5 Blissful Beaches Near Southampton

Located on Britain’s glorious southern coast, Southampton is a bustling metropolis, a wonderful blend of an old port town and a cosmopolitan centre, complemented perfectly with stunning views of the Solent.

Thinking of booking a trip to Southampton, you’re guaranteed a comfortable stay in our City Centre and Grand Harbour hotels.

There are a wide range of gorgeous beaches in Southampton and the surrounding areas. Here are five of our favourites:

Calshot Beach

Distance from Southampton: 16.3 miles

Arguably one of the most picturesque beaches in Britain, Calshot Beach offers unparalleled views of the Solent, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Located just over half an hour’s drive from the centre of Southampton, the beach has a mile-long stretch of shingle, from which you can get a sterling view of the ships coming and going from one of the country’s most vital ports.

The beach itself is home to one of the UK’s largest watersports centres, where you can partake in a wide range of activities such as windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing, so it’s the perfect spot to soak up some rays and play some sports with the family.

To the east of the beach lies Calshot Castle, an imposing fortress built by Henry VIII in the 16^th century, and is considered to be one of the most well-preserved examples of a Tudor military base.

Alum Chime

Distance from Southampton: 35 miles

Just south of Bournemouth is the beautiful Alum Chime beach. This award-winning Blue Flag stretch of sand and shingle is situated far enough away from Bournemouth Pier to be a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle, while still being close enough not to miss out on city life.

Families with young children are well catered to here, with a huge, pirate-themed adventure playground and a selection of ice cream kiosks. There’s also a wonderful tropical garden nearby that makes for an interesting place to explore should you need a break from the sands.

Tanners Lane Beach

Distance from Southampton: 17.8 miles

Tanners Lane is a long road which runs through the breathtaking New Forest. Travel to the end of this winding lane and you’ll eventually reach a quiet, picturesque beach. While there’s not much here by way of watersports or playgrounds, this tranquil stretch of pebbles is a wonderful place for an afternoon stroll, watching the boats go by or, weather permitting, a few hours of sunbathing.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot some New Forest ponies wandering along the shoreline.

Southsea Beach

Distance from Southampton: 23.1 miles

The beautiful Southsea beach is located in Portsmouth, and has been a popular spot for sunbathing since the early 19^th century. This long stretch of shingle stretches from Eastney to Old Portsmouth, and is famous for its recreational area and canoe lake, making it the perfect choice for families with children. Peer across the deep blue and you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Isle of Wight and The Solent, as well as a series of 19^th century forts speckled across the waterline.

Southsea beach is located just a mile south of Portsmouth city centre, which has a variety of quirky cafes and bars to enjoy after your day in the sun.

Highcliffe Beach

Distance from Southampton: 22.6 miles

Highcliffe Beach sits right on the border between Dorset and Hampshire, and is well known across both counties as being one of the best in the region. This long stretch of sand and shingle is popular with families and surfers, and has a picturesque backdrop of grassy dunes and low cliffs.

The beach is convenient to reach from Southampton City Centre, and features a large car park, as well as a variety of useful facilities like baby-changing and a quirky café.

For more travel tips like these, visit the Leonardo Hotels blog.