North Binness Island

North Binness Island is an island in Langstone Harbour[1] It is 900 metres (980 yd) long and up to 250 metres (270 yd) wide but only rises to 2.5 metres (8 ft) above Ordnance Datum[2] The island was originally (along with a large part of Farlington Marshes) part of Binner's Island.[3] The island has been uninhabited in recent times but there is evidence of historical occupation. A 100-metre (110 yd) long earthwork on the island has been suggested to date from the 18th century.[2] There is also archaeological evidence that suggests the island was occupied during the Bronze Age and the Roman period.[2] Finds from the Bronze Age include evidence of a salt works.[4] The Island and has also produced finds dating back to the Mesolithic period prior to the formation of Langstone Harbour and the island.[4]

North Binness Island at high tide in July 2005

The island was formerly home to a pond which is now filled with mud.[2] Plants on the island consist of salt-water grasses and a few trees.[2]

In 1978 the island along with the other islands in Langstone harbour was acquired by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who turned it into a bird sanctuary.[5] Since that time unauthorised landings have been forbidden.[5]

References
  1. "Havant Borough Townscape, Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment February 2007" (PDF). Havant Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  2. Adam, Neil J; Momber, Gary (2000). "North Binness Island". In Allen, Michael J; Gardiner, Julie (eds.). Our Changing Coast a survey of the intertidal archaeology of Langstone Harbour Hampshire. York: Council for British Archaeology. pp. 91–97. ISBN 1-902771-14-1.
  3. Fontana, Val; Fontana, Dominic (2000). "A brief historical survey". In Allen, Michael J; Gardiner, Julie (eds.). Our Changing Coast a survey of the intertidal archaeology of Langstone Harbour Hampshire. York: Council for British Archaeology. p. 82. ISBN 1-902771-14-1.
  4. Young, Andrew; Royall, Carolyn; Trevarthen, Emma (2008). "The Aggregate Landscape of Hampshire Assessment of the Archaeological Resource" (PDF). Cornwall County Council. pp. 127–128. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  5. Tweed, Ronald (2000). A History of Langstone Harbour and its environs in the County of Hampshire. Dido Publications. pp. 159–160. ISBN 0-9533312-1-0.

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