Autumn days out on the beaches in Hampshire

Great beaches and days out in Hampshire.

The weather is drawing in now, and the days are shorter, but nothing is as uplifting as a day on the beach, and those around Hampshire are well worth a visit.

Many of the beaches in Hampshire are dog-friendly, especially now that the main Summer holiday is past. While most are shingle, they are great for slightly cooler beachcombing and relaxing.  If you’re further afield then why not make a weekend of it as there is plenty of accommodation to choose from.

Barton on Sea

Hayling Island photo
Photo at Barton opn Sea by StuartWebster

Barton on Sea beach is stony with sandy areas backed by the cliffs.  Large stretches of grass on the cliffs allow you to take in the views across to the Isle of Wight and the Needles.

It’s a great beachcombing area as it’s well-known for fossils and has a stunning cliff-top golf course too!  There is a cafe and newsagents here, the Beachcomber cafe is quite famous in the region!

Good parking and other facilities make this beach a firm local favourite.

Hill Head Beach

hill head gosport photo
Hill Head photo by strife

This shingle beach is bordered by Salterns Park and offers great promenade walks as well as the grassy area of the park to laze in.  There is also the Haven Nature Reserve nearby and the beach is of special interest with good wildlife habitats and Brent geese.  Great for birdwatchers and those just wanting an interesting day out in the fresh air. There are good facilities and the beach is recommended for swimming, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.

Milford on Sea

"Milford on Sea beach

Milford on Sea Beach is a dog-friendly beach worth visiting.  It is a long shingle beach with character beach huts lining the promenade and low cliffs back it.  It adjoins a nature reserve, making it the perfect nearest beach for walking your dog.

There’s an excellent walk from this beach along  Hurst Spit to the castle and you can enjoy a snack or lunch at the Needle Eye Cafe and offer the kids an ice-cream at the kiosk there.  The other eatery is the art deco Marine Cafe on the east side of the beach which has great views of the Needles from the top floor.  Shops are about 500 yards away and parking is really good.

Avon Beach, Christchurch

avon beach christchurch photo
Avon beach photo by ell brown

Avon Beach is sandy and offers great views, beach huts to rent and a good quay where you can buy crab lines and bait or book a boat trip.

The facilities here are endless with cafes, play areas, deck chairs, first aid, lifeguard, showers, baby change, shops, and lots of parking.  It’s a busy beach for families but a good one for water sports and swimming.

Hayling Island

Hayling Island photo
Photo at Hayling Island west beach by a time

Hayling Island offers plenty of sandy beaches with lots of space for dogs and wonderful views, making Hayling a very popular dog-friendly beach for everyone. With over 3 miles of beaches along the seafront, there are vast stretches of open water where you can often see yachts and ferries crossing. The west beach is perfect for swimming, providing excellent sailing conditions and a great family day out.