Browndown Point to Portsmouth Harbour

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Continuing east from Browndown Point, the barren shingle beach provides peace and quiet. The first sign of habitation appears after half a mile as you enter Stokes Bay - a beach cafe. The bay continues eastwards, sweeping round in an attractive arc. The next building is the Pebble Beach Cafe, followed by Stokes Bay Sailing Club and GAFIRS - Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service. The next headland is reached soon after - Gilkicker Point. The tide can kick up a bit here. Turning the corner, the beach soon runs out as you reach Fort Monkton, an active military base. Landing here is strictly prohibited and you are unlikely to receive any sort of welcome. The beach is replaced with a hostile concrete sea defence known locally as the Hot Walls. The old red brick buildings visible behind are Haslar Hospital and Fort Blockhouse, again all owned by the MOD. You couldn't land here if you wanted to. As you arrive at Portsmouth Harbour entrance, keep an eye open for leisure and commercial shipping. You will find yourself at the Small Boat channel, which is fine if you want to enter Portsmouth Harbour.
To continue eastwards, you will need to stay slightly offshore and follow the channel buoys until clear of the harbour entrance before crossing. Beware of the tides near the harbour entrance, especially on Springs.

Access / Put-ins:
Stokes Bay beach and slipway.
Portsmouth Harbour at Haslar Lake or The Hard / The Camber.
Nature:
Not a lot along this stretch of coast.
History:
Haslar Hospital and Fort Blockhouse on view.
Waterside Pubs:
Pebble Beach Cafe is licensed.
Hazards:
Occasional live firing at Browndown, no landing places east of Gilkicker Point, tides and shipping at Portsmouth Harbour entrance.