What’s a holiday without a trip to the beach? Hampshire’s 40-mile coastline is home to many beautiful beaches, offering a mix of sandy shores, pebble beaches, and stunning coastal scenery.
Here are our top 10 beaches to visit on your camping trip in Hampshire:
1. Bournemouth Beach
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- Location: Bournemouth
- Features: Bournemouth Bay stretches in both directions from Bournemouth Pier. The sandy beach offers magnificent views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks, so it’s great for those who want to admire the coastline.
2. Lepe Beach
- Location: New Forest coast, near Exbury
- Features: Lepe Beach offers a mix of sand and shingle, with picturesque views of the Isle of Wight. It’s a great spot for picnics, coastal walks, and birdwatching, with Lepe Country Park nearby offering trails and scenic viewpoints. The beach is also rich in history, having been a key site during the D-Day landings.
3. Milford-on-Sea
- Location: Near Lymington
- Features: A long shingle beach with views across to the Isle of Wight and The Needles. Milford-on-Sea is ideal for walking, especially along the Solent Way, and is a popular spot for beachcombing and kite flying. The beach is backed by colourful beach huts and offers a traditional seaside experience.
4. Hayling Island Beach
- Location: Near Portsmouth
- Features: Hayling Island is known for its sandy and pebble beaches, with areas like West Beach being particularly popular. The island is a hub for water sports, especially windsurfing, as it’s considered the birthplace of the sport. The beach also has a funfair and amusement arcades, making it a family-friendly destination.
5. Barton-on-Sea
- Location: Near New Milton
- Features: This shingle beach offers stunning views of the Isle of Wight and is known for its fossil-rich cliffs, making it a great spot for fossil hunting. The beach is popular with walkers and those looking to enjoy a peaceful coastal experience.
6. Hill Head Beach
- Location: Near Fareham
- Features: A quiet, pebbly beach with clear views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Hill Head Beach is popular for sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching, particularly around the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve.
7. Southsea Beach
- Location: Portsmouth
- Features: Southsea Beach is a shingle beach that’s bustling with activity, especially in the summer. The beach is lined with attractions, including South Parade Pier, Clarence Pier, and Southsea Common. It’s a lively spot with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and entertainment options nearby.
8. Calshot Beach
- Location: Near Southampton
- Features: A shingle beach with stunning views across the Solent, Calshot Beach is a popular spot for water sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing. The beach is also home to Calshot Activities Centre, where you can try a range of adventurous activities. The historic Calshot Castle, built by Henry VIII, adds a touch of history to the visit.
9. Highcliffe-On-Sea
- Location: Dorset
- Features: Highcliffe-on-Sea’s beach is shingles and sand, making it ideal for bodyboarding. Surrounded by grassy dunes and bushes, which make it ideal for picnics. The beach has parking space for over 400 cars and facilities like toilets, beach bars, cafes and restaurants.
10. Avon Beach
- Location: Mudeford
- Features: The sandy beach sits just east of Mudeford Quay and marks the start of the Christchurch Bay which stretches out towards Highcliffe. On the beach is a seafood restaurant, café and beach huts. It’s a great location for watersports, swimming and bathing.
These beaches offer a diverse range of activities, from water sports and fossil hunting to peaceful walks and family-friendly fun, making Hampshire’s coastline a great place to explore.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Hampshire
We advise checking signs for restrictions, and some dogs may be required to stay on their lead:
New Forest
- Barton-on-Sea
- Friars Cliff
- Highcliffe
- Hordle Cliff
- Keyhaven
- Lepe
- Milford on Sea
- Calshot
Solent, Fareham & Gosport
- Lee-on-Solent
- Gosport
- Stokes Bay
Portsmouth
- Southsea Beach
- Old Portsmouth Beach
- Eastney
Hayling Island
- West Beachlands
- West Hayling
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