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Hampshire is popular for its rich history and cultural heritage. Nestled along the southern coast of England, it is also home to some of the best beaches in the country. Although this county mostly has a bumpy, rocky beach shoreline due to strong waves and erosion, there are also sandy beaches in Hampshire.
These are the place to be if you’re tired of visiting shingle beaches and want to enjoy the tranquil seaside beauty of a sandy beach. Keep reading this article to discover the best beaches with sand in Hampshire. These beaches are family-friendly, comfortable and ideal for various beach sports.
Table Of Contents
Is There Any Fully Sandy Beach In Hampshire?
There isn’t a fully sandy beach in Hampshire. Hampshire’s coastline is predominantly made up of shingle beaches. However, some beaches have long stretches of sand.
Coastal shingles made from deposits of rounded pebbles line many of the UK’s shores. Wave action and erosion cause these pebbles to rub against each other, creating a shingle coastline on most beaches in Hampshire and some other parts of the UK.
Top 6 Beaches With Sand In Hampshire
Hampshire has a few beautiful sandy beach destinations, and we’ll go over the top six.
1. Lepe Beach
Lepe Beach is a part of Lepe Country Club on the coast of Hampshire, next to the entrance to the Beaulieu River. This beautiful beach is popular among water sports enthusiasts and walkers.
The south-facing beach has plenty of sand with some rocks and several great sunbathing spots. Tourists can take beach walks down the quiet parts or relax and enjoy stunning views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
The Hampshire County Council manages the Lepe Country Club and everything within.
You can bring your dogs along, but they are restricted from the main part of the beach between April and September. There is pay-and-display parking right on the beachfront for car owners, and it features vital facilities such as toilets, cafes and first aid points.
2. Hayling Island
The Hayling Island seafront stretches over three miles to the south. The island has three major beaches, West, Beachlands Central and Eastoke, which connect to form an impressive shingle beach with stretches of sand in between.
West Beach is shingly with sand at low tide and is separated from the road by dunes. The West Winner sandbank provides some shelter in the bay, making it a great place for swimmers.
Hayling Island has a rich history in water sports and has hosted various national and international sailing events.
Beachlands Central Beach is also a mixture of shingles and sand, and it has several family-friendly facilities. Eastoke Beach has pebbles and sand, as well as a grassy area for picnics.
3. Southsea Beach
Southsea Beach stretches from Old Portsmouth to Eastney. It is mostly made up of flinty shingles, but there is a stretch of sand at low tide. It is a great place to visit with your kids and friends, especially when the waters are calm.
Southsea Beach gets its name from Southsea Castle, once part of the UK defences.
Southsea Beach is suitable for various activities, ranging from swimming and picnicking to crazy golf. The beach offers excellent views of the Isle of Wight and boats passing across the Solent, which you can enjoy while sunbathing.
4. Lee-On-Solent
Lee-on-Solent is an attractive beach that lies to the west of Gosport, Portsmouth and Southampton. It is one of the best places to enjoy views of the Solent between the south coast and the Isle of Wight.
Find out how long it takes to travel from Southampton to the Isle of Wight.
The beach is mostly shingle, with sandy parts in between. It also has grassy areas that are great for picnics and a paved walkway running across the entire length of the beach for walkers.
Lee-on-Solent is home to the Hovercraft Museum, which is open to the public on Saturdays.
Lee-on Solent is dog-friendly for most of the year, except for between May and September. Facilities on the beach include parking, shops, restaurants, cafes, toilets, a slipway and a children’s play area.
5. Milford-On-Sea
Milford-on-Sea is one of the few beaches in Hampshire that are fully dog-friendly, so you can visit with your furry pet at any time of the year. The beach’s shoreline mostly has shingles and pebbles, but there are also areas with sand.
Milford-on-Sea offers breathtaking views of the English Channel and the Isle of Wight. The beach is divided into two sections: Hordle Cliff and Hurst Road.
Keyhaven Nature Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is just a short distance from Milford-on-Sea Beach.
Hordle Cliff is sandy at low tide, and the waters on this side draw the attention of swimmers, kite surfers and paddle boarders. It is also home to the colourful Milford-on-Sea beach huts.
Hurst Road welcomes many visitors who come to enjoy the play park and views of the Solent. It also has a walkway that is great for dog walkers.
6. Barton-On-Sea
Barton-on-Sea is a shingle and sandy beach with high clay cliffs. The area has some stunning clifftop walks and offers excellent views towards Hengistbury Head to the west and the Solent and the Isle of Wight to the east.
Many tourists visit the beach to enjoy various activities such as swimming, kite surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding. There are also grassy cliffs where you can picnic and take in views of the Needles.
The cliffs around Barton-on-Sea have layers of fossil-rich clay, which makes them great for fossil hunting.
Barton-on-Sea is dog-friendly all year, and it has various important facilities such as toilets, beach cafes, restaurants and shops.
See here the best overall beaches in Hampshire.
Bonus: Sandy Beaches Close To Hampshire
If you don’t mind venturing outside of Hampshire, there are some great sandy beaches nearby that you can visit.
1. Bournemouth Beach (Dorset)
The beautiful Bournemouth Bay stretches in both directions from Bournemouth Pier. Bournemouth’s micro-climate and warm sea temperature make this one of the most relaxing UK beaches for adults and children.
The sandy beach offers magnificent views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks, so it’s great for those who want to admire the coastline. You can bring your dogs to the beach between October and April, but you must put them on a lead and clean up after them.
Bournemouth also has other great sandy beaches, such as Alum Chine, Hengistbury, Southbourne and Mudeford Sandbank.
Tip: Familiarise yourself with the local beach conditions before getting into the water.
2. Ryde (Isle Of Wight)
On the northeastern coast of the Isle of Wight lie the beaches of Ryde. Ryde Beach offers miles of sand and plenty of space at low tide, making it easy to find a space for your family even during the summer.
You can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, sunbathing and dog-walking on the wide expanses of sandy beaches during low tide.
There are many entrances to the beach to accommodate the visitors who come here. The area also has important facilities such as deckchairs, sun loungers, windbreaks and shops and cafes to provide food and other important items.
3. Friars Cliff Beach (Dorset)
Friars Cliff is an award-winning beach near Christchurch. It is a great beach for families looking to swim and paddle in the gentle waves. The beach also offers spectacular views over Hurst Spit, the Purbeck Hills and the Isle of Wight.
The terrain is mostly sand with shingle patches, making it great for sunbathing. The beach is backed by a promenade featuring attractive beach huts, which visitors can rent.
From Friars Cliff Beach, you can take a clifftop walk to 19th-century Highcliffe Castle.
You can visit the beach’s cafe to enjoy homemade meals and snacks. There is also a wide range of essential facilities spread across the beach.
4. Highcliffe-On-Sea (Dorset)
Highcliffe-on-Sea’s beach comprises shingles and sand, making it ideal for bodyboarding, bathing and numerous other activities. It is also surrounded by grassy dunes and bushes, which make it ideal for picnics.
Dogs are welcome all year, although they are restricted to certain areas during the summer, and you must always put them on lead.
The Highcliffe-on-Sea beach is surrounded by unique cliff habitats, which serve as home to many of the UK’s rare species of reptiles, birds and insects. The beach has parking space for over 400 cars and facilities like toilets, beach bars, cafes and restaurants.
Hire an estate car for your family’s fun trip to the beach. SDVH also offers minibus rentals for large-group travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Beaches In Hampshire Have Sand?
Beaches in Hampshire that have sand are Hayling Island, Milford-on-Sea, Lepe, Solent-on-Sea, Barton-On-Sea and Southsea beaches. Although the majority of Hampshire’s beaches are composed of shingles, these six beaches feature long stretches of sand or sand mixed with pebbles on the shores.
Are There Any Fully Sandy Beaches Close To Hampshire?
Yes, there are fully sandy beaches close to Hampshire, and the closest is Bournemouth Beach. Bournemouth Beach lies in the neighbouring county of Dorset. It is a Blue Flag beach, indicating a high standard of cleanliness, and it has a lively atmosphere. Other great beaches around Hampshire with high amounts of sand include Ryde and Friars Cliff.
Which Beaches In Bournemouth Are Sandy?
The beaches in Bournemouth that are sandy are Bournemouth Beach, Hengistbury Head Beach, Alum Chine Beach, Southbourne Beach and Mudeford Sandbank Beach. Most of these beaches have long stretches of sand, which makes them great for sunbathing. They also have various important facilities for visitors.
Are There Any White Sand Beaches In England?
Yes, there are white sand beaches in England, such as Studland Beach in Dorset and Holkham Beach in Norfolk. These beaches offer a unique experience due to their lighter-coloured sand, which is rare in England. The majority of beaches in England comprise shingles with sandy patches.
Conclusion
Sandy beaches are perfect for anyone seeking relaxation due to their soft, loose texture. Although there aren’t any entirely sandy beaches in Hampshire, the county has many beaches with long stretches of sand, especially at low tide. The beaches in this article offer excellent atmospheres and clean waters, making them great for unwinding.
