This attractive shingle beach offers great views of passing yachts and ships travelling up and down the Solent. The water cleanliness is rated excellent quality. A tarmac path behind the beach offers great access for pedestrians, including those with pushchairs or wheelchairs.
The waterfront also offers a children’s playground and splash park, along with independent shops and restaurants. You can often watch planes arriving at or leaving the nearby Solent Airport – including historic WWII craft, if you’re lucky. Dogs are allowed on the beach outside of the summer season. On a clear day you can see across to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, as well as Queen Victoria’s Osborne House.
Facts:
- Lee-on-the-Solent was originally developed as a Victorian seaside resort.
- The beach is a prime spot for watching sailing and naval vessels.
- During World War II, it was used for amphibious landing practice.
- The Solent here is renowned for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
- At low tide, you can sometimes spot the remains of a sunken landing craft.
- The nearby Hovercraft Museum occasionally conducts live demonstrations.
- Lee on the Solent Sea Front was the best viewing for the ‘The Shneider Trophy Air Speed Races’ between the wars and still the best place to view the ever- increasing number of Cruise Liners as they pass along the Solent.
