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Bourne Gap

Beach in Hampshire New Forest

England

Bourne Gap

Bourne Gap red buoy
Bourne Gap red buoy Credit: Roger Cornfoot

Bourne Gap is a picturesque beach located in the county of Hampshire, England. Situated along the English Channel, it forms part of the larger Hayling Island coastline. The beach is well-known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Bourne Gap offers a wide stretch of golden sand, stretching for approximately 1.5 miles. The beach is backed by sand dunes and grassy areas, providing a scenic backdrop for visitors to enjoy. The dunes also serve as a natural barrier, protecting the beach from erosion and preserving its stunning landscape.

The beach is ideal for various recreational activities such as sunbathing, picnicking, and beachcombing. The shallow waters and gentle waves make it suitable for swimming, especially for families with young children. The beach is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and paddleboarding.

Bourne Gap is surrounded by a designated nature reserve, which is home to a rich diversity of wildlife and plant species. Visitors can take leisurely walks along the coastal paths, observing the various bird species that inhabit the area or simply enjoying the peaceful ambiance.

Facilities at Bourne Gap include car parking, toilets, and a café nearby, providing convenience for visitors. Lifeguards are also present during peak seasons to ensure the safety of beachgoers.

Overall, Bourne Gap is a captivating beach that offers a blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and a serene atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a coastal retreat in Hampshire.

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Bourne Gap Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.800309/-1.3299384 or Grid Reference SU4700. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bourne Gap red buoy
Bourne Gap red buoy
View of D-Day preparation area at Lepe To the right two bollards used to tie up ships. Beyond and above the righthand side of the noticeboard is a war memorial and the area used for constructing the massive concrete caissons that were floated across the Channel and then sunk. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529571">SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe</a>.
View of D-Day preparation area at Lepe
To the right two bollards used to tie up ships. Beyond and above the righthand side of the noticeboard is a war memorial and the area used for constructing the massive concrete caissons that were floated across the Channel and then sunk. See also SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe.
Information board on D-Day at Lepe
Information board on D-Day at Lepe
D-Day war memorial at Lepe To 4th/7th royal Dragoon Guards who lkeft here to land in Sherman amphibiopus tanks 5 minutes before the main assault on Gold beach. 124 men lost their lives. The top part of this memorial seems to be a recent addition. For earlier see <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4310851" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4310851">Link</a> . The inscription on the top part of the memorial reads: Take these men for your example Like them remember that propserity can only be for the free, that freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. On the seaward side of the memorial there is the same inscription in French.
D-Day war memorial at Lepe
To 4th/7th royal Dragoon Guards who lkeft here to land in Sherman amphibiopus tanks 5 minutes before the main assault on Gold beach. 124 men lost their lives. The top part of this memorial seems to be a recent addition. For earlier see Link . The inscription on the top part of the memorial reads: Take these men for your example Like them remember that propserity can only be for the free, that freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. On the seaward side of the memorial there is the same inscription in French.
Location of D-Day war memorial at Lepe For a closer view see <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529573" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529573">Link</a> . The concrete wall beyond, buttressed at frequent intervals, was a rolling-track wall two of which were used in parallel to transport massive concrete caissons to the launch point (off-picture right) from the place where they were built (near tree at left). Each caisson was carried on 2m carriages that rolled along timber rails on 75 mm steel balls. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529571">SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe</a>
Location of D-Day war memorial at Lepe
For a closer view see Link . The concrete wall beyond, buttressed at frequent intervals, was a rolling-track wall two of which were used in parallel to transport massive concrete caissons to the launch point (off-picture right) from the place where they were built (near tree at left). Each caisson was carried on 2m carriages that rolled along timber rails on 75 mm steel balls. See SZ4698 : Information board on D-Day at Lepe
Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe Beyond is the North Solent National Nature Reserve. "Cadland beach is one of the last pristine areas of vegetated shingle left in the UK". For a closer view of the information board see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529596">SZ4699 : Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve</a>.
Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe
Beyond is the North Solent National Nature Reserve. "Cadland beach is one of the last pristine areas of vegetated shingle left in the UK". For a closer view of the information board see SZ4699 : Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve.
Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve Marking the limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe. For a wider view see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7529591">SZ4699 : Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe</a>.
Information board about North Solent National Nature Reserve
Marking the limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe. For a wider view see SZ4699 : Limit of public access to the foreshore at Lepe.
Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park A navigational beacon marks Stansore Point (known as Stone Point in the past). At Lepe this is the closest point to the Isle of Wight and is the site of the gas mains to the island. The island's electricity and some telephone cables cross the Solent at Lepe. [Words from the Lepe Country Park visitors' leaflet, published by Hampshire County Council]. The beacon was removed some time during 2007.
Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park
A navigational beacon marks Stansore Point (known as Stone Point in the past). At Lepe this is the closest point to the Isle of Wight and is the site of the gas mains to the island. The island's electricity and some telephone cables cross the Solent at Lepe. [Words from the Lepe Country Park visitors' leaflet, published by Hampshire County Council]. The beacon was removed some time during 2007.
Second World War relics at Lepe Country Park These two metal skeletons (known as "dolphins") once formed part of the pierhead used to load ships departing for Normandy in 1944. On the foreshore are the remains of beach hardening mats, which resemble huge concrete bars of chocolate. They were laid out to strengthen the beach enough to take the weight of tanks and other vehicles being driven onto landing craft.
Second World War relics at Lepe Country Park
These two metal skeletons (known as "dolphins") once formed part of the pierhead used to load ships departing for Normandy in 1944. On the foreshore are the remains of beach hardening mats, which resemble huge concrete bars of chocolate. They were laid out to strengthen the beach enough to take the weight of tanks and other vehicles being driven onto landing craft.
Drainage channel, North Solent National Nature Reserve, Lepe This drainage channel empties into the sea at Stansore Point. The North Solent NNR is south of the New Forest and comprises the lower reaches of the Beaulieu River where it drains into The Solent. The reserve also includes large areas of adjoining meadow, including the area north-west of the Lepe Country Park.
Drainage channel, North Solent National Nature Reserve, Lepe
This drainage channel empties into the sea at Stansore Point. The North Solent NNR is south of the New Forest and comprises the lower reaches of the Beaulieu River where it drains into The Solent. The reserve also includes large areas of adjoining meadow, including the area north-west of the Lepe Country Park.
Groynes between Lepe and Calshot, North Solent The shingle beach in the foreground is part of the Lepe Country Park, and it is less populated by visitors as it can only be accessed by a walk around Stansore Point from the car parks. It isn't possible to walk the length of this beach to Calshot as the beach in the distance is part of the North Solent Nature Reserve.
Groynes between Lepe and Calshot, North Solent
The shingle beach in the foreground is part of the Lepe Country Park, and it is less populated by visitors as it can only be accessed by a walk around Stansore Point from the car parks. It isn't possible to walk the length of this beach to Calshot as the beach in the distance is part of the North Solent Nature Reserve.
North Solent National Nature Reserve, between Lepe and Calshot At the north-east extreme of the Lepe Country Park the shingle beach is part of the National Nature Reserve (down to low water) and should not be disturbed.
North Solent National Nature Reserve, between Lepe and Calshot
At the north-east extreme of the Lepe Country Park the shingle beach is part of the National Nature Reserve (down to low water) and should not be disturbed.
Groynes at Stansore point
Groynes at Stansore point
Beach This is a view of Nelsons Place, from the Cadland House Beach.
Beach
This is a view of Nelsons Place, from the Cadland House Beach.
Beach. A view of the Beach in front of The Cadland House.
Beach.
A view of the Beach in front of The Cadland House.
Groyne and WWII Relic at Stansore Point This photo was taken at 3.15pm and is of the south side of the groyne looking towards the sea and the World War Two posts at Stansore Point, Lepe.
Groyne and WWII Relic at Stansore Point
This photo was taken at 3.15pm and is of the south side of the groyne looking towards the sea and the World War Two posts at Stansore Point, Lepe.
Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park Compare this with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/33307">SZ4698 : Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park</a> taken in August 2005 to see what used to be bolted to the top of the concrete base the man is standing on.
Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park
Compare this with SZ4698 : Stansore Point, Lepe Country Park taken in August 2005 to see what used to be bolted to the top of the concrete base the man is standing on.
Gas pipelines cross the Solent near Stansore Point There are three gas pipelines to the Isle of Wight here, marked at the shoreline by these triangular signs, and further inland by yellow diamonds (also visible in this photo).
Gas pipelines cross the Solent near Stansore Point
There are three gas pipelines to the Isle of Wight here, marked at the shoreline by these triangular signs, and further inland by yellow diamonds (also visible in this photo).
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Bourne Gap is located at Grid Ref: SU4700 (Lat: 50.800309, Lng: -1.3299384)

Administrative County: Hampshire

District: New Forest

Police Authority: Hampshire

What 3 Words

///crossings.ship.spiking. Near Gurnard, Isle of Wight

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Located within 500m of 50.800309,-1.3299384
Bourne Gap
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.7997152/-1.3298123
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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