6 Best Sandy Beaches in Hampshire – An Ultimate Guide

Looking for a sandy beach in Hampshire?

We’ve lived in Hamble in Hampshire for the past 10 years and love heading to the beach whenever we can with our boys and our dog.  Hamble has beaches, however, our local ones are made up of shingle and pebbles.  We often want to head to a sandy beach for a change because (as our son will tell you) you can’t make sandcastles from shingle beaches!  The first thing to answer is, are there any sandy beaches in Hampshire? Yes!

Yes, whilst Hampshire’s coastline tends to be more shingle beaches and pebble beach than sandy one.  It doesn’t have a full-on sandy beach like nearby Bournemouth beach in Dorset.  However, there are some stretches of beach in Hampshire that have sandy sections on them, perfect for when you need to make sandcastles.  We’ve put together a list of these beaches, and where to find the sand, and other cool information to know before you go.

6 Best sandy beaches in Hampshire

1. Lepe Beach

Lepe Beach is inside Lepe Country Park on Hampshire’s coastline and is next to the entrance of the Beaulieu River. You’ll find that this stunning beach is very popular with both water sports fand and walkers.

This southern-facing beach has lots of sand and several fantastic sunbathing spots. You can also take some great beach walks along the quieter parts of the beach.  Or, maybe relax and take in some stunning views of the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight.

Dogs

You are allowed to walk your dogs here, however, they have restricted access on the main beach between April and September. 

2. Hayling Island Beach

The seafront at Hayling Island stretches more than three miles in the south of Hampshire.  Hayling Island has an amazing history in water sports and has hosted many national and international sailing events.  Carl and I regularly head there to go sailing and windsurfing in the summer months!  There are three main beaches on the island choose from, West, Beachlands Central and Eastoke, that connect together to create an impressive long shingle beach with some small stretches of sand.

Beachlands Central has lots of amusement arcades and fairground facilities to keep you entertained.  The shingle and pebbles mean it’s not the most relaxing spot for sunbathers and castle makers, Beachlands is a popular choice for fishing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, and windsurfing.  Other fun facilities there include a skate park, a children’s play area, and even a volleyball court. The beach backs onto heathland and sandy grassy areas, with plenty of well-marked paths for those who want a stroll in natural surroundings. 

To find the sand you’ll need to head to West Beach.  Although if it at first appears to be shingly, then you’ll need to wait until low tide to find the sand.  The West Winner sand bank offers a little bit of shelter within the bay which makes it a good place for swimmers, however, there are no lifeguards at this beach.

Dogs

You can bring your dogs along, however, they are prohibited from using the beach between May and September. 

Top tip from a local: To find the sand at most beaches in Hampshire you’ll need to go at low tide. Low tide times change each day, so you’ll want to check online for the low tide time before you go.

3. Southsea Beach

Southsea Beach goes all the way along the coast from Old Portsmouth and finishes Eastney. You’ll find that a majority of it is made of flint shingle, however, there are small stretches of sand that can be accessed at low tide. We love it because it’s the perfect spot to visit with your friends and kids, especially on warm days and when there are calmer waters to enjoy.  Our friend lives just off of the beach so we visit all of the time to go kayaking with our kids. 

Southsea Beach is great as it has lots of outdoor activities, such as swimming as well as places to picnic. It also has a fun crazy golf. The beach has stunning views of the Isle of Wight and you can watch boats passing along the Solent. Nearby you’ll find Southsea Common, a large green space which is great for picnics.  It also hosts the amazing family friendly Victorious Festival that happens each August Bank Holiday weekend we love going to each year.  Plus the Blue Reef Aquarium is also worth a visit.

4. Lee-On-Solent

This is an attractive beach that lies to the west of Gosport, Portsmouth and Southampton. It also happens to be one of the best places to enjoy views of the Solent between the south coast and the Isle of Wight.  We spend a lot of time here as Carl’s parents live nearby and it’s one our favourite sandy beaches in Hampshire.

The beach is largely shingle, however, it does have some sandy patches in between. As well as the beach it has some grassy areas which are perfect for picnics as well as a paved promenade running along the entire shoreline of this beach which is for walkers and families with prams.

When the tide is out, it exposes the rockpools and crab-hunters (like our son) can be seen searching amongst the rocks.

5. Milford-On-Sea

Milford-on-Sea has stunning views across the English Channel to the Isle of Wight, and if you’re feeling energetic there is a great walk from the beach along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. This beach is split into two main sections one is called Hordle Cliff and the other is Hurst Road.

Hordle Cliff is sandy at low tide, and the waters on this side make it a great spot for swimmers, kite surfers and paddle boarders. It is also home to some colourful beach huts. Hurst Road is great as is has a large park to play in and as well as great views over the Solent. As well as the beach it also offers a wooden walkway that’s perfect for those with dogs.

From the beach, you can walk down to Hurst Castle. It’s a 40-minute walk along the spit and at the end, you’ll find the impressive historic Henry VIII Hurst Castle with even more impressive views. 

Dogs

Milford-On-Sea is a dog-friendly beach all year round.

6. Barton-On-Sea

Barton-on-Sea is a combination shingle with sand beach that sits below high clay cliffs. This part of Hampshire’s coastline has some incredible clifftop walks that have amazing views towards Hengistbury Head.

At the beach you can enjoy outdoor activities including kite surfing, swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking. You’ll also see some lovely grass cliffs where it’s possible to enjoy a picnic whilst taking in local views of the Needles on the Isle of Wight. The cliffs along Barton-on-Sea are popular with fossil hunters as they have several layers of fossil rich clay – hunting for fossils is something that our son loves to do!

Dogs

Barton-on-Sea is a dog-friendly beach all year round.

Other great beaches in Hampshire

• Calshot Beach
• Hill Head Beach
• Stokes Bay Beach
• Eastney Beach
• Meon Shore Beach

Bonus: Sandy beaches close to Hampshire

1. Bournemouth Beach (Dorset)

Bournemouth is one of the most popular seaside towns in the UK and is home to one of the best beaches on the south coast.  It’s beach runs in both directions along from the Bournemouth Pier.  There are also lots of great things to do along the beach, especially in the summer when there are pop-up bars to visit, as well as the main attractions such as the Sea Life Centre.  We often head there on a family day trip as there’s so much to keep us entertained, even in the winter!

Great news for dog walkers is that between October and April you can bring your dogs with you, however, they should be on a lead and you must of course clean up their mess after them.

Bournemouth also has lots of other fantastic sandy beaches that you can choose from, such as Hengistbury Head, Alum Chine, Mudeford Quay and Southbourne.

2. Ryde (Isle Of Wight)

On the north east coast of the Isle of Wight is where you’ll find Ryde Beach that has miles of sandy beach and heaps of space for you to enjoy at low tide.  It’s always pretty easy to grab yourself a space on the beach for you and your kids even in the busy summer months.

You can enjoy activities including sunbathing, horseback riding and dog-walking on this lovely wide area of sand-covered beach.   It also has loads of facilities to choose from including sun loungers, deckchairs, windbreaks as well as cafes and shops.

3. Friars Cliff Beach (Dorset)

Friars Cliff near to Christchurch Harbour is an award-winning sandy beach. This great beach is popular with families that are keen to swim or paddle in its gentle waves.  And because the beach is mostly sand with just small shingle patches, it makes this a perfect spot for some sunbathing. Behind the beach is a promenade that features some colourful beach huts that you can rent. If you’re feeling hungry then you can also visit the local beach cafe and enjoy a selection of homemade snacks and meals to choose from. 

From Friars Cliff Beach, you can take an easy clifftop walk to the19th-century Highcliffe Castle.

4. Highcliffe-On-Sea (Dorset)

Highcliffe-on-Sea’s beach is mainly made up of a combination of shingle and sand.  Due to is location, it is fantastic for a spot of bodyboarding, sun bathing, swimming and several different water sports such as paddling. It also has some a long grassy area running along the shore where you’ll find sand dunes and green bushes, that help makes this a fun spot for a picnic.  The Highcliffe-on-Sea beach has a unique cliff habitat that is home to some of the UK’s most rare species of birds, reptiles and insects. 

Dogs are welcome all year, however, they are restricted to certain areas during the summer, and you must always have them on lead.  It’s really convenient as there are over 400 parking spaces near the shore and plenty of facilities such as toilets, cafes, beach bars, as well as restaurants.

Final thought on sandy beaches in Hampshire

We love a trip to the beach. However, if you’re looking for sandy beaches in Hampshire then you might struggle a little bit as most of the coastline is made up of shingle and pebble beaches. You can find sand on the six beaches that we mentioned, however, you’ll need to go at low tide to find it. To manage that you’ll need to check online for the low tide time as it changes daily. For proper sandy beaches you’ll need to head to either Dorset or the Isle of Wight.