Season: summer
Calshot beach sits at the western end of Southampton Water, as it meets The Solent. There’s a handy car park and this is generally a quiet spot, ideal for watching the boats come and go to and from Southampton and out to the Isle of Wight. The beach is stony, but you can walk out over sand banks at low tide. There’s a nearby activity centre to visit as well. The beach is part of Calshot Spit, which itself is a one mile long sand and shingle bank, again affording fine views. Another attraction here is Calshot Castle, built in 1539 by Henry VIII in a vital strategic position. The beach is clean, as is the bathing water here.
What the beach means to Robin.
A summer scene at Calshot beach.
As kids we had annual trips to Calshot Activities Centre, kayaking, sailing. Great fun! Our parents took us regularly to Hill Head Beach over the other side of Southampton Water. Same pebbles. My Dad was chuffed to meet Jimmy Melia on that beach when he was playing for Southampton.