Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Lee-on-the-Solent

Season: summer

Sitting on the eastern side of Southampton Water, with great views of the passing shipping, the beach at Lee-on-the-Solent is a popular day tripper location. There’s always something going on here, whether swimming in the clean bathing water, water sports, picnics in the play area behind the beach or fishing and investigating the rock pools at low tide. There is heritage and history too, with the town playing host to the Hovercraft Museum and a proud aviation tradition, including the first seaplane trials between 1915 and 1917. The beach doesn’t feel over-commercialised though and there’s plenty of space for a good beach walk.

What the beach means to Jo, having just finished her Park Run.

In the sunshine at Lee-on-the-Solent.

Calshot

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.

Milford-on-Sea

Season: summer

Milford-on Sea is a friendly village and a popular visitor location, sitting just behind the stony beach, where there are beach huts and great views across to the Isle of Wight. From here you can walk along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. The village has a selection of excellent restaurants and a wine bar, as well as a fish ‘n chip shop. Nearby is The New Forest and its attractions, including the Motor Museum at Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard, where galleons for the Napoleonic Wars were built.

What the beach means to Angela and Huw.

Milford-on-Sea at the weekend.