful natural harbour where you can anchor or pick up one of the visitor buoys.
Be warned though that it gets very busy at the weekends so it is at its best in the off season.
Many people land ashore on the beach to the west of the entrance where there are plenty of walks along the beach or around to Hamstead Farm.
But be warned don’t forget the tide as the rivers get very shallow and you may find your dinghy high and dry with you not being able to get back to your boat.
Newtown Creek provides the perfect setting for a barbeque (weather permitting), either aboard or on the Western entrance spit, below the high water line.
Please be aware that the Eastern Peninsular out to Fishhouse Point is a nature reserve where there is no landing.
There is public landing on the East side of the river at Newtown Quay. From Newtown Quay you can walk across the boardwalk to the historic Newtown village, make use of the reserve’s two hides, or follow one of the two nature trails.
From Shalfleet Quay a path leads across the meadows alongside the river to the village of Shalfleet, a typical English village with thatched cottages, a village shop, church, manor house and water mill.
GeneralBerthingFacilitiesContact
General Access Info:
- The narrow entrance, which needs navigating with care is 0.75 of a mile east of Hamstead Point and 3.5 miles East of Yarmouth.
- Best time to enter is about HW – 4 on the flood whilst the mud flats are still visible
- The tide does get quite strong and it is not uncommon for yachtsmen to find their anchors dragging so ensure it is well and truly dug in before you leave your boat.
- The main anchorage is in Clamerkin Lake which also has a small number of visitor moorings, the majority of buoys are straight ahead from the entrance in the estuary leading to Shalfleet Quay
- Buoys are chargeable and whilst anchoring is free you may be asked for a donation to the National Trust
- Double HW occurs at or near Springs, whilst on other occasions there is a stand that lasts for around 2hrs
- HW Springs are 1 hr 5 mins before, HW Neaps 5 mins after HW Portsmouth. LW Springs are 25 mins before and Neaps 30 mins before HW Portsmoouth.
- MHWS:3.0m;MHWN: 2.6m; MLWN:1.6m; MLWS:0.8m
Berthing Options:
- Buoys cost approx £8 – £10
- Anchoring is free although donation to the National Trust of around £5 is considered normal
- Harbour Master 01983 531424 – No VHF
Facilities:
- There are no facilities here. However there is a garage at Shalfleet where you can get basic provisions. Tel 01983 531315
- There is also a pub called the New Inn, which has inglenook fireplaces, flagstone floors, low beamed ceilings, real ale and fantastic seafood.
- Alternatively, take the tender to Western Haven, and moor up by the bridge. It is only a short stroll to the Horse and Groom pub in Ningwood.
