Top UK Islands to Visit: How Many Have You Explored?
If you’ve ever wanted to escape the mainland of the UK and explore the countless islands dotted along our...
by Rob Hayes / Day Out Guides
Discover the best of the Hampshire coastline with this handpicked guide to the county’s most scenic beaches.
Whether you’re planning a summer staycation or just looking for a peaceful spot by the sea, Hampshire’s 230 mile coastline offers something for everyone. From family-friendly promenades to quiet, unspoilt shores ideal for dog walking and watersports.
So, if you’re heading to the South Coast and want to make the most of its natural charm, then be sure to check out one of the best beaches in Hampshire, all listed below to help you plan your perfect seaside escape!
Keep scrolling to explore the best beaches Hampshire has to offer…
• Hampshire Beaches FAQs
• The 7 Best Beaches in Hampshire
• Map of the Best Hampshire Beaches
• Live Hampshire Weather Report
Hayling Island Beach is a great choice for families, thanks to its Blue Flag status, clean waters and plenty of nearby attractions like Funland and the Hayling Seaside Railway. On the other hand, Milford-on-Sea Beach is another family-friendly option with safe walking routes and nearby amenities.
Yes, but it varies by location and time of year. For example, beaches like Brownwich and Barton-on-Sea welcome dogs year-round, while others, such as Hayling Island and Lee-on-the-Solent, have seasonal restrictions in place during the summer months . Always check ahead before visiting to avoid disappointment!
Calshot Beach and Hayling Island Beach are top picks for watersports including windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddleboarding, whereas Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head also offer good conditions for kayaking and sailing.
Lifeguard presence is limited. Hayling Island Beach is usually patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during peak summer months, but most others, including Barton-on-Sea and Calshot, don’t have lifeguards on duty.
Yes, you certainly can! Barton-on-Sea Beach is particularly well known for fossil hunting, especially after storms or along the cliff base.
Brownwich Beach and Hill Head Beach are among the quieter options, ideal for peaceful walks and nature spotting. These beaches tend to attract fewer crowds even in summer, making them perfect for a more relaxing day out.
Most Hampshire beaches are shingle or pebble, though some, like Hayling Island and parts of Calshot, have sandy patches at low tide.
Yes, most of the main beaches such as Hayling Island, Lee-on-the-Solent and Calshot offer nearby parking. However, more remote spots like Brownwich Beach require a short walk from nearby car parks and lay-bys.
First up on this list of the best beaches in Hampshire is the wonderful Hayling Island Beach, found on the namesake Hayling Island just off the mainland and a wonderful place to consider visiting for an afternoon by the sea. In fact, it’s a place that’s long been considered as one of the best beaches in England, and if you’ve been here before, it’s not hard to see why that is!
Nestled between the cities of Portsmouth and Chichester, this long stretch of mainly-shingle coastline offers panoramic views across the Solent and is backed by a wide promenade. The beach is also the proud holder of a Blue Flag award for cleanliness and water quality, making it a safe and pleasant location for families and those of you that are brave enough to try a bit of wild swimming!
If you’re into watersports, then Hayling Island will prove to be something of a haven for you. In fact, it’s a particularly popular spot for windsurfing, being the place where it was first pioneered, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.
Type: Sand & Pebbles
Parking: Chichester Avenue Car Park, PO11 9EZ
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: PO11 9HP
Dog-Friendly: Must be kept on a lead between 1st May – 30th September
Overlooking the Solent with beautiful views of the Isle of Wight, Lee-on-the-Solent Beach is a well-hidden hotspot that’s often overlooked when it comes to the best beaches in Hampshire. This south-facing shingle and pebble beach stretches along the promenade and makes for a lovely place to spend an afternoon in the sun.
When you arrive, you’ll have two large and spacious car parks to choose from, both of which sit right next to the beach. Here, you’ll also find an outdoor splash park for kids, as well as a handful of restaurants and cafés along Marine Parade Road. If you have the time, we’d also recommend heading down to the Hovercraft Museum for a wander around, where you can explore unique and interesting contraptions from years gone by.
Type: Shingle
Parking: Marine Parade Car Park, PO13 9LY
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: PO13 9LR
Dog-Friendly: Ban in place for signposted area between 1st May – 30th September
Found in the quaint village of Stubbington in Fareham just a few miles up long the coast of the Solent, Hill Head Beach is a picturesque spot on the Hampshire coast that’s relatively tucked away from crowds of tourists and holidaymakers, making it one of the best hidden UK beaches.
Known for its classic beach huts that sit alongside it, this beach is a favourite amongst locals who come here to enjoy the beautiful views across the water to the Isle of Wight. It’s also a popular place for sailing enthusiasts, given the fact that the local marina sits just at the northern end of the beach.
With great facilities at the beach including a block of public toilets and the popular Breeze Café nearby, it makes for the ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle for a relaxing day at the seaside.
Type: Shingle
Parking: Salterns Parking, PO14 3LU
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: PO14 3JT
Dog-Friendly: Banned on the main part of the beach from 1st May – 30th September
A popular stop-off point for walkers enjoying one of the best walks in the UK, the Solent Way, Brownwich Beach is an isolated and untouched hidden gem that sits well away from the area’s towns and villages. Making it one of the best Hampshire beaches for some peace and quiet.
Being a decent walk away from the car park, visitors will need to make their way along Brownwich Lane for around 20 minutes before reaching this beautiful Hampshire beach, but it’s worth it! Perfect for dog walkers, this beach doesn’t operate any seasonal restrictions, making it a great place to visit with your four-legged friends all year-round and easily one of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK.
However, due to its isolated location, it’s worth noting that you won’t find any facilities at this beach, including RNLI lifeguards. For that reason, it’s advised that visitors avoid swimming and water sports like surfing and kayaking here. However, if you’re simply looking for somewhere off the beaten track where you can enjoy the stunning views of the Solent, then Brownwich Beach is the place for you!
Type: Shingle & Pebble
Parking: Thatcher’s Copse Car Park (~20-minute walk from the beach), PO14 4HH
Parking Charge: Free
Postcode: SO31 9HG
Dog-Friendly: Yes (No restrictions)
Located at the mouth of Southampton Water, Calshot Beach is a unique and interesting spot on the Hampshire coast that is easily one of the best beaches in the county.
This shingle beach is backed by a colourful row of beach huts and offers sweeping views across the Solent and is also a great location for fishing and bird-spotting. The beach is situated next to Calshot Activities Centre, one of the UK’s largest outdoor adventure centres, making it ideal for those of you looking for plenty of things to do during your visit.
Not only that, but Calshot Beach is also a popular location for watersports, especially windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking, thanks to its consistent breeze and designated launch areas. For this reason, it’s often considered to be one of the best surfing beaches in the UK. However, it’s worth noting that RNLI lifeguards aren’t stationed here, so be sure to take lots of caution if you’re planning on swimming or taking part in watersports here.
You can also bring your pampered pooch along on your day out to Calshot Beach, however, they must be kept on a lead in signposted areas during the busiest summer months. Whilst here, be sure to take some time to visit and explore Calshot Castle, a small artillery fort built by Henry VIII, or enjoy walks along the spit with views of the busy shipping lanes leading into Southampton Docks.
Type: Shingle
Parking: Calshot Beach Car Park, SO45 1BR
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: SO45 1BP
Dog-Friendly: Yes (However, dogs must be kept on leads in signposted areas)
Moving along to the western mouth of the Solent, next up on this list of the best beaches in Hampshire is Milford-on-Sea. With its sweeping views of the Isle of Wight and The Needles, Milford-on-Sea Beach is a lovely stretch of shingle and pebble that sits along the southern edge of the New Forest, making it a firm favourite with both tourists and those that are local to the region.
Being a town that’s home to a host of soe of the UK’s best holiday parks, this Hampshire beach is often packed full of visitors during the warmer months of the year, so we’d advise getting here early if you plan on visiting on a sunny day to secure a great spot.
If you’re into kayaking or paddleboarding, then you’re in luck, as this beach is pretty well known for its calm waters. However, strong currents can often arise here, and with no regular RNLI lifeguard patrols here, we’d recommend taking extra care if you plan on heading into the water.
Afterwards, be sure to head down to the Needles Eye Café or The Lighthouse restaurant for a drink and a bite to eat whilst taking in the beautiful views across the bay!
Type: Shingle
Parking: Hurst Road East Car Park, SO41 0PY
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: SO41 0PY
Dog-Friendly: Yes (No restrictions)
Last but not least in this guide covering the best beaches in Hampshire is Barton-on-Sea Beach. Found just a few miles from the town of Highcliffe on the outskirts of Bournemouth, this beach is backed by high coastal cliffs where visitors can walk along and take in the views across to the Isle of Wight, all whilst sitting alongside one of the best seaside towns in the UK!
Not only is it a popular destination for holidaymakers and watersports enthusiasts, but there’s also no restrictions in place for dog walkers at any time of the year. Not only that, but it’s also regarded as a haven for fossil hunters too, being a place that has a particular abundance of ammonites. So if you want to try your hand at fossil hunting, this is the beach for you!
No matter what you choose to get up to here, you’ll have a handful of wonderful places to stop off for a drink and a bite to eat afterwards, with there being two cafés and the popular Pebbles Restaurant sitting right at the heart of the promenade in-between the two spacious car parks.
Type: Shingle & Pebble
Parking: Marine Drive (East & West Car Parks)
Parking Charge: Pay & Display (Both)
Postcode: BH25 7DT
Dog-Friendly: Yes (No restrictions)
Discover even more places to enjoy a day by the coast with this guide covering the best beaches in the UK. Or, if you’re already set on the idea of staying here for your next break, the be sure to check out these collections of holiday cottages in Hampshire and cottages on the Isle of Wight!
Image Credits: ITookSomePhotos [1] [2] – CC0 1.0; David Martin – CC BY-SA 2.0
by Rob Hayes / Day Out Guides
I'm Rob and I joined the Sykes team in February 2024. I am a passionate writer and have always enjoyed holidays in the UK, especia...
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