Meon Shore

A wild, natural stretch of coast at the mouth of the River Meon, prized by birdwatchers and walkers.

Meon Shore occupies the western end of the Hill Head coastline, where the beach meets the mouth of the River Meon and the edges of Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. This is one of the most scenic stretches of coast in the Fareham borough, with a wide shingle beach giving way to mudflats and saltmarsh at the river mouth. The area has a distinctly wild and natural character, especially in contrast to the more settled eastern end of Hill Head. Birdwatchers are drawn here throughout the year, as the combination of freshwater lagoons, reedbeds and tidal mudflats in the adjacent nature reserve supports a wide variety of species. In winter, wading birds such as dunlin, redshank and black-tailed godwit feed on the foreshore, while in summer the reedbeds host breeding warblers. The Solent Way passes along the beach here, and walkers can continue west towards Meon Shore chalets and on towards Lee-on-the-Solent. There is a car park at Meon Shore with an honesty box for parking fees, and this serves as a popular starting point for coastal walks in both directions. The beach itself is good for beachcombing, with fossils occasionally found in the clay exposures along the eroding cliffs. Sea fishing is popular from the shore, particularly for bass and flounder. The area can feel exposed in strong southwesterly winds, but on calm days it offers a sense of real remoteness within reach of suburban Hampshire.