Southampton is a lively metropolis, a lovely blend of an old port town and a cosmopolitan center. Although there are just a few beaches in Southampton city, the surrounding area boasts many gorgeous beaches to discover. Southampton beaches are excellent spots to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
- QUICK TRAVEL INFO
- Closest Beach To Southampton: Solent Breezes Beach
- Well-Rated Hotel In Southampton: Moxy Southampton
- London to Southampton: Transportation to Southampton via Stonehenge
Whether you need traditional seaside fun with your family or hidden gems where you can relax and take in the sea air, their beautiful Southampton beaches are ideal for you. Here are some of the beaches in and near Southampton.
Nearest Beach To Southampton
Solent Breezes Beach
Solent breeze is the nearest beach to Southampton, and it is set underneath low cliffs, looking out to the Solent from close to the mouth of Southampton water. Because of this, the beach enjoys great views across to Calshot and the Isle of Wight.
This shingle beach is perfect for little explorers and a great place to enjoy a picnic with your family. Boating and paddling are popular here, and the clear water is also excellent for swimming. Dogs are allowed all year round on the beach but look for restriction signs.
The Solent Breezes Holiday is right in front of the beach and features a shop and swimming pool.
Best Southampton Beaches For Watersports
Calshot Beach
Calshot Beach is no doubt one of the best beaches in Southampton. It is a shingle beach situated in the west corner of Southampton Water. From this beach, you get an excellent view of ships coming and going from one of the largest ports in the UK.
Here, you can see the Solent, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight in its entirety; it is also the site of the Calshot Castle.
Calshot beach is lined with colorful beach huts at one end of the spit and is also home to the largest watersports and outdoor activities center on one end of the spit.
Water sports enthusiasts enjoy various activities here, including surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, kitesurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and climbing. The clear water is appropriate for swimming and bathing so remember to go with your swimwear and snorkel gear if you want to explore beneath the waters.
Aside from watersports, you can also enjoy traditional seaside fun with your family on this beach.
Highcliffe Beach
Highcliffe is one of the best beaches near Southampton, popular with swimmers and surfers. Don’t be deceived by the name; the sand and shingle beach is actually backed by grassy dunes, low-rise cliffs, and trees.
Getting to the beach can be difficult, especially for the disabled, as steps descend to the beach. However, there is a slope wheelchair path.
Highcliffe beach is also an excellent spot for families with little kids as all necessary facilities, including baby changing facilities, are available. Restaurants and cafes are available just a few minutes from the beach in the center of the town.
Activities you can enjoy here are kayaking, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, sailing, surfing, and water skiing.
Hill Head Beach
This extensive stretch of shingle beach is situated across the Solent from the Isle of Wight. If you are a watersports enthusiast, you would love it here because the water offers good sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Jet skiing, swimming, and fishing are other activities that draw people to this beach.
You can enjoy a fun time with your family on this beach, picnicking and playing games. Hill head overlooks one of the busiest sea lanes to and from the English coast, making it an excellent spot for watching the boats come and go.
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Best Southampton Beaches For Families
Lepe Beach
Lepe beach is a long stretch of sand and shingles and is one of the most beautiful beaches near Southampton. It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with gorgeous views of the Isle of Wight.
It is a great spot to enjoy a day out by the beach with your family, and the cliffs above this beach offer a large area of grass suitable for picnics and ball games. There is also a first aid point in case of any injury or accident.
The beach is a favorite for windsurfers and kite surfers. Other activities you can enjoy on this beach are canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Lee-on-Solent Beach
No matter what time of the year it is, there is always something going on at Lee-on-Solent beach.
This lovely shingle beach is one of the best Southampton beaches and is an excellent spot to unwind and have fun with your family.
This wonderful beach is between Portsmouth and Southampton; therefore, you can watch the cargo ships, cruise liners, and yachts pass through the Solent’s waters here.
If you’re an explorer, you can look into the rock pools; there may be something hidden there for you. Fancy a picnic; there are grassy areas behind the beach where you can lay down your beach mat, have a picnic, and play games.
Popular sports here include swimming, fishing, jet skiing, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. There are many places to grab ice creams, food, and drinks alongside the beach.
Stokes Bay
If you need a day out on a beach near Southampton, you can head down to Stokes Bay, a fantastic beach perfect for a family’s day out. This shingle beach has excellent views of the Isle of Wight, and large grassy areas are adjacent to the beach with a place for barbecues where you can have a picnic.
Although there are no sands on this beach to build sandcastles, there are still lots of activities to enjoy. Stokes bay is suitable for swimming, canoeing, golfing, windsurfing, swimming, and sailing.
Where To Stay In Southampton
Moxy Southampton
Moxy Southampton is a hotel in the town center. It is close to popular points of interest, including Southampton Guildhall, WestQuay, and St. Michael’s Church.
Among the facilities available at this accommodation are a restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge. The accommodation offers a continental or buffet breakfast and evening entertainment.
Circle Guest House Bed Only
Located in the heart of Southampton, Circle Guest House Bed Only offers comfortable bed accommodations. There are different room sizes here, from single to twin and double. There are numerous restaurants, pubs, and supermarkets within 10 minutes of this hotel.
Lodge at Solent
An affordable accommodation with comfortable rooms and modern design. The hotel offers a bar, on-site dining, and a continental breakfast for a relaxing stay.
Enjoying The Southampton Beaches
Here are some of the best beaches in Southampton, UK. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful spot to relax or a bustling beach with lots of activities, there are options available. Find some time to discover the best beaches in Southampton on your next visit to the lovely town.
