Colonel's Hard

Beach in Hampshire

England

Colonel's Hard

St Helens Seafront The remains of St Helens church is painted white to act as a prominent marker for navigation from seaward — St Helens Seafront Credit: Steve Rigg

Colonel's Hard is a picturesque beach located in Hampshire, England. Situated on the southern coast, this sandy stretch is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The beach is named after a former British Army colonel who lived in the area during the early 19th century.

Covering an area of approximately 1 kilometer, Colonel's Hard offers breathtaking views of the English Channel. The beach is easily accessible, with ample parking facilities nearby and a regular bus service that stops within walking distance. The area is also well-connected by road and rail, making it an ideal spot for day trips or weekend getaways.

The beach boasts fine golden sand, making it perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles. The clear, calm waters are safe for swimming and paddling, attracting families with young children. There are lifeguards on duty during peak seasons to ensure the safety of visitors.

Colonel's Hard offers a range of amenities to enhance visitors' beach experience. There are clean public toilets, as well as several cafes and kiosks that serve snacks, ice cream, and refreshing drinks. Additionally, there are picnic tables and benches scattered along the promenade, providing a comfortable spot for picnics or enjoying the view.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the beach's proximity to a nature reserve, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The surrounding cliffs and dunes offer excellent opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.

Overall, Colonel's Hard is a charming beach destination that offers something for everyone. Its natural beauty, convenient facilities, and nearby attractions make it a must-visit location for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Colonel's Hard Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.693726/-1.0804214 or Grid Reference SZ6588. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Helens Seafront

The remains of St Helens church is painted white to act as a prominent marker for navigation from seaward

Steve Rigg

Bembridge Lifeboat Launch Station

Glen Diamond

Foreland Beach

The weed covered rock pools visible at low tide are in the subject square, the nearer ones marked on the map as Black Rock Ledge while the further line is Long Ledge. Beyond them, across Whitecliff Bay is Culver Down with its monument SZ6385 : Culver Down Monument.

Penny Mayes

Beach Hut Garden

Some of the beach huts between the coastal path and the foreshore have very elaborate gardens. Looking SE from the coastal path near the Crab & Lobster pub.

Penny Mayes

Chicken Farm at Foreland Fields

The Coastal Path heading SW for Sandown from Bembridge skirts a poultry farm at this point.

Penny Mayes

Forelands Field Road

A couple of stray hens from the poultry farm SZ6587 : Chicken Farm at Foreland Fields wander around on this unadopted road which runs down to the coastal path.

Penny Mayes

St Helen's Church

Built in the 12th century by the monks of the Cluniac Priory, the church was destroyed in 1720 by "a great wave" and only the tower remains. The seaward side is painted white as a marker for shipping - see SZ6389 : St Helens Seafront

Penny Mayes

Another view of the Lifeboat station, Bembridge

Crispin Purdye

Bembridge Windmill

This restored windmill stands at an altitude of 35m above the low lying marshlands of the River Yar to its west.(National Trust site)

Crispin Purdye

Tidal estuary, St Helens, Bembridge

This shows part of the passage from Bembridge harbour to the sea. The photograph is an up river view of the foreshore, looking south south east, and taken from the north shore of "The Duver".

Crispin Purdye

Bembridge Harbour Causeway

The Causeway (at low tide) with the mill pond beyond for the old tidal mill.

Mark Pilbeam

Breakwater at Bembridge Point

The eastern side to the entrance to Bembridge Harbour which is on the left. Portsmouth on the horizon with the Spinnaker Tower visible between the last two posts.

Mark Pilbeam

St Helen's Fort

The fort is accessible on foot by a causeway on only one or two extra low tides a year - an annual walk out and around the fort is arranged each summer. It was recently advertised for sale and a condition of occupation is that you do not call on the fire service or expect to have your rubbish collected! More info here: Link

Mark Pilbeam

Nodes Point holiday camp

Looking south to Bembridge Point

Ray Stanton

Coast near Ryde

Foreland and Bembridge Lifeboat seen from the sea. You can just make out a faint tower on the horizon, which marks the SZ6299 : Spinnaker Tower and the Portsmouth shoreline.

Martyn Davies