Spirit of the South: Exploring Keyhaven and Hurst Castle

• Video report by ITV News Meridian's Richard Slee

The South is a special part of the country with stunning coastlines, wonderful woodlands and waterways.

ITV News Meridian is celebrating this part of the world with our annual series called 'Spirit of the South', showcasing the region and some of the hidden treasures it holds.

Richard Slee explores the beautiful landscape around Keyhaven on the coast of the New Forest and also visits the mighty Hurst Castle.

The salt marshes cover about 500 acres between Keyhaven and Lymington.

There are many coastal lagoons which once produced enormous wealth for the landowners, from the middle ages through to the 19th century.

This area is now a nature reserve and a popular destination for bird watchers.

The trip to Hurst Castle is along a shingle bar almost two miles long or you can take a ferry from Keyhaven Harbour.

The Tudor fort was completed in 1544 and over the years has been extended and occupied by a military garrison right up to the end of the Second World War.

For more information on the Keyhaven Nature Reserve click here

For more information about Hurst Castle click here

For more information on the surrounding area click here