The River Hamble

The Hamble rises at Bishop’s Waltham in Hampshire and flows into Southampton Water. It is a relatively small river but it has an interesting and varied history. Above Botley, the Hamble powered a number of mills, and in the 17th century plans to make that section navigable were contemplated. The tidal river below Botley has served as an important local conduit for the carriage of goods and commodities, particularly timber, underwood and flour, and a number of industries, including fishing and sa