Swanwick Marina is situated on the eastern bank of the River Hamble, near Bursledon Bridge, and approximately two miles upriver from its entrance on Southampton Water.
Its sheltered location and excellent facilities make it an ideal base for exploring the Solent and cruising further a field on both sides of the channel.
Besides being a picturesque waterway, the River Hamble is one of the most important yachting centres in the UK.
A short drive or train journey to Southampton will allow access to the recently built shopping mall, West Quay, housing over 90 stores including many well known high street names such as John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.
Or visit the Manor Farm Country Park, a delightful Victorian working farm, set in 400 acres of country park bordering the River Hamble with tea rooms, riverside walks and woodland trails.
Swanwick Marina is not only an ideal location to both explore the world-famous cruising grounds of the Solent, and further afield. There is the chance to visit dozens of destinations within a few hours’ sail or take part in the busy racing scene on your doorstep.
The 24 hour access to the marina means there is no waiting or queuing for berthing and with a fuel bay which is open round the clock you can cruise where you want, when you want.
With friendly and experienced staff on hand 24 hours a day to share their knowledge, CCTV and regular patrols ensuring the security of the 300 berths 365 days a year, Swanwick Marina offers the best possible level of service.
The Isle of Wight is close at hand – why not visit the sailing meccas of Cowes, Yarmouth, or the sandy beaches of Bembridge and Osborne Bay? Alternatively venture east to enjoy the relaxing waters of Chichester Harbour, where you can stay at Premier’s Chichester Marina, or use your berthing vouchers at Port Solent, Gosport, Southsea and other Premier Marinas.
Andark was formed in 1976, originally as a diving contractor working on many underwater projects from ship hull surveys to underwater construction and marine salvage. In 1980 we diversified into scuba diver training. Today Andark is one of the country’s biggest leisure diving schools offering a range of world-recognised dive courses.
From 1982 the company started retailing diving equipment. This was soon expanded to include clothing and equipment for other water sports. Now from its retail base in Swanwick near Southampton it sells all the leading clothing brands for yachting and boating including Gill, Henri Lloyd, Helly Hansen, Musto and Quicksilver; lifejackets and buoyancy aids by Crewsaver, Typhoon, Henri Lloyd; wet and dry suits from Sola, BodyGlove, Typhoon, Gul, Crewsaver and Musto. Diving suppliers include Scubapro, Oceanic, Mares, Aqualung and more.
We run dives along the south coast and are situated in the heart of the south’s boating area, surrounded by marinas, sailing schools and clubs, with Cowes just across the Solent..
“Andark’s business is water sports.”
Formerly the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House is set in glorious grounds and gardens with immaculate spreading lawns and walkways overlooking the Beaulieu River. The House has been in Lord Montagu's family ownership since 1538, when Sir Thomas Wriothesley, later 1st Earl of Southampton, bought the Estate after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Lord Henry Scott, the first resident owner of Palace House, extended it in the 1870's to accommodate his growing family. The architect was Sir Arthur Blomfield and the House you see today is a mixture of Victorian Gothic, medieval Gothic and 18th century fortification styles.
The monastic origins of the House are evident and, once inside, visitors soon succumb to its friendly atmosphere as they view the many splendid and varied family treasures, portraits, photographs and memorabilia.
Above all, Palace House remains a family home still lived in by the present Lord Montagu and his family and much loved by them.
Palace house is a short drive from the Swanwick / Bursledon Area
Few car museums in the world can match the unique collection of the world renowned National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Managed by the National Motor Museum Trust, Beaulieu is also the home of the world famous Beaulieu International Autojumble and Automart.
Whether your interest is as an individual, a motor enthusiast, or as a member of an interest group or educational party, when it comes to cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, motoring eccentricities and memorabilia, the National Motor Museum is firmly in the driving seat.
With the Collection now comprising some 250 vehicles - from some of the earliest examples of motoring to legendary World Record Breakers like Bluebird and Golden Arrow - you are sure to find something to fascinate you.
The motor museum is a short drive from the Swanwick / Bursledon Area
The Centre for the Conservation of the Built Environment
The Brickworks was founded in 1897 by the Ashby family to replace a works they had originally owned at Chandlers Ford. Production developed rapidly and a second works was constructed in 1903 on the site now occupied by the new Civil Aviation Authority Centre.
Just before the Second World War further kilns and brick drying sheds were constructed and production peaked at about 20 million bricks per year employing about 180 men. In 1959, out of amalgamation with another concern, Redlands Brick and Tile Co (later Redlands plc) was created. In 1974 the works closed and the buildings gradually fell into disrepair.
In late November 1990 the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust acquired the site and started the present restoration programme. This has been funded, so far, by a generous gift from Redlands plc, grants from Hampshire County Council and donations and help from industry and the general public.
The Engine House is a prestigious building containing the steam engine and brickmaking plant. The steam engine was built in 1885 by Woods of Wigan. It has been restored to a newly built condition.
The Boiler House is presently under restoration. It contains the shell of one of the original Lancashire boilers and a post-war coal-fired boiler subsequently converted to oil and believed to be a rare proto-type. A small modern steam boiler has been installed in a new boiler house to provide the steam for running the engine.
Rescued Machinery - There are examples of machinery awaiting restoration, that have been rescued from other brickworks.
The Brickmaking Plant was manufactured by Bennett & Sayer and is presently being restored.
The Drying Sheds were designed, developed and patented in 1897. Six of the eight drying sheds have now been repaired, housing exhibitions on brickmaking, traditional building materials, methods of repair and rescued machinery.
The Kiln and Chimney were constructed in 1897. The kiln was a continuous firing type with six chambers down each side. The kiln is to be repaired but it will not be possible to bring it back into full working order. In order to show the full process from clay to brick, it is proposed to build a small intermittent kiln of a design known as a Scotch Kiln.
Organisation - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in partnership with National Air Transport Services Ltd.
Swanwick Reserve and Study Centre, a joint partnership between Hampshire Wildlife Trust and National Air Transport Services Ltd is a wonderful local resource.
The nature reserve, which was created as a result of the development of the new Air Traffic Control Centre, is a good example of how the planning process can be used to safeguard wildlife. A legal agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority was attached to the planning permission. This provided for a 30 hectare nature reserve with an education centre and a full-time education warden.
The reserve, an old clay quarry site has three main habitats to explore - ponds, meadow and woodland. Many visitors access the site including school groups. The reserve is an open air classroom in which school groups can study all areas of the curriculum from science and maths through to literacy and drama. The warden is on hand to help lead and advise groups. The reserve also runs courses for teachers, as well as a range of public events for children and adults. It is completely accessible and has a fully equipped study centre.
The Nature reserve is a 20minute walk or 5 minute drive from Norman House Bed and Breakfast in Swanwick
London Area Control Centre, Swanwick
NATS’ Swanwick Centre, near Fareham in Hampshire is one of the largest and most advanced air traffic control centre in the world. It entered operational service on 27 January 2002 when it began handling aircraft flying over England and Wales. Previously, this traffic was being controlled by staff in the area control operations room at West Drayton.
The introduction of Swanwick signalled a change in the way controllers work. In the area control operations room at West Drayton, traffic in each sector was controlled by a small team of controllers, comprising a single tactical controller dedicated to each airspace sector, overseen by a chief sector controller position which acted in a coordination role. Swanwick, however, has two controllers per sector – the tactical controller and a dedicated planner controller overseen by a local area supervisor and supported by an assistant.
Swanwick controls 200,000 square miles of airspace above England and Wales – among the busiest and most complex in the world – with the exception of London and south-east area below 24,000 feet and the Manchester area below 21,000 feet.