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Hampshire Beaches

Hampshire Beaches

Planning a trip to the Hampshire coast? Use our coastal holiday guide to discover beautiful Hampshire beaches.

Find Beaches in Hampshire

With just over 200 miles of coastline looking out over Solent, you have your choice of Hampshire beaches. From sandy family friendly beaches, ideal for watersports including surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing to rural unspoilt bays.

Hampshire Beach Days

From the western reaches of Highcliffe and the New Forest, this coastline presents a serene face, with sandy shores and shingle beaches that beckon families and water sports enthusiasts alike. To the bustling seaside towns of Southsea and Portsmouth.

Barton on Sea Beach

Stokes Bay is a family-friendly beach that offers swimming, sailing, and lovely long coastal walks. Visitors can enjoy the beach, explore the nearby Alver Valley Nature Reserve, and learn about the area’s rich military history.

Browndown Beach

Browndown Beach is a beautiful pebble beach on the Hampshire coast, offering panoramic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Calshot Beach

Calshot Beach is part of a shingle spit on the South Hampshire coast, offering a range of activities such as kite surfing, windsurfing, and sailing.

Clarence Pier

Clarence Pier Beach is just North of Southsea beach on the Hampshire Coast and is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. Visitors can also enjoy the pier’s amusements, rides, and attractions.

Eastney Beach

Eastney Beach is just over a mile long shingle beach backed by the main seafront road.

Emsworth Harbour Beach

Emsworth Harbour Beach, close to Chichester Harbour, is a beautiful destination for a coastal walk, with plenty of opportunities for bird watching along the way.

Hill Head Beach

Hill Head Beach, dog-friendly with restrictions, offers panoramic views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. The perfect spot for a quiet walk, a picnic, or just to take in the beauty of the surrounding nature reserve.

Hurst Road Beach

Hurst Road Beach, located on the Hampshire coast, is a charming shingle beach that offers a perfect spot to relax and unwind. With its close proximity to Hurst Castle, it provides an ideal opportunity to explore the local history.

Lee-on-Solent Beach

Lee-on-Solent Beach is a safe swimming spot and an ideal location for a family day out. The beach has a Splashpark and arcade on the seafront, adding to the fun and entertainment.

Lepe Beach

Lepe Beach, located within Lepe Country Park, offers a south-facing sandy beach with a rich maritime history. The park’s trails and wildlife make it an ideal spot for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Milford on Sea

Milford on Sea, a seaside village with a long shingle beach, offers a perfect spot for families to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. The charming village shops and restaurants make it an ideal location for a leisurely stroll.

Old Portsmouth Beach

Old Portsmouth Beach, in the historic harbor, is a perfect spot to explore the rich maritime history of the area.

Southsea Beach

Southsea Beach stretches along the Southern end of Portsea Island from Old Portsmouth to Eastney, offering visitors the chance to relax on the beach, explore the pier and amusements, and take a stroll along the promenade.

Stokes Bay

Family friendly Stokes Bay is a great place for swimming, sailing and lovely long coastal walks.

  • Hampshire Beaches coastal view
  • Southsea Portsmouth in Hampshire
  • Lepe Beach Hampshire England

Nature Reserves and Traditional seaside beaches

Hampshire’s coastline offers a variety of beach experiences, from sandy stretches to shingle shores. Lepe Beach a sandy beach within Lepe Country Park, popular for sunbathing, water sports, and stunning views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. Southsea Beach, a long pebble beach with stretches of sand at low tide, offering traditional seaside experiences.

Water Sports and Outdoor Activities

The coastline caters to various water sports and outdoor pursuits, with dedicated facilities and ideal conditions. Calshot Activities Centre: One of the largest outdoor centers in the south, offering sailing and rock climbing.

Seaside Events

COASTAL EVENTS

Coastal events in Hampshire for your diary

Annual events taking place for 2024.

  • Regattas
  • Seafood Festivals
  • Carnivals
What’s On




Places of Interest on the Hampshire Coast

The Hampshire coast looks out over the busy Solent, and has a long naval and maritime history. Along this stretch of coast you can find old forts and defences to nature reserves and family attractions.



More about Hampshire Beaches

Looking for top Hampshire Coast destinations? Miles of sandy beaches, traditional seaside towns and family attractions. Walk the coastal path or find family friendly Blue Flag beaches. There are sandy beaches in Hampshire which are safe for swimming as well as dog friendly beaches for long walks with our four legged friends.

Hampshire is best known for its naval history, Solent coastline, and natural landscapes, including the New Forest National Park. It is home to Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, historic coastal castles, and a rich mix of seaside towns and wildlife reserves.

Yes. Hampshire has many excellent beaches, mostly shingle with sand at low tide. Popular beaches include Southsea, Stokes Bay, Calshot, Lepe, Milford on Sea, and Barton on Sea, offering clean waters, scenic views and plenty of space.

The Hampshire coast is very family-friendly. Beaches like Lepe, Southsea and Stokes Bay offer easy access, facilities, promenades and nearby attractions. Crabbing at Keyhaven, fossil hunting at Barton, and pier amusements in Southsea are popular with children.

Yes. The Solent Way coastal path runs for around 60 miles, linking many Hampshire beaches and towns. There are also clifftop walks at Barton on Sea, harbour walks at Emsworth, and nature trails through Titchfield Haven and the New Forest coast.

Hampshire is excellent for watersports, particularly sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Calshot, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hill Head and nearby Hayling Island are well-known for consistent winds and strong watersports facilities.

Late spring to early autumn is ideal for beach days and walking, while winter offers quieter paths, dramatic skies and exceptional birdwatching. Summer brings festivals and events, but western beaches remain relatively peaceful year-round.

Portsmouth and Southampton are well served by trains and ferries. For exploring quieter beaches like Milford on Sea, Keyhaven and Lepe, having a car is helpful. Parking can be limited during peak summer months.

Explore other areas near Hampshire

Explore the miles of UK coastline with popular seaside destinations, coastal walks and water sports. Find more beaches in the southeast coast of England, covering the counties of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Isle of Wight and Hayling Island. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the coastal trails.

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