This cache is placed on the bridle path running between Keyhaven and Lymington known as the Ancient Highway.
Like the rest of the West Solent area, a considerable salt industry developed soon after the Conquest.
Salt was made by impounding seawater in shallow lagoons known as salterns where it was left to evaporate. Wind pumps were used to draw off the brine solution into large metal pans where it was heated until only the salt remained. The last surviving house where this took place can be seen at nearby Creek Cottage.
This industry had disappeared by 1400 but was revived in the 17th century with the introduction of new techniques making this a very wealthy area.
The Lymington– Keyhaven Nature Reserve is a beautiful area of coastline created, between 1973 and 2006, to protect its unique historical and wildlife heritage.
The reserve covers nearly 200 Ha (500 acres) between the mouth of the Lymington River and the village of Keyhaven.
The adjacent mudflats and salt marshes outside the seawall are leased by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and form their Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes Reserve.
Together these two reserves ensure the protection of an extensive area of coastal habitat.
Both reserves lie within the New Forest National Park, recognising their importance for both wildlife and people.
You can obtain good views of the marshes and their wildlife from the Solent Way which runs the length of the reserve.
There are also several attractive circular walks on local footpaths which cross the area.
The reserve is open every day of the year for quiet informal recreation on designated paths and tracks.
At the fork there is a nice Rock to sit on!
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