Editing River Hamble (section)

== Course ==
From source to mouth the river makes a repeated curve heading south-southwest. It [[dendritic drainage|gains tributary streams]] before reaching Botley, the site of an ancient watermill. Below Botley, the river becomes tidal and navigable. It gains strength from adjoining streams, draining surrounding [[Hedge End]], [[Curdridge]], [[Shedfield]], and [[Burridge]].<ref name="Ordnance Survey">Ordnance Survey</ref>

This section was extensively used for medieval shipbuilding, using timber grown locally in the neighbouring woods. Nearby Kings Copse, a cut-back form of Kings Forest,<ref>Joyce Blyth. The changing face of Hedge End</ref> speaks of this key use of the land.

The river's west bank can be accessed from [[Manor Farm Country Park]], where it is possible to walk through Dock Copse<ref name="Ordnance Survey"/> and Fosters Copse.<ref name="Ordnance Survey"/> At extreme low tide, it is just possible to see the remains of the wreck of Henry V's 15th century warship [[Grace Dieu (ship)|''Grace Dieu'']]. This section of the river was also home to [[HMS Cricket (shore establishment)|HMS ''Cricket'']], the Royal Marine landing craft crew training base, during [[World War II]].

At {{cvt|2|miles}} south of [[Botley, Hampshire|Botley]], the river passes between the villages of [[Bursledon]] and [[Lower Swanwick]] and is crossed by the [[M27 motorway]], the [[Portsmouth]] to [[Southampton]] railway line, and the [[A27 road]] via large bridges. A further {{cvt|2|miles}} south of Bursledon, the river flows between the villages of Hamble-le-Rice and Warsash before entering Southampton Water.<ref name="osexp119">Ordnance Survey (2005). ''OS Explorer Map 119 - Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham''. {{ISBN|0-319-23596-3}}.</ref>

A passenger [[Hamble-Warsash Ferry|ferry]] crosses the river between Hamble-le-Rice and Warsash, forming a link for the [[Solent Way]] and [[E9 European Coastal Path]]. This section of the river is dominated by a number of [[marina]]s, the largest being the Port Hamble Marina, and [[boat yard]]s on both banks as far upstream as Bursledon.<ref name="osexp119"/>  On the east bank, south of Warsash, is the [[Warsash Maritime School]], part of [[Solent University]], which provides training for merchant navy crew.