Enjoying Our Coast

The Solent Coast is a popular recreational location for local day visitors and tourists from further a field. It is a unique region due to its history, natural scenery and coastal waters. Infact it is also one of the most interesting coastal zones in England:

• It has a unique environmental and landscape setting, being an almost enclosed area of sea between the mainland and a large island;
• It is of international significance for wildlife, being one of the most important sites on the bird migration routes from the Arctic to Africa;
• It has a variety of views with a range of coastal landscapes including ancient fossil cliffs, heritage coast and areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as the built environment offering examples of both old and new architecture;
• It has the UK's number one cruise port and one of the UK's main commerical ports at Southampton;
• It is the premier area for recreational boating in the UK
• It is an area rich in archaeology both marine and terrestrial;
• It has an important place in aviation history especially in the development of flying boat services;
• It has the largest native oyster fishery in the UK.