Lee On Solent SU 559 007 GB
Hill Head SU 534 022 GB
River Hamble SU 486 054 GB
Browndown Point to Lee On Solent
Browndown Point, the head of a long stretch of desolate shingle beach, marks the start of Lee on the Solent sea front. After half a mile, you quickly come to the traditional sea front view of apartment blocks. The beach is steep shelving and you paddle through a jet ski area. At the far western end of the sea front here, you come to a large public slip way. Look to the top of it for views of the former cross-channel hovercraft (and others) now stored at the hovercraft museum at HMS Daedalus. Also resident here is India Juliet - the Coast Guard helicopter. Be alert in the vicinity of this slipway. Less than careful jet ski operators are often found here.
Browndown Point, the head of a long stretch of desolate shingle beach, marks the start of Lee on the Solent sea front. After half a mile, you quickly come to the traditional sea front view of apartment blocks. The beach is steep shelving and you paddle through a jet ski area. At the far western end of the sea front here, you come to a large public slip way. Look to the top of it for views of the former cross-channel hovercraft (and others) now stored at the hovercraft museum at HMS Daedalus. Also resident here is India Juliet - the Coast Guard helicopter. Be alert in the vicinity of this slipway. Less than careful jet ski operators are often found here.
Hill Head 
Once clear of the slip way, the coast line quickly becomes more desolate, with a few beach huts and a sandy beach extending some way out to sea. The coast behind becomes a low cliff with houses on top. One of these is in fact a pub, the Osbourne View. Landing is possible below the pub. A little further along, Hill Head Harbour can be found, a tiny pocket visible mainly because of the collection of yacht masts visible over the shingle beach. The entrance is marked by a large white building - Hill Head Sailing Club. When the sea is running to high for a beach landing, the narrow harbour entrance can be negotiated, usually surfing through the waves into the stillness behind the breakwater. The harbour marks the mouth of the River Meon (not navigable). There are a few patches of shingle to land on and this makes a good lunch stop.
Once clear of the slip way, the coast line quickly becomes more desolate, with a few beach huts and a sandy beach extending some way out to sea. The coast behind becomes a low cliff with houses on top. One of these is in fact a pub, the Osbourne View. Landing is possible below the pub. A little further along, Hill Head Harbour can be found, a tiny pocket visible mainly because of the collection of yacht masts visible over the shingle beach. The entrance is marked by a large white building - Hill Head Sailing Club. When the sea is running to high for a beach landing, the narrow harbour entrance can be negotiated, usually surfing through the waves into the stillness behind the breakwater. The harbour marks the mouth of the River Meon (not navigable). There are a few patches of shingle to land on and this makes a good lunch stop.
The Meon Shore 
Heading west from the harbour entrance, the coast becomes barren and desolate. The shingle beach stretches uninterrupted for several miles to Southampton Water entrance and the mouth of the River Hamble.For about half this distance, a low but distinctive brown cliff can be seen, adding to the feeling of remoteness. Of course, look the other way and Calshot and Fawley are in view. This stretch of coast offers peace and quiet, with little other marine traffic but no access other than at each end. Look at the map clippings for parking options, Beware that at low tide, you may have a long portage over the sands.
Passing Solent Breezes Caravan Park, the beach continues and curves round into the mouth the the River Hamble, with the first access point being Warsash and the Rising Sun public house.
Heading west from the harbour entrance, the coast becomes barren and desolate. The shingle beach stretches uninterrupted for several miles to Southampton Water entrance and the mouth of the River Hamble.For about half this distance, a low but distinctive brown cliff can be seen, adding to the feeling of remoteness. Of course, look the other way and Calshot and Fawley are in view. This stretch of coast offers peace and quiet, with little other marine traffic but no access other than at each end. Look at the map clippings for parking options, Beware that at low tide, you may have a long portage over the sands.
Passing Solent Breezes Caravan Park, the beach continues and curves round into the mouth the the River Hamble, with the first access point being Warsash and the Rising Sun public house.
Access / Put-ins:
Lee On Solent: All states of tide / shingle beach.
Lee On Solent: All states of tide / shingle beach.
Hill Head: All states of tide, but beware of long portage across sand at low tide.
River Hamble: Public hard at Warsash - all states if tide.
Nature:
Birds of prey can often be seen soaring on the updraft from the cliffs at Meon Shore.
Birds of prey can often be seen soaring on the updraft from the cliffs at Meon Shore.
History:
Lee On Solent: The former cross-channel hovercraft.
Waterside Pubs:
Hill Head: The Osbourne View
Warsash: The Rising Sun (River Hamble)
Hazards:
Jet Skis in the vicinity of Lee On Solent.
Lee On Solent: The former cross-channel hovercraft.
Waterside Pubs:
Hill Head: The Osbourne View
Warsash: The Rising Sun (River Hamble)
Hazards:
Jet Skis in the vicinity of Lee On Solent.
Good for people to know.
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