Starting from the car park off Palmers Road, take one of two small paths into the trees (on your left as you stand with your back to the car park entrance). They lead to a path running alongside the River Ems, which gives its name to the village of Emsworth. (Warning: this part of the walk may be muddy in the winter or after heavy rain.)
Take the footbridge across the River Ems, then the small passageway on the right (which passes under the main road). (Before taking the passageway, you may want to continue straight along the path for a nice view of the northern part of the Mill Pond, where you may be lucky enough to see swans nesting.) Continue along the footpath until you reach the end. Before doing a U-turn and heading up Queen Street (which heads back up into the village centre), cross over and take a look at the view across the southern half of the Mill Pond.
Shortly after entering Queen Street, you will see The Old Flour Mill on your right and Dolphin Quay to your left. There are many fine old buildings in Queen Street.
At the top of Queen Street, turn right into the High Street. Walking past the Black Dog public house, you reach St Peter's Square on your left. The square is home to several coffee shops, the new (1998) Emsworth library, butcher, greengrocer, newsagent and book shops, as well as several estate agents. The windows of the latter give an interesting overview of the houses which are typical in the Emsworth area. If needed, there are public toilets next to the car park in South Street.
After spending some time in St Peter's Square, walk back towards the High Street, but this time head west (left out of the Square). Take the first road on the left, School Lane, which is a cul-de-sac, and walk through to Emsworth's other Mill Pond. There is a bench at the end of School Lane where you can sit and admire the view or feed the ducks and swans. Then turn left up Bridgefoot Path, heading away from the main road with the Mill Pond on your right. As the road curves round to the left, you arrive at the harbour and Sailing Club buildings.
Cross the cobblestoned area and take the small footpath which crosses the sluice gates from the Mill Pond, then follow the path which tops the pond wall (The Promenade). Looking back, you see attractive views of the village and harbour. To the east is the open sea and at low tide you may see the old oyster beds or grounded fishing boats. Be prepared for a stiff breeze - The Promenade can be chilly on even the warmest of summer days, unless you're warmly dressed!
At the end of The Promenade, turn right into Bath Road, which has many lovely views across the Mill Pond. You can look across to Emsworth's other sailing club. Further down the road, you can look up towards Nile Street (to the right of the white buildings in this photograph). There are some very old houses to be seen, typified by those on the corner of School Lane and a terrace of cottages near the end of Bridgefoot Path. Continue along Bath Road to the main road.
Turn right at the main road and cross over at the pedestrian crossing. A little further along, there is a gap in the wall (behind a bus stop) - through the gap is Church Path, at the end of which is a fine lych gate. Go through it into the churchyard of St James' Church and follow the footpath through onto North Street.
Turn right and head towards the zebra crossing, where you should cross North Street, continuing in the same direstion for a short distance until you come to Palmers Road, where you will find your way back to the car park.
If you are interested in finding out more about the history of Emsworth, there is a small museum next to the car park and Fire Station in North Street. It is only open at certain times of the year however; the best way to find out its opening times is to contact the Tourist Information Centre at Havant. (Telephone (01705) 480024)
I'd like to walk the coastal
route.
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