Fareham's Foreshore

• Foreshore Review
• Fareham's Coastline
• Public Slipways and launching areas
• Water based activities
• Restrictions and prohibited activities
• Weather and tide times
• Useful contacts
• Sailing Clubs in Fareham
• Water Quality

Foreshore Review  

The Leisure and Community Division undertook a review during last summer of all foreshore recreational activities.  Many local residents and visitors to the Hill Head, Salterns and Monks Hill beaches assisted in this process by completing questionnaires.   The results from the questionnaires can be viewed here, together with the full committee report (186 Kb) to councillors.   Research is still ongoing to see how best to resolve some of the issues raised.

Fareham's Coastline

Coastline within the borough falls into four areas comprising the northern shores of Portsmouth Harbour, including Fareham Lake and the lower Wallington River; the Hill Head seafront; the largely undeveloped coast between Meon Shore and Hook; and the eastern bank of the lower and upper River Hamble.

The majority of the coast is covered by the East Solent Shoreline Management Plan except for the eastern bank of the River Hamble between Hook and the Bursledon Bridge, which is covered by the Western Solent and Southampton Water Shoreline Management Plan.

Fareham Lake constitutes the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour; it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a special protection area (SPA) and a Ramsar Site. The local authorities of Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport together with other organisations jointly co-ordinate the management of the Harbour, including nature conservation, planning and development issues.

The coast from the Meon foreshore west to the Hook-with-Warsash Local Nature Reserve and the River Hamble estuary, is included in the Lee-on-the-Solent to Itchen Estuary SSSI, and designated as a SPA/Ramsar Site and candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Nature conservation interests are managed by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Hampshire Wildlife Trust with the help and support of local people.

Public Slipways and launching areas

There are four slipways available for public use. They are as follows:

• Fareham Creek at Lower Quay, Fareham provides access to Portsmouth Harbour
• Salterns Road car park at Hill Head provides access to the Solent shoreline
• Shore Road at Warsash provides access to the Hamble Estuary
• Swanwick Shore Road at Swanwick provides access to the river Hamble

Water based activities

Various zones have been created between Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head Harbour to encourage watersports to be undertaken safely. For details please refer to the signage at each of the main waterfront car parks. A specific area for jet skiing and water skiing is located at Lee-on-the-Solent served by the Daedalus slipway.

Restrictions and prohibited activities

Within Portsmouth Harbour all craft are subject to a maximum speed of 10 knots and the same speed restriction applies within half a mile of the Solent shoreline. Water skiing and windsurfing are not permitted within Portsmouth Harbour and the use of jet skis is discouraged.

Weather and tide times

Local and national weather forecasts can be obtained from the BBC weather (this is an external hyperlink) or the Met Office (this is an external hyperlink).

For conditions in the Solent contact the Marinecall's telephone forecasting service on 09068 500 457 for a 5-day outlook (60p/min) or 09065 300 257 for a 48 hour forecast by Fax (£1.50p/Min).

Shipping forecasts are broadcast daily on BBC Radio 4 (92.4 - 94.6 FM / 198kHz LW) at 1355, 1750 and 0048hrs.

Tide tables are available from all local chandlers and Tourist Information Centres.

Useful contacts

• Fareham and Gosport Inshore Rescue Service - 023 9258 4017

• Queens Harbour Master 023 9272 3124 or www.qhmportsmouth.com (this is an external hyperlink)

• Coastguard 023 9255 2100

• The Solent Forum (this is an external hyperlink)

• HM Customs 023 9286 2511

• Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve (this is an external hyperlink), Cliff Road, Hill Head, Fareham PO14 3JT. Tel: 01329 662145

Run as a local nature reserve by Hampshire County Council since 1972, this site is a rich habitat for insects, flowers and birds. The reserve and visitor centre is open on Wednesdays to Sundays plus bank holidays (not 25th December) from 9.30am to 5.00pm (summer) and 9.30am - 4.00pm (winter).

Sailing Clubs

• Seafarers Sailing Club (this is an external hyperlink), Salterns Road, Hill Head

• Hill Head Sailing Club (this is an external hyperlink), The Haven, Hill Head, Fareham

• Portchester Sailing Club (this is an external hyperlink), Waterside Lane, Portchester, Fareham PO16 9QN

• Fareham Sailing and Motor Boat Club (this is an external hyperlink), The Boathouse, Lower Quay, Fareham PO16 0RA

• Warsash Sailing Club (this is an external hyperlink), Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton SO31 9FS

Water Quality

Each week the Environment Agency takes samples of the local sea water. After testing, the water quality results are sent to Fareham Borough Council and displayed in designated notice boards at Salterns beach and Monks Hill beach. A rating of 'poor, good or excellent' is given. The water around the Fareham foreshore has always complied with the standards of the Bathing Water Directive.

If you would like further information on the above, please contact Customer Services on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail customerservices@fareham.gov.uk