Up the creek

Don’t look upon Eling Creek as a quiet backwater off Southampton Water.
As the home of the local sailing club, there’s plenty of activity on the water; it has handy slipways to launch craft, and boasts a centuries old history which includes the only working tide mill anywhere still capable of regularly producing flour, as well as the centuries old causeway and toll bridge.
Truth is that Eling and its creek was once a busy port in its own right and at one time there were plans to extend the waterway 20 miles inland by a canal to Salisbury.
An adjoining industrial area, now used for storage of shipping containers dominates the north side of the creek, but if ambitious development plans come to fruition, the area will get a much enhanced waterfront.
The Eling Sailing Club is at the head of the creek off the estuary of the River Test, and is located in part of the historic tide mill which is currently being renovated. The Club has moorings for yachts up to 30ft, by the quay wall, along with additional laid mooringson mud flats and a small number of deep water moorings.
It’s also borders the quaintly named Goatee Beach on Southampton Water and facing the port of Southampton, which while not a traditional seaside beach, includes planty of recreation space. The creek and the area off the beach is also a popular spot for jet skiers.
But, if like me this week it provides a quiet spot overlooking the water to enjoy basking in the sun for half an hour. 

Oh yes, and there’s a pub which overlooks the water!