Hamble - Woodland Area & Hills

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Hamble village, the marina, the nature reserve and the quay, with Agents working to crack the code and stop Miles High’s magnetic device from zapping every noisy motorboat on the river.

The mission covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You’ll twist and turn through the village, trek through greener areas, climb a few hills and tiptoe beside the water at the quay as Operation Splashdown gathers pace.

There are hills and some stretches without pavements, so this Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Keep your squad close, watch your footing and take extra care near roads, downhill sections, the quay and any open water.

There is also an optional clue-free detour through the Nature Reserve, adding roughly half a mile to the route. It leads through a scenic safe zone, but can be wet underfoot most of the time, so only tackle it if your squad is ready for a slightly sploshier stealth mission.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin Operation Splashdown:

By car - Your mission begins at Port Hamble Marina, Marina Drive, off Satchell Lane (SO31 4QD). Pay and display parking is available here, with three hours free for your undercover vehicle. Your first clue is hiding in the marina area, so do not rush away from the start point before you’ve scanned the docks.

By public transport - Make your way to Port Hamble Marina on Marina Drive, off Satchell Lane, then head for the marina car park area to begin the mission.

Need the Loo?

Even slippery spies need a tactical comfort break before the serious code-cracking begins. Public toilets are available at the start point, so it’s best to make use of them before Operation Splashdown properly gets underway.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents can join the mission 🐾

This route includes village streets, hills, woodland-style paths, nature reserve edges, no-pavement sections and quay-side areas. Keep canine recruits close throughout, especially near roads, open water, the marina, the quay and any wet or uneven ground. Dogs should be kept on leads where signs ask for it.

Food & Drink Stops

Saving Hamble from a yacht-only takeover is thirsty work.

Refreshment stops can be found near Clue 01, in the High Street from Clue 06, and around Clue 16. If your squad has packed supplies, the green or the quay make good picnic spots, provided everyone stays safely back from the water and keeps an eye out for Miles High’s lookout crew.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Port Hamble Marina

The mission begins at Port Hamble Marina, giving Agents a properly nautical launch point for the day. Take a moment to enjoy the forest of masts, boatyard bustle and riverside atmosphere before the hunt for Miles High’s deactivation code begins.

Optional Detour - Hamble Common and Nature Reserve

For Agents who want extra scenery, the optional detour through the Nature Reserve adds around half a mile. Hamble Common covers 55 acres of coastal heath and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, making it a great wildlife-spotting extension if conditions are suitable.

Hamble Quay and Waterfront

The later stretch follows the quay past the boatyard, cafe and lifeboat station. It’s one of the most scenic parts of the mission, but deep open water is close by, so keep the squad together and stay well back from the edge.