Virtual Field Trips
Solar Boat
8. Bosham Hoe & Old Park Wood
Bosham Hoe is a small projection of land found at the end very end of the Bosham Peninsula. The word Hoe is likely to have derived from the Old English word Hoh, which means a projecting ridge, spur of land or peninsula.
It is also connected to the word 'heel'. The area of the Hoe itself is partially intersected by Furzefield Creek.
Aerial photograph Furzfield Creek
Bosham erratic stone
Geology on Bosham Hoe
Dotted around the Harbour are several boulders known as sarsens or erratics. They are formed from hard sandstones.
One of these erratics can be seen on the beach on the west of Bosham Hoe.
To find out more about these stones, click here.
Ferry
Ferry
During the summer months it is possible for walkers and cyclists to travel between Bosham Hoe and Itchenor on the little Harbour Ferry.
If you are on the Bosham side, simply walk to the ferry crossing point on the shoreline and wait. You will be seen by Andy the ferryman, who will come and collect you.
Alternatively contact ‘Ferry’ on VHF Channel 8 or telephone 07970 378350.
The edge of Old Park Wood
Harbour Oak
Old Park Wood
Up until the end of the 18th century, woodlands were quite widespread around the Harbour. Many of these were cleared during the 19th Century.
The only two ancient coppices that have survived are Salterns Copse and Old Park Wood on the opposite side of the channel. Old Park Wood is an ancient native woodland. It is situated on the eastern side of the Bosham Peninsula and is privately owned.
Old Park Wood possesses one of two heronries that are found in the Harbour. Both Herons and Little Egrets are frequent visitors to the wood’s shoreline and may sometimes be seen ‘decorating’ the trees when they are roosting.
DactylorhizaFuchsii Common Spotted Orchid
(Ramin Nakisa)
Bosham Orchids
Lighter's Field is a meadow that has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
It is particularly important for the orchids that grow there: The Green Winged Orchid (Orchis morio) and the Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).
Click here for more information on the Common Spotted Orchid
Old Park Wood from Salterns Copse
Cuckold's Point
Old maps dating from the end of the 18th Century show an interesting landmark that can be very easily missed. A little promontory on the Harbour side of the wood was known as Cuckold’s Point. Copperas Point was located on the opposite shoreline by Salterns Copse.
Cuckold’s Point disappeared from 19th Century maps and became labelled as Copperas Point instead.
Copperas Point has now returned to its original position, but the name Cuckold’s Point has been forgotten.
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