Photo: Paul Pollard, CC BY-SA 2.0Family beaches and seaside days out in Hampshire
9 beaches and seaside days out in Hampshire that suit families, each checked against official sources. Of these, 8 are free to enter, 1 has indoor space and 1 is marked as suiting toddlers.
Tides, parking and any seasonal dog or watersport rules vary from beach to beach, so check the council or owner's notice before you go.
Free to enter
Free entry. Parking, food and activities inside can cost extra, so check each listing.
Photo: Paul Pollard, CC BY-SA 2.0Lepe Country Park
A Hampshire County Council country park on the Solent shore at the edge of the New Forest, looking across to the Isle of Wight. Beach and meadow walks lead past remains from the D-Day preparations of 1944 and a Cold War observation post, with a play area, cafe and kiosk near the shore.
Barton-on-Sea clifftop and beach
A stretch of council-managed clifftop open space above Christchurch Bay at Barton-on-Sea, used for walking, cycling, picnics and watching wildlife. Designated paths and steps lead down to the beach, a designated bathing water, with beach huts along the shore.
Photo of Hayling Island: Samthecrazyman, CC BY-SA 4.0Hayling Island Seafront and Beaches
More than three miles of beaches on Hayling Island, used for kitesurfing, sailing and walking. It is reached by car, by the Hayling Billy Coastal Path, or by bus from Havant.
Photo: ITookSomePhotos, CC0Hill Head Beach
A shingle beach on the Solent at the edge of Fareham, with views across to the Isle of Wight and Osborne House. Coastal walks run east to Lee-on-the-Solent and west towards Meon Shore and the Hamble estuary.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Lee-on-the-Solent Beach
Lee-on-the-Solent has a shingle beach with views of ships and yachts moving up and down the Solent. The waterfront has a children’s playground and a splash park, along with shops and restaurants.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Milford on Sea beach and clifftop
The seafront at Milford on Sea, looked after by New Forest District Council, runs from Hordle Cliff and Paddy's Gap in the west to Hurst Road, where the shingle spit heads out towards Hurst Castle. Beach huts line the promenade, and the clifftop grassland at Hordle Cliff is managed for wild flowers and wildlife.
Southsea Seafront and Common
Four miles of seafront from Old Portsmouth to Eastney, with beaches, historic defences, green space and a promenade with views across the Solent. Southsea Common and Canoe Lake Park sit alongside, with space to walk, picnic and barbecue.
Photo: Brendan and Ruth McCartney, CC BY-SA 2.0Stokes Bay
Stokes Bay is a seafront beach in Gosport, with a promenade, car parks and the Gosport splash park for children. The Pebble Beach car park sits next to the sailing club.
Paid entry
Each card shows the price band; the listing has the details.
Photo: Phil Champion, CC BY-SA 2.0Calshot Castle and Calshot Spit
A round artillery fort built by Henry VIII in 1539 to guard the sea passage to Southampton, standing at the tip of Calshot Spit with views across the Solent. Later used against smugglers and as an RAF seaplane base, it is owned by English Heritage and run by the neighbouring Calshot Activities Centre, whose shingle beaches are open to all.
Questions people ask
Which beaches and seaside days out in Hampshire are free to enter?
Our listings show free entry at Lepe Country Park, Barton-on-Sea clifftop and beach, Hayling Island Seafront and Beaches, Hill Head Beach, Lee-on-the-Solent Beach, Milford on Sea beach and clifftop, Southsea Seafront and Common and Stokes Bay. Check each listing for anything charged on top, such as parking, food or activities.
Which of these suit toddlers?
Our listings mark Lepe Country Park as suiting toddlers and young children.
Which of these have indoor space?
Our listings show indoor space at Calshot Castle and Calshot Spit. The others are listed as outdoor visits, so dress for the weather.