Calshot Beach is a beach that looks over the Solent and sits alongside things like Calshot Castle and Calshot Activities Centre.
We do like a trip to a beach or a bay, and Calshot Beach is close to where we live. Heading here for lunch certainly ticks off one the best reasons for owning a Campervan.
Calshot Beach is featured in my recent video, covering all the New Forest beaches, so check this out too.
In the interest of full disclosure, the photos below were taken a couple of years ago, but with the exception of the Coronavirus restrictions, things are pretty much the same today.
Information
- Address: Jack Maynard Road, Calshot, Southampton SO45 1BP
- Parking: Limited free parking, but generally pay and display (roughly £1 per hour)
- Admission price to beach: FREE
- Opening times: 24 hour
Getting There
A bit about Calshot Beach
Calshot, and therefore Calshot Beach, is largely popular for not only the beach, but Calshot Castle and the Activities Centre. It is a shingle beach with quite a few opportunities to park along the seafront, overlooking the beach itself.
You are able to park at the first carpark you reach, and hit the beach almost immediately. 20 minutes and 1 mile later and you have walked pretty much the length of Calshot Beach, and are knocking on the door of Calshot Castle.
What’s Nearby?
Lots. You have the New Forest, Lepe Beach, Southampton City is about 40 minutes away.
New Forest Wildlife Park is not far, and there are plenty of Free things to do in and around the New Forest. Check out the New Forest car parks and walks. Here is one we ventured on recently, the Kings Hat walk.
About Our Visit to Calshot Beach
We visited in a February, so temperatures were nudging freezing. Add to that the coastal wind and it adds to our discomfort! Opening the doors to our VW California, we brace ourselves as we step out. We went to enjoy some family time on Calshot Beach.
We stopped in a car park a few hundred meters from the Calshot Activities Centre. The nose of the Campervan facing the sea. Being a few feet from the beach, it isn’t long before we are trudging through the crunchy pebbles. The icy winds reaffirming our decision to don hats, gloves and scarves.
A series of huts line the beach further along from where we parked. Although they are not, they give the impression of dilapidation.
Secured with a bar and a padlock, you wonder what they have inside to protect. In fact, the only thing they may need protection from here are the elements.
Buried in the pebbles are stubby logs forming the herringbone style groynes. Designed to protect Calshot beach, they make perfect launch pads for Mummy, Daddy and a 3-year-old.
The same stubby logs also provide the perfect resting place for the south coast seagulls. Basking in the winter sun, seemingly impervious to the bitter wind.
It wasn’t long before that wind on Calshot Beach got the better of us. We retired to the campervan. We put the gas on, got the ridge monkey out, and prepared the tastiest campervan cheese and ham toasties ever.
Calshot Beach Lunch in the Campervan
An hour or so later we had thawed out. Max was getting restless, so it seemed like the perfect time to venture back out into the wilderness.
This was a time when he couldn’t ride his big boy bike, so we dragged his balance bike from the boot. Heads and hands placed in hats and gloves, and off we went.
At the time in his short 3 years, Max had never got to grips with cycling. But despite the winds, despite the bitter cold, he made a brave attempt to conquer the task. Now, however, it is a different story.
Then….. 
..and now
20 minutes later we were back at the van. Sheltered from the wind by Dibby, we basked in the sunshine. After a very pleasant 30 minutes or so watching kids, seagulls and kite surfers, until it was time to head home.
We are fortunate enough to live 20 minutes from the coast and this was our first venture out to Calshot.
Buffeted by the icy winds but warmed up with tea and toasties, we have had a great few hours.
We are sure to return to Calshot perhaps on a day where the temperatures are a little more favourable!
Summary of Calshot Beach
Not hugely crowded, although peak times may change this. Parking is close to the beach, and there is a couple of option for refreshments. There is the cafe in the Activities Centre, or Bluebird Cafe nearer the start of the beach as you drive in.
Nothing as cool as this bar, and not as modern as this one, but you can’t have it all!
In addition, there is the Calshot Camping & Caravan club, which gives you the option to camp right next to the beach. Something we are definitely going to try out.
Below are the rest of the photos from our trip to Calshot Beach. As you can see, it is a beautiful place to visit, either with or without your campervan!!
Have you visited? Are there any beaches in the New Forest you would like us to check out? Let me know!!
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