Ashlett Creek
This attractive hamlet of historic buildings dominated by the imposing 19th century tide mill is a small and intact example of an old waterside settlement. It is a reminder of what small settlements along Southampton Water coast would have looked like in the 19th century. Ashlett is sandwiched between the power station and the refinery but still manages to retain this sense of history, it is quite literally a backwater. Of the handful of buildings in this hamlet, three are listed as being of special architectural or historic interest. Recently an environmental improvement project has restored its landscape character.
The name 'Ashlett' may be derived from the Viking custom of planting an ash stave in the ground where their ships first landed and 'flete' from a creek or stretch of salt water. The hard provided a good spot for launching small boats and in days when road transport was difficult this was a good place for landing and loading supplies, grain and salt to and from Southampton and other towns. Salt production was important here from Saxon times until the 19th century when corn milling became Ashlett's principal industry. Flat bottomed sailing barges working the tides handled by perhaps only two men and a boy could negotiate the creek with relative ease; the last one came in 1932. The Hollies, now a private house, was at one time the coastguard house. Today the creek is a haven for small sailing craft.
Key features in the conservation area are:
- The tide mill (Grade II) built of red brick in English bond is the last in a series of mills here. Research suggests that there were two mills side by side. Eva de Clinton, the widow of a Norman knight bequeathed "Cadland Mill" to the Abbots and Canons of St Mary, Titchfield in 1241. Records show that rates were paid for a tide mill in the 17th century. TB on the date stone probably refers to Thomas Barney of Beaulieu who owned the mill at the beginning of the 19th century.
- The Jolly Sailor public house was originally a beer house in the days when anyone who paid the poor rate and the two pound excise fee could sell beer. Nowadays the Jolly Sailor is a nice little pub selling good food at reasonable prices and is an ideal location for lunch.
- Ashlett House (Grade II) is an unspoilt example of an early 19th century farmhouse built of yellow Beaulieu brick in Flemish bond under an overhanging hipped slate roof. Contemporary timber and brick farm buildings remain to the west side of a small yard.
Approaches
The channel is marked, however, it is narrow and the marks don't necessarily mark the precise course of the channel! Check your chart carefully and approach for the first time on a rising tide.
Anchorages, moorings and berthing
You can tie up on the old quay, however, avoid the north side by the slipway. Watch the tide as it drops quickly on springs and you may find your RIB hanging high and dry!