IT BOASTS an abundance of wildlife and comes with stunning views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

Two privately-owned parts of the mile-long Hurst Spit have gone on sale in what is being described as a one-off opportunity to buy part of the UK's coastline.

The sale includes nine acres of land at the entrance to the Keyhaven River.

The current owner has decided to dispose of the land, together with a 20-acre strip of shingle she jointly owns with Hampshire County Council. The guide price is £200,000.

Bournemouth Echo: Hurst Spit, with the two areas for sale outlined in red. Picture: Caldwells.Hurst Spit, with the two areas for sale outlined in red. Picture: Caldwells.

Caldwells, which is marketing the two areas, describes it as a "unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase part of the UK".

But Hurst Spit is situated in the New Forest National Park, one of the most protected parts of the country. Strict planning policies could prevent the buyer from doing anything with their new acquisition, other than admire its beauty.

A Caldwells spokesman said: "The public have rights of way over both pieces of land and we see no reason why this couldn’t continue under the new owner."

The two areas of land have been in the current owner's family since around 1930.

"They comprise mostly shingle and there are no services. Whilst there were structures in place up until the mid-1980s, it would appear that no new ones can be put on the land," said the spokesman.

Bournemouth Echo: The ruins of a building on Hurst Spit, parts of which are up for sale. Picture: Caldwells.The ruins of a building on Hurst Spit, parts of which are up for sale. Picture: Caldwells.

Both areas are near historic Hurst Castle, which is managed by English Heritage.

The oldest part of the castle was built by Henry VIII between 1541 and 1544 as part of a major project to protect the Solent area from the threat of a French invasion.

King Charles I was imprisoned there ahead of his trial and execution in London in 1649.

The ancient fortification has been open to the public for many years, but access has been restricted since February last year, when part of the east wing fell into the sea during a fierce storm.

Major coastal defence work has since been carried out in a bid to protect the site for the next 50 years.

Visitors can reach the castle by either walking along the Spit from Milford on Sea or catching the small passenger ferry that operates from Keyhaven.

Bournemouth Echo: Hurst Spit includes a lighthouse and historic Hurst Castle, part of which is open to the public.Hurst Spit includes a lighthouse and historic Hurst Castle, part of which is open to the public.

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