Eastney Beach - Portsmouth

Hampshire

Popular shingle city beach at the end of the Portsmouth / Southsea seafront.

Eastney beach sign cropped

Jul-23 • Andrew Murphy • On flickr

nuffbeach nuffeastney 53077317778

Eastney Beach

Tide coming in on a very warm February day. Nice enough to lie in the sun.

Feb-19 • ajm13458 • On flickr

beach seaside hampshire eastney nuffeastney 46494217774

Eastney Beach

Tide coming in on a very warm February day. Nice enough to lie in the sun.

Feb-19 • ajm13458 • On flickr

beach seaside hampshire eastney nuffeastney 46494217014

towards the Isle of Wight

Feb-16 • ajm13458 • On flickr

beach seaside seashore hampshire nuffeastney 24700066389

Eastney Beach

Feb-16 • ajm13458 • On flickr

beach seaside seashore hampshire nuffeastney 25041373496

This shingle beach (also known as 'Fraser Beach') is situated at the Eastney (east) end of Portsmouth and Southsea seafront. The beach is popular, and has a very active user group : Eastney Naturist Beach Facebook Group. One report says: 'It's my contention that Eastney is the easiest-access naturist beach in southern England, and no one has challenged this yet.'

The local council are aware of its tradition of nude use. The beach sign says: "Everyone is free to use this area of beach, which has been popular with naturists for many years.".

In May 2024, a new housing development on former MOD land adjacent to the beach was given planning permission. The plans include a new sea front path, and rock boulder sea defences. As on May-24, the beach is being used by naturists as normal, but the improved sea front path may have a long term effect on the solitary character of the beach, and it's large free car park.

Getting There

Satnav: PO4 9LQ

Portsmouth is easily reached by means of the M27/A27 and by public transport. Eastney is on the south-easy tip of Portsea Island. Take the A2030 from the A27 towards Southsea, turn left at the football club roundabout and left again just before Eastney swimming pool. There is a large free car park at the junction of Fort Cumberland Rd and Melville Rd. A narrow road leads down to the entrance to the former Defence Research Establishment. To the right of the entrance, a footpath leads to the beach. On reaching the beach turn left and you reach the naturist section within only 100 yards.

Eastney Naturist Beach is very easy to access. Go to Fort Cumberland Road (PO4 9LQ). It has a sharp turn to the left and on that corner is a gravel car park which is free but likely to be full very quickly on a hot day. Then in the bottom corner of the carpark, near the gate to the abandoned building, is a little footpath. Follow it around and you will come to the beach. Anywhere left of the footpath is naturist. (taken from the Eastney FB page)

Public Transport: Take the train to Portsmouth harbour. From The Hard (bus interchange), take bus # 25 straight to the beach which runs every 45 mins (Mon-Sat), every 90 mins (Sun). View of bus stop where you get off

Description

Although not, perhaps, the best part of a shingle beach, Eastney is described as being 'well sheltered' and offering 'pleasant sunbathing'.

"Simple, neutral, no fuss. The siting of the [previous -ed] notices is, in my opinion, the most sensible that could have been chosen, and does not curtail, even by implication, the area which has been used by naturists. Well done Portsmouth City Council... "

Facilities

There are toilets and refreshments available at the nearby caravan site.

Development Proposals

2024 : After a very long planning process, lasting nearly 20 years, planning permission has been given for New Homes and an improved coast path. While it does safeguard the Naturist Beach, the improved sea front path may alter the beach's long term character and solitude.

Latest info: join Eastney Naturist Beach Facebook Group

June, 2024