Old Saltworkings - Moses Dock, Lower Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 50° 44.383 W 001° 32.221
30U E 603227 N 5621901
The old saltworkings of Moses Dock have now been transformed into a beautiful area of natural beauty. Evidence of the industry can be seen all around especially with the salt lagoons along the dock.
Waymark Code: WMCPNT
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/30/2011
Views: 6
Moses Dock is so-named because the waterway is Moses Creek; it was along here that barges full of coal travelled to the saltworkings to fuel the boiling vessels. There is an information board detailing the saltworkings along the series of footpaths which take you on a level walk around the area. These are some of the best preserved medieval workings in Southern England.
Along the route are two buildings which are the more visible last reminders of the salt industry here. The actual process began here in Roman times and finished in 1866. The last company to own the site was Stone and Rowe at the end of the industry when cheaper mined salt from Cheshire forced its closure.
From Lymington to Keyhaven this area of Lower Pennington contains relics of its sea salt industry visible as you walk along the sea wall. The industry was the main source of income for the area through the medieval period and the actual workings are recorded in the Domesday Book dating to 1086.
The salt was collected in shallow lagoons, the lakes we see today. These were called salterns and allowed the water to evaporate. The industry also used wind pumps to draw the sea water from the 170 saltpans into boiling vessels or metal pans where the excess water evaporated further. There were 4600 tons of salt produced between 1724 and 1766 and exports were made to places such as the USA and Newfoundland. The sea walls were designed to reclaim the sea and has resulted in the salt marshes the workings have been left to become.
Today the site is an important wildlife habitat with the lagoons connected to the sea via sluices and tidal flaps. Some rare species exist here including Foxtail Stonewort, Lagoon Shrimp and Starlet Seaanemone and the colours are breathtaking at various times of the year. Winter sees the site as a home for Mallard, Shoveler and Teal; spring and autumn sees migrant wading birds arrive including Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. The Normandy Lagoon is a favourite with birdwatchers and Little Tern, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher breed contently here.
Kind: Salt Evaporation Pond
Is the place still active?: no
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