Our beaches
After a long wait, the Barton Beach Toilet Replacement project finally concluded successfully in October 2023.
Your committee is pleased to welcome Claire Masser, a hut owner at Barton, as the new Rep. Claire attended the Association's AGM on 26 April 2023 and NFBHOA is pleased to report that her appointment as Rep was confirmed.
Please visit our website page: NFBHOA Stop Press to find information concerning the development of an updated Christchurch Bay Coastal Strategy.
On 5th June 2022, lots of Barton huts were opened up for parties to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of our Queen Elizabeth II
Vehicle access to Barton beach will be available between 08:30 and 15:30 on the dates listed below. Any changes will be shown on the Beach Hut Owners page: http://newforest.gov.uk/beachhutowners
The gate is opened on the dates listed by request only and if no requests are received, the gate will not be opened. If you require vehicle access, please email coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
1 Oct 2024
5 Nov 2024
3 Dec 2024
7 Jan 2025
4 Feb 2025
4 Mar 2025
Hut owners are reminded that the gate is only open on set days of the month and NFDC is unable to provide access outside these dates.
Vehicle access is provided to enable hut owners to drive down to take heavy items such as furniture, materials/tools for repair. Once items have been delivered to the hut, the vehicle must be returned to the car park. The gate will be locked at 15:30 promptly.
Beach huts should be kept in a good state of repair. Please ensure all rubbish and materials are removed from the site after maintenance work so the area is kept clean for all users. Leaving such materials at the beach is considered to be fly-tipping and as such is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Offenders can face an unlimited fine, a criminal record and a prison sentence.
The speed limit along Fisherman’s Walk and along the lower cliff is strictly limited to 5 mph. Flashing hazard lights must be used at all times. Vehicles must give way to all pedestrians using the access track and must keep to the track at all times. When parked near a hut along the lower cliff, all vehicles must park to the landward side of the track and must not obstruct the access for other vehicles or pedestrians. All vehicle owners must ensure that their vehicles are road worthy and that the appropriate vehicle insurances are in place and up to date. Please do not follow service vehicles or attempt to drive down Fisherman’s Walk if you see the gate is open on any other dates as you are at risk of being locked in.
Any queries please contact the Coastal Team: coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk or call Customer Services on 02380 285000 and ask to be put through to a member of the Coastal team.
Barton beach is a hidden gem. Its rugged coastline and mainly pebbled beach looks over Christchurch Bay East, the Needles and lighthouse on the edge of the Isle of Wight (where you can see the famous polar bear, in the cliffs, on a sunny day) and Hengistbury Head.
There are two rows of privately owned beach-huts where hut owners pay an annual ground rent to New Forest District Council. It is not possible to sleep in the huts or rent them out.
Hut owners have use of a fresh water tap, outside standing shower, toilets, good parking in council owned car-parks or on nearby streets, a local shop and a wonderful cafe, which also sells ice-creams.
No two days at the beach are the same and there is always something to catch your attention; paragliders souring above the cliffs; local dog walkers stopping to chat; horse riders taking their horses for a swim; paddle boarders and canoeists; watching the amazing sunsets whilst sipping a glass of wine and perhaps having a barbecue. It is somewhere where you can truly forget the frenetic pace of modern life and immerse yourself in the magical world of a time gone by.
Huts & Clouds - Thanks to Sarah Webber
The two notices below can be found on the two NFBHOA noticeboards at Calshot, intended to help Association members by providing contact information, safety advice and the names of contractors who are active at the beach, carrying out hut repairs and replacements.
Beach Hut Calshot Introduction_Updated 06-09-2023
Summer-Autumn 2023 Hut Safety Poster_Sep 2023
At Calshot, hutters celebrated the Big Coronation Lunch on Sunday 7 May 2023 by wearing their regalia. As the St Edward's Crown was, by then, safely back in the Tower of London, a beautiful crocheted replica crown was worn instead - thank you, Sue!
At Calshot, Her Majesty did a beach walkabout on 5th June 2022, offering unforgettable photo opportunities for hut owners...
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There are just under 200 beach huts on NFDC land at Calshot and also approximately 80 residential huts at the western end of the beach on land belonging to the Cadland Estate. The huts are situated on the pebble beach, although at low tide there is a little sand to be enjoyed. Also at low tide shingle bars and shallow lagoons are visible to the east of the Spit, ideal for supervised children to explore the exposed sea bed. On the other side of the spit is an extensive salt marsh which is home to a wealth of birds and other wildlife. Calshot Beach is a great vantage point to see cruise liners and commercial shipping entering and leaving Southampton Water.
How to find the beach
The beach is at the southerly end of the A326, approximately 14 miles from junction 2 of the M27. If you are using “Sat Nav”, the post code is SO45 1BR.
Car Parking
There are two NFDC Amenity Car Parks - Hillhead Car Park which is at the entrance to Calshot Spit and Slipway Car Park which is halfway along Jack Maynard Road. There are disabled bays in both car parks and those in the Slipway Car Park enjoy a direct view of the Solent. It is also permissible to park behind beach huts but a valid parking ticket, an NFDC District Wide Parking Clock or a disabled parking blue badge (if applicable) must be displayed all year round.
Access
Access to the beach huts is directly from Jack Maynard Road although the ground between the road and huts may be sloped and uneven in places, making disabled access harder.
Toilets / Water
A public toilet, including disabled toilet is situated at Hillhead Car Park and a second one at the Slipway Car Park has been reopened following the 2020 closure due to Covid-19 restrictions. There are several drinking water taps spread along the length of Jack Maynard Road.
Refreshments
The Bluebird Café is on the Cadland Estate (but is easily accessible). It sells hot and cold food, sandwiches, ice-creams, snacks and drinks and is open from Easter, but for weekends only until May, then daily (excluding Mondays) until September. Opening is from 11 a.m. until 4-ish depending on the weather. A mobile ice-cream van can be found on the Slipway Car Park during the summer months.
Calshot Activities Centre
At the eastern end of Jack Maynard Road is Calshot Activities Centre which is administered by Hampshire County Council and a windsurfing shop is also located nearby. Please note that parking at Calshot Activities Centre is not covered by any parking clocks issued by NFDC. The Sunderland Hangar, also at the eastern end of the Spit, has a cycle velodrome, dry ski–slope and climbing walls, together with the Café Bar serving snacks, hot food and drinks. An RNLI station is also on the spit near to Calshot Castle, a fortress built in 1540 during the reign of Henry VIII, originally as a defence for Southampton Water. Calshot Castle is an English Heritage site.
Dogs
Calshot welcomes responsible dog owners, so please come prepared to pick up after your dog. It is advisable to keep dogs on a long lead. Dog deposits can be put into any of the rubbish bins along the beach.
Rubbish
Calshot beach hut owners take pride in keeping the beach clean and there are plenty of dark blue rubbish bins along Jack Maynard Road. A light blue bin located at the Slipway Car Park is also provided for barbecue disposal
Small Powered Water Craft
If you see jet skiers at Calshot contravening the exclusion zone and operating inside the buoys (summer months only), please contact the National Coastwatch Institution, Calshot Tower, on 02380 893562 staffed from 08.00 to 20.00hrs during the summer, and 08.00 to 17.00 hrs in the winter (excluding 25 December.)
Arial view of Calshot courtesy of naughtycatmedia.co.uk
Hordle Cliff suffered worst of the four beaches in the NFDC area from storms Eunice and Franklin. We have now received three updates concerning Hordle from Steve Cook, New Forest District Council's Service Manager, Coastal and a meeting took place on 24 October 2022:
Following a meeting between owners of the closed-off Hordle huts 137 to 158 and NFDC Coastal Team representatives on 24 October 2022, a Preliminary Geotechnical Assessment report was released to hut owners. The report details the Engineer's findings concerning the stability of the cliff in the vicinity of the subject huts and can be found by visiting this NFDC web page:
www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3211/Hordle-Cliff-Geotechnical-Report
I’m pleased to say that the steps at the eastern end have now been opened-up and access can be gained to those huts that sit behind the seawall as well as those on the upper level, from hut 158 to hut 177. We are though, continuing to see cliff movement in the upper level between hut 137 and hut 153 and this section needs to remain closed. We are continuing to monitor and assess this area for ongoing movement, but for now unfortunately, access cannot be allowed to this section.
We are continuing to liaise with individual owners who require further information or who have huts that have been affected by the beach erosion. But should you have any questions then please direct them to coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk although the team is busy, we will try to get back to you as soon as we can.
I’m writing to you to provide a further update with regard to the beach huts located behind the seawall, this follows my Update 1 of 22nd February.
Firstly I would like to thank you for your patience while we have been dealing with the numerous issues at Hordle Cliff following storms Eunice and Franklin. Unfortunately, we are still continuing to see the further impacts at the site with cliff instability and further beach losses to the west of where your beach huts are located.
I’m pleased to say though, that you can now plan to have the necessary works undertaken to your beach hut to make it usable again. Particularly those that have been moved out of alignment and just need some minor work. For some of you, whose huts suffered more substantial damage, you will need to consider if you will be repairing or replacing your beach hut. If this is the case I would remind you of the need to determine if planning permission is required, you can do this by making contact with the duty planning officer using the following details:-
www.newforest.gov.uk/article/2001/Duty-planner-service or call 023 8028 5345.
We will be looking to fully open up access at this eastern end of Hordle Cliff from next week to enable you more easily access your beach hut. If possible, I would like to request that you advise the coastal team at coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk of your intentions for repairing your beach hut. Particularly if you are planning to undertake this yourself or make use of contractor.
Once again thank you for bearing with us during this time, with a changing situation. Should you have any questions then please do contact the Coastal Team using the email address above.
Subject: Hordle Cliff Beach Hut NFDC Update 1, dated 22 February 2022
I'm writing you to provide an update on the devastating impact of storms Eunice and Franklin on Hordle Cliff and the beach huts. As I'm sure you can understand this has been a challenging few days for us in trying to inspect and assess the impact across our coastline, not helped in any way with the prolonged unsettled weather.
Following initial inspections on Friday afternoon (18/2/22) and Saturday morning the decision was taken to close access to Hordle cliff, on the basis of there being a number of huts in an unstable condition as well as a report of some cracking in the upper footpath area. Without knowing the full extent of damage and to provide safety to hut owners, residents and visitors the site was closed.
We are still in the position of undertaking further detailed inspections in trying to identify damaged beach huts, which is proving to be even more difficult when a number of huts do not have a number on them. This work will still continue for a while and once we have a clearer picture we will be in a position to make contact on an individual basis with owners who have had huts damaged.
What I can update you on is that we plan, on the 23rd February, to open access again to the western side of Hordle Cliff. We do though need to retain the closure for the eastern end, the reason for this being that:
* There has been significant beach erosion
* A number of huts are in damaged and unstable condition
* Some cracking has been identified in the upper footpath along the top row of huts
* There has been some ground movement within the slope between the upper and lower beach huts
For access purposes this means that on the upper level there will no access to any beach huts from hut number 136 through to the eastern end at hut number 177 and for the lower level no access to beach huts from hut number 294 through to the eastern end to hut number 235. It is of course difficult to fully close a beach, but I would ask that you do not access any of these areas.
Please bear with us in the Coastal Team while we work through assessing the impacts and actions that can be taken. Should you however, wish to ask any questions then please do so by emailing us at coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
Please visit our website page: NFBHOA Stop Press to find information concerning the development of an updated Christchurch Bay Coastal Strategy.
There are over 400 beach huts at Hordle Cliff. Many of the huts are directly on the beach and others are situated behind these on the cliff. It is a pebble beach, but there is a little sand at low tide and when it is low spring tide the sandbar is visible and makes a pleasant lagoon.
How to find the beach
The beach is just over a mile from Milford and about 4 miles from New Milton on the B3058. If you are using “Sat Nav” the post code is SO41 0UX.
Car Parking
There are two car parks - Hordle Cliff Car Park and Paddy’s Gap Car Park.
Access
Access to the beach is via two sets of steps, each with over 50, but with seats half way down! There is also access to the beach huts via a slope from Paddy’s Gap Car Park. As you can tell from the description there is no recommended disabled access to the beach.
Toilets / Shower / Water
Public toilets are situated at Hordle Cliff Car Park. There is a fresh water shower available at the foot of the steps from Hordle Cliff Car Park and there are several water taps from a stand pipe adjacent to the steps.
Refreshments
There is a kiosk selling chips, snacks, locally made ice cream and drinks which is usually open from March to end of October from 11 o’clock until 6 p.m., depending on the weather. The fish and chips are excellent!
Buying a Hut at Hordle Cliff Beach
Prospective purchasers of beach huts at Hordle Cliff need to know what they would get for their money.
Caveat emptor “the principle that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made” should be applied but I believe that there is some information that should also be readily available to all prospective buyers.
As all hut owners at Hordle Cliff Beach are now well aware, NFDC have adopted a “Do Nothing” policy as part of the SMP (Shoreline Management Policy). This was adopted back in 2009 and was re-emphasised to all the hut owners at the NFBHOA AGM on 30th April 2019 by NFDC’s “Service Manager - Coastal Services” and one of his “Coastal Projects Engineers”. In essence NFDC do not manage or maintain Hordle Cliff Beach, it is left to nature and erosion will occur naturally. NFDC have stipulated that they will not replenish or redistribute the shingle and neither will they re-profile the beach. Further information on the SMP can be found on the website https://twobays.net
On 18 January 2019, this letter was sent by NFDC to owners of huts at Hordle Cliff beach:
Hordle Cliff Beach Hut Owners Letter - Steve Cook- 18.1.2019
A statement by NFDC on Hordle huts, dated 18 February 2019 has now been removed from the NFDC website.
Purchasers of beach huts at Hordle Cliff Beach are buying the hut (and in some cases its contents), nothing else. With the exception of the area of Hordle Cliff Beach that is owned by the Barker Mill Estate, the rest is owned by NFDC. The plot the hut stands on is therefore owned by NFDC and each hut owner signs a licence agreement with NFDC to pay a rent annually (April renewal). The cost of the licence is dependent on the size of the hut and whether the owner is resident within the NFDC area. The annual charges can be found by following this link https://newforest.gov.uk/article/1414/Fees-and-Charges-Beach-Huts
All huts on NFDC’s beaches are governed by NFDC’s planning permissions. There has been a strong rumour that there will be no planning applications accepted from hut 135 heading east on the upper level and also those huts that are on the shingle behind the sea defence wall. NFDC have been contacted on this matter and this is their response:
“I can confirm that currently there are no planning restrictions in place with regard to the replacement of existing beach huts. Should an owner wish to replace a hut or make other alterations they will (as previously) need to follow the planning process. Each application will then be considered on its own merits, taking into account the usual consultations and officer report. It is likely though that any applications to enlarge the footprint of a hut or decking is likely to be resisted.
From a coastal point of view we do obviously have concerns regarding the erosion that has taken place and may still happen, along with the risk to huts and beach users and so will consider this in our response to any application.”
If prospective purchasers wish to get more information from NFDC regarding Hordle Cliff Beach (or any of the other beaches that NFDC manage) they can be contacted by sending an e-mail to coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
Other information of a more general nature is available from NFBHOA, details can be found via the FAQs tab on this NFBHOA site.
By way of an update to the item posted below, regarding the installation of a 75m rock revetment at Milford-on-Sea, Peter Ferguson of NFDC now wishes to inform Milford Hut Owners and other beach users that there will be times over the two weeks commencing Monday 16 September when the lower promenade will be closed. This is for health and safety reasons due to the possibility of small shards of rock being released during the placement process.
On Monday 16th September, the contractor will start to place large “armourstone units” in front of the seawall, just east of the central set of steps (in front of Hut 132). Work will then move in an easterly direction as the structure is constructed. Work will be carried out on “double tides” (i.e. twice a day) to maximise the available low water opportunities to place rock. During week commencing 16 September, the biggest impact of the closures will be around the afternoon low water period and will mean the following closures at the eastern end of the lower promenade between huts 132 and 164.
September 2024:
Monday 16th, 2pm to 6pm (approx.)
Tuesday 17th, 2pm to 6pm (approx.)
Wednesday 18th, 3pm to 7pm (approx.)
Thursday 19th, 3pm to 7pm (approx.)
Friday 20th, 4pm to 8pm (approx.)
Depending on progress during the week, it may also be necessary to work over the weekend. If this is the case the lower promenade is likely to be closed at the following times:
Saturday 21st, 4pm to 8pm (approx.)
Sunday 22nd, 5pm to 9pm (approx.)
Note: these are approximate times and may be subject to change, depending on weather and tide.
Depending on the rate of progress, it is also likely that closures will be necessary the following week (between Monday 23rd and Friday 27th September inc.). During this week, closures will be during the morning, with the lower promenade being re-opened in the afternoon. It is possible that as the work progresses it may only be necessary to close shorter sections of the promenade.
Works will be attended by Jonathan Griffiths, Dave Robson or Peter Ferguson all of NFDC.
NFDC are grateful to hut owners for bearing with them as the work is carried out, with apologies for the inconvenience that these closures may cause.
For any queries please email: coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
NFDC has informed NFBHOA’s Committee that their on-going coastal maintenance programme will be continuing this autumn at Milford-on-Sea, with the installation of a rock revetment in front of the seawall at the eastern end of the beach huts, along with groyne repairs and a beach recharge to the west.
Work will be undertaken in two phases over an eight-week period (approximately 4 weeks per phase), subject to suitable weather and tides. The works are being carried out by Earlcoate Construction & Plant Hire Ltd.
Phase1: With reference to the plan (shown below), work will commence w/c August 26th (after the bank holiday weekend) with Site Compound 1 being set up south of Hurst Road, adjacent to the promenade (just west of the playpark).
Rock deliveries are expected to begin w/c 2nd September. In total 1,100 tons of rock will be delivered to the compound. Rock will then be transferred between the compound and the beach. To facilitate this operation, the main promenade will need to be closed for short periods of time, of around 15 mins to enable the safe movement of plant between the compound and the beach. It is anticipated that the need for closures will be minimal, and we ask that users of the promenade to bear with us during this time. Access around the compound using Hurst Road will also be available during this time. Otherwise, it is planned that the promenade will remain open during the works. Public safety will be managed by Traffic Marshalls located at the public interface (crossing point) and at the entrance to the site to safely guide lorries arriving and departing between Hurst Road and the site.
Once transferred, rock will be placed on the beach to form a simple structure in front of the seawall along the two eastern bays in front of the beach huts. This will provide additional protection from wave attack along the toe of the seawall, where beach levels are low. These works will also include some rock repairs to several of the timber groynes in the vicinity.
Please note, as these works require favourable tides and weather conditions; it may be necessary to undertake work early or late in the day, or at weekends, during this period.
Phase2: Once the rock works are complete, Site Compound 1 will be removed, and Site Compound 2 will be set up in Hurst Road West Car Park. Work will then start on the timber maintenance and beach recharge.
The beach recharge will consist of 2,500 tons of shingle material being deposited in 3 groyne bays at the western end of the promenade (opposite the toilet block). These groyne bays have been subject to significant erosion recently, resulting in the need for the access steps being closed. The additional material will help to restore levels, so that the beach better dissipates wave energy and protects the seawall, as well as improving access. This work will be undertaken during daylight hours, with recharge material being delivered to the site using lorries and tipped down a temporary delivery chute / access ramp. Using a dump truck, material will then be mechanically moved into adjoining groyne bays (to the east).
In addition to the beach recharge, work will be undertaken on the timber groyne located adjacent to the beach access steps. The groyne will be strengthened with additional timber piles. Groynes are an important element of the beach at Milford-on-Sea as they control longshore drift and help maintain the beach.
To accommodate the site compound, the eastern side of Hurst Road West Amenity Car Park will be closed for the duration of Phase-2. Lorries will enter the car park, where they will turn and (under supervision), reverse into the compound and up to the delivery chute.
Public safety will be managed by Traffic Marshalls located at key positions around the site and in the car park during vehicle movements, especially around the entrance to the compound. The access steps and promenade will be closed to accommodate the delivery chute and facilitate material being delivered, so a diversion will be set up around the car park (with signage).
During both phases of the work, there will be occasions when the lower promenade will be closed. Access to beach huts will be restricted during these times. The exact timing of the closures will be confirmed nearer the time.
For additional details on these works (including technical and historical information), please see the dedicated pages at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3391 or scan the QR code below. Where possible, notifications, such as for evening / weekend working, will be given out via NFDC’s social media pages (Facebook & Twitter).
Works will be attended by Jonathan Griffiths, Dave Robson or Peter Ferguson, all from NFDC.
NFDC apologises for the inconvenience that these works may cause. For any queries please email: coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
Your committee has been advised by NFDC of the temporary closure of the steps to the beach near to the Milford-on-Sea toilet block.StepsClosureJul24
You may have noticed that since the spring, some of the groyne bays fronting the concrete beach huts at Milford-on-Sea have experienced a lot of erosion. Unfortunately, this has impacted the steps nearest the toilet block at the western end, as the erosion has exposed older, uneven steps and created a large drop at the base.
Despite recently undertaking minor maintenance to these steps, the decrease in beach levels mean the steps are no longer considered safe for public access. As such, the steps have been temporarily closed by NFDC.
Please consider using alternative steps to access the beach, the steps to the east remain open.
NFDC apologises for the inconvenience this closure may cause.
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For a detailed description of the Timber Groyne Maintenance and Beach Recharge works at Milford-on-Sea, an analysis of the coastal protection plans, their importance and where they fit within the Christchurch Bay Coastal Strategy (see below) please follow this link to the relevant New Forest District Council web page: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3391/Shingle-recharge-and-timber-groyne-maintenance-Autumn-2023
Please visit our website page: NFBHOA Stop Press to find information concerning the development of an updated Christchurch Bay Coastal Strategy.
Photographs include before and after the February 2014 storms
The storms of the 2013/14 winter, and in particular the severe event during mid-February damaged a number of the Milford huts.
To the east of the White House there were 109 concrete huts mostly built in the 1960s, nine of concrete built in the 2007-09 period and one remaining timber hut. The timber hut was destroyed in January's storm and about 30 of the other concrete huts in February or subsequently demolished by the Council's contractors on safety grounds.
In mid-summer 2014 the entire range of huts to the east of the White House remained surrounded by a security fence and their owners banned from access. The Council has identified age related structural deficiencies as well as storm damage in many of these huts and has been trying to find a way forward that will have a reasonable degree of support. All of the remaining huts were demolished by the Council’s contractors in the summer of 2015 after a promise to owners that they would be replaced. Owners for the most part agreed to a scheme under which they would contribute the cost of repairs or like-for-like replacement costs of their huts and the Council pay the balance since the scheme would include improvements to the sea defences better visual aspects, and enhanced safety and beach access facilities.
Work on the replacement concrete huts was completed in May 2017 and on Sunday 3rd September, in spite of very inclement weather we celebrated the rebuilding and opening of the new huts. In British bulldog style everyone carried on regardless... There was a real community spirit and determination to enjoy the event, rain, wind and all.
Many thanks are due to those who opened their huts, those who helped from our committee in the lead up and on the day, and those Milford hut owners who took on extra duties. The village butcher's plan no. 3 was excellent, replacing the originally intended hog roast by providing instead delicious and very welcome pork baps and vegetarian paella.
Last but by no means least - most particular and very extra special thanks to Milford rep. Colin Holdsworth for organising and arranging everything in advance and galvanising the troops into action.
A memorable day indeed.
Milford on Sea has two ‘Amenity’ pay-and-display carparks in Hurst Road. The western park is more near to the beach huts. There are public toilets, a seafront café – ‘The Needles Eye’ and about 200 yards to its east a modern bistro – ‘The Lighthouse’.
Fresh water is available from taps located by The Needles Eye and behind the toilet block.