For the latest version of this page and future updates, please go to the naturist beach Guide at the: Naturist UK Fact File
General
This beach is situated at the Eastney end of Portsmouth and Southsea
seafront. The local council are aware of its tradition of nude use and
have erected appropriate signs. [see below] One reporter says: 'It's my
contention that Eastney is the easiest-access naturist beach in southern
England, and no one has challenged this yet.'
Naturists campaign to secure future use of Eastney
beach despite nearby property development.
MORE DETAILS
Access & Parking
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
car park at the junction of Fort Cumberland Rd and Melville Rd. A path on
the right of the entrance to the Defence Research Establishment leads to
the beach. On reaching the beach turn left and you reach the nude section
within only 100 yards.
By public transport, take the train to Portsmouth and Southsea, then by
bus to Eastney (I think the stop is Eastney barracks, if not, ask for the
"radar station" - they'll know where you mean.
"Number 40 First National bus from Waterloovile or Cosham, direct to
the sea front, then a short walk, will take you to the beach."
Description
Although not, perhaps, the best part of a shingle beach, Eastney is
described as being 'well sheltered' and offering 'pleasant sunbathing' In
2001 notices have been erected near the eastern end of the beach. Topped
by the City coat of arms, they state "The beach beyond this point is
used by nudists."
"Simple, neutral, no fuss. The siting of the 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.
Water Quality
Summer 1999: water meets Environment Agency "guideline quality"
standard.
Trip Report - August 2005 by Don and Mary
"Our first trip to a public beach and found it excellent The beach was clean and spacious and no section of the community misbehaved."
Trip Report - August 2005 by "Lizzie W"
" I chose this beach for my "first time" (9th 2005) on the basis of your other reports. It's certainly easy to find and has plenty of parking. I would agree that the path and beach approach is less than glamorous, as is the MOD building, but the beach itself was clean and the shingle is smooth and easy to lie on. The view across the water was plenty of compensation though!
When I got to the beach there were plenty of other people there - a few coules and families but otherwise mostly middle-aged singles. I chose a spot in-between a woman on her own and two women together and just went for it. I had been wearing a sun-top with no bra on purpose to help me feel more free and to make it easier to undress in one swift move instead of two...! Nobody was watching me while I did it and I don't think anybody really looked at me all afternoon either.
I am surprised at how easy it was to bare all. All I feel now is a desperate desire to go back. There's nothing sexual or a turn-on about it, is there. I suppose there's an element of sensuality but mostly just a feeling of relaxation. I've certainly not felt so comfortable about my own body in a long time. It was much easier and more relaxing than sunbathing in the garden. Why is that?!....
Trip Report - May 2005
" I recently found this beach by luck as I did not know where it was. But as my first time on this beach I found it very enjoyable. One end of the beach (the far end) is where most gay couples go - sometimes around the concrete stones. The other end of the beach are straights and in the middle people who just don't care or families. I enjoyed my time there and as a local, I will go back. I do enjoy.... just feeling relaxed naked around other people, its a real nice feeeling and does give me confidence about myself and my body. I hope you will enjoy the beach as much as I did last year.
Trip Report - January 2005 by "Kate"
"I live in Portsmouth and have visited the nudist beach a couple of times each summer for a quite a few years. It tends to be when I'm on my own,wanting to get a full tan and relax and read a book. I do find that most times a 40+ man will come over and sart talking and sit down which is all done in a polite manner (with nothing funny going on) but is slightly irritating as I do want to read my book but don't want to be rude and unsociable. I don't have a good enough memory to know if it's the same man or not!
I do find that I am the only single female there and any other females are with a man... . i agree with the earlier comment that at least 80% of the people are male 50+. The beach is away from from the promonade walkway and road and so is fairly secluded. Apparently it is MOD land and is part of the MOD station directly behind it. It is rumoured that there are staff in there who do have binoculars. It's a case of we tolerate them and they tolerate us on their land."
Trip Report - September 2004
"Having just returned from this beach on what has been described as one of the hottest weekends for what seems like an eternity (Sept 4th 5th and 6th), I would make the following observations.
I was fortunate enough to be staying at the nearby campsite and as such, the beach is literally over the brow. The campsite is wonderful and has every amenity available. I had read that the signage to the nudist section is clearly marked. Sadly this is not the case. The only signage I could find was where someone had written in felt tip pen on a lifebelt station "Nudist beach THIS way and clothed beach THAT way"!! Maybe someone has decided to remove the official signage.
However of the 3 days it would appear that Saturday is mainly for male couples, Sunday is for families and Mondays for locals and holiday makers. It is vey much a male dominated environment - which I don't have a problem with - but it would be nicer to see more families and females. Maybe females feel a little nervous about voyeurs. The most irritating factor here (and someone has mentioned it before) is the constant stream of jet-skis which seem to take delight in getting closer and closer to the beach. They are seriously dangerous. Other than a group of "morons" who took perverted delight passing slowly with binoculars and shouting obscenities, the experience was on, the whole, very pleasant. I shall certainly visit again".
Trip Report - September 2004
"We finallly managed to come to Eastney on a day when the sun was out on Saturday, September 4th and liked it enough to return the next day.
My girlfriend, who has been nude with me on Brighton beach felt a lot more relaxed than she did at the east Sussex resort and was even comfortable enough to swim to the end of the beach and walk back along the sandy stretch. Though pebbly, the stones were not too painful (unlike Brighton) and the water was lovely once we were in! We saw very little sign of seedyness compared with what we have witnessed in Brighton and can report that on sunny weekend days at least Eastney draws a mixed crowd of couples, singles and families.
This will now become my beach of choice, not least because it is only twenty miles from home."
Trip Report - September 2004
"After my earlier visit on a cloudy day I returned on a sunny day (1st Sept).
Whilst I was the only one there last time, this time it was used by approx 30 or 40 naturists. The signs have been removed since my last visit so no deliniation between textile & naturist is apparent although the basic rule that was accepted was end of path to the left was Naturist. This was a very relaxing quiet spot and there was some small sandy areas available for bathing. It was very enjoyable and relaxing visit.
The only down side was when I first got there I walked to the farthest point & stripped off and was soon joined by an chap in his 50's I went over for a quick chat & he started to 'play with himself', so I promptly moved down the beach away from him. I couldn't believe what I had seen - is this normal behaviour? However, all the other people were well behaved and just there to enjoy the sun. Is it just me or are Naturists made up of 80% skinny '50 something' men, 10% 'cuddly' women & 10% 'others'?
PS: I went to Black Rock (Brighton) later in the day which bares no comparison to Eastney"
Trip Report - August 2004
"I had set a day aside to visit my first ever Naturist beach, which was Monday 9th August 2004. Yes, that's right, the day the sun never came out at all !!!
Anyway, the beach was fairly easy to find thanks to the NUFF directions. The path to it, went past a camp site, at the end of which (2 metres away) was the sign saying "The beach beyond this point is used by Nudists" Then, some 200m further down, a similar sign facing the other way - therefore only a 200m section [has been] set aside. I feel this could have been extended Eastwards by another 300 or 400m to a natural corner point. As these were the only 2 signs at the back of the beach there was no other deliniation nearer the sea... many textiles walked along the beach possibly unaware of the naturist section.
On my visit certainly I was the only naturist there - thanks to the weather, alas. I was passed by a number of textiles walking across the beach. Quite a few single men possibly hoping for more than just my naked body. The building behind whilst creating some privacy wasnt the best of backdrops. A pleasent view out to The Isle of Wight though. I will return again if I can find a day the sun is guaranteed, to give it possibly a better review."
Trip Report - August 2004
"Yippee! I have eventually made it to a naturist beach after 56 years on this earth. And, inspite of the odd shower, it was heaven and the swimming was just great! Easy to access and, alright, a lttle unkind on the feet because of the pebbles, but a lovely little spot and I was left alone to enjoy my first 'public' naturist expirience. Can't wait to get back! If only my wife felt the same way!! "
Trip Report - August 2004
"We have as a family visited this beach quite a lot for many years, and after being away from the area for a number of years have re-aquainted ourselves with it. It is still a joy to go to with young kids as car parking is free and it is only a short walk to the beach (unlike Studland). But, there are a lot of old men who walk about with "stiffies"... who stare at you , but we can live with that as we have encountered these people everywhere we have been. The one thing that was damn annoying was jet skis, these morons were coming closer and closer to swimmers, at one point coming between swimmers and shore, one poor chap who had a snorkle was nearly hit twice by the same idiot. We are toying with the idea of throwing stones at them ..."
Trip Report - August 2004
"Firstly, congratulations to NUFF for providing such detailed and accurate directions to reach the beach.
There, I'm afraid, the compliments end.
The path from the car park towards the radar station was quite liberally littered with dog faeces; the view ahead of the hulking buildings and masts surrounded by rusting steel and wire did little for the ambiance of the place.
Where the path opens out on to the beach was a standard council waste bin; surrounding the waste bin to a height of some three feet was a mini-mountain of rubbish, albeit bagged and neatly stacked. No bonus points for Portsmouth Council there, then.
I saw none of the family units, or groups of women mentioned in your reports. There was one male/female couple, a few male pairs, and largely middle-aged single men, one of whom was masturbating vigorously. The whole area had a shabby and sleazy fell to it; I did not stay.
I shall stick to Studland, even though it's a 90-mile drive as opposed to the 50 miles to Portsmouth."
Trip Report - July 2004
"This was my second visit to Eastney, 17th July and the sun was the first I'd seen for nearly a month. My second visit was as enjoyable as the first.
Contrary to some negative comments on your previous reports, I think the beach is a lovely one to visit. Easy to get to and comprising a good cross section of people all determined not to intrude on each other's privacy. The high tides of the winter have thrown up a lot of shingle on the promenade which I find comfortable to sit on. What I like about Eastney is the glorious view over to the Isle of Wight with the attendent treat of the shipping movements in and out of both Portsmouth Harbour as well as further off Southampton.
No strollers or gawpers make this a good one to go for if you have never sripped off on a UK beach before."
Trip Report -2004
"I spent 5 hours on the beach in glorious unbroken sunshine at Eastney today, Tuesday 18th May 2004. This was my first naturist experience.
My nerves soon escaped me as I found the naturist section clearly signposted immediately - credit must go to the local council. It was a scorching day and I found numerous nude bathers dotted around the beach - a fair few lone males, several couples, a number of families and quite a few groups of women. The beach itself is fairly tidy and litter free, but the stones and shingle made life uncomfortable. I was able to spot the regulars fairly easily - they'd all brought padded mats to lay on and flip flops to overcome the surface!
I found myself a spot midway down the beach and soon realised that being fully clothed, I looked quite out of place. This helped me enormously as I soon stripped off and quickly felt comfortable with my surroundings. My courage grew as the afternoon wore on, and I wandered down to the water and enjoyed a refreshing dip. The water was a worrying colour but I took the plunge, as did numerous other bathers during the day.
Overall I found the beach to be inhabited by very friendly natives, a cosy atmosphere and a picturesque view out to sea. In the event, the huge radar construction behind us provided the beach with a bit of reassuring privacy. Perhaps the most heartening aspect of all was the way the locals - men, women and children alike - all respected each others' right to do as they pleased without interruption or criticism. If only this was a sandy beach it'd be my ideal day out! "
Trip Report -2003 - Irene
"It is not the nicest spot for a naturist beach, but it is of easy
reach. Finding lots of couples and groups of women gave me lots of
confidence to enjoy the beach. Although many of the women are not nude nor
topless, nude men are everywhere. There are lots of couples where the man
is nude and the woman is not, but this is not a turn off. Instead it
encourages women who don't feel confident about getting nude for the first
time to attend this beach, take a look, enjoy and may be in the next visit
get nude. Lots of groups of local girls, who do not get nude, attend this
beach just for the fun of it but this does not bother the nude male
sunbathers."
Trip Report - August 2002
"I visited the beach last Saturday. I was very shy at first, but
this did not last. When I came away I was completly refreshed and felt
totally different, full of confidence, as this was my first visit to a
naturist beach. Well done Portsmouth City council.
Trip Report - July 2002 - John R. Owen
I recently (7 July 2002) visited Eastney Naturist Beach, at Eastney near Portsmouth. Eastney Naturist Beach can be reached by walking east along the main promenade at Eastney. The naturist section is at the eastern most point of the promenade. It’s easily spotted as it’s overlooked by a Ministry of Defence (MOD) radar station (look for a black tower).
The naturist section itself consists entirely of gravel, and is only a couple of hundred metres wide. Portsmouth Council have marked the naturist section off with a couple of small signs. This naturist beach is similar in size and quality to the terrible one at Brighton, but its clientele is mostly heterosexual rather than homosexual as at Brighton. Only ten feet behind the beach is the MOD radar station - an absolute monstrosity of a building for a naturist beach. Anyone in the station would surely have a good view of the naturists. The naturists on the beach claimed there was no-one in the building. I can only hope they were right.
Eastney is no match for the naturist beaches at Studland (Poole) and Morfa Dyffryn (Gwynedd). Of all the beaches around the Portsmouth area, this, surely, is a poor place to locate a naturist beach. I can only recommend this beach to people who live locally to Eastney or Portsmouth. Anyone travelling from further afield would do far better visiting Studland.
Trip report from Wendy 5/8/01
"[I] really liked the simple statement on the signs that the beach "is used by naturists". Although the beach is very shingly, it was an ideal setting as it is only overlooked by the radar station, and being at the end of the seafront there is no procession of non-naturists walking by gawping! With the Isle of Wight providing a backdrop, it made an interesting place to sit and watch the various activities on the water, from the large ferries to the small yachts, windsurfers and jetskis. As well as the inevitable single male naturists, there were several male/female couples sunbathing (of all ages and all shapes and sizes, I was pleased to see!!), and a family where Mum and Dad were nude, but the children were romping about with their cozzies on.
We visited the beach two days running and found the first day to be very windy with hazy sunshine, but the second day cleared to blue skies and hot sunshine with a lovely cooling breeze - perfect!! At least when it's windy you don't get sand-blasted as you do in Studland (although my heart very much belongs to Studland despite this!). I would definitely recommend this beach for people who want quick and easy access, but would urge them to take something thick or spongy to lie on, and if you want to wander down to the water's edge, wear a pair of jellies or flip-flops. The stones and shells can be quite sharp!! "
Other Opportunities - Hayling Island
(Information kindly supplied by Phillip):
"Whilst there are no "official" Naturist beaches on the
Island, it is fairly accepted that the locals often sunbathe along the
shingle beaches to the west of the former Hayling Billy railway line (now
a cycle path): access to these areas is excellent since the cycle path is
no more than 100 yds away but screened by local woodland.
If you fancy something less pebbly, the sand dunes to the South-West of
the Island are popular, especially during weekdays when the beaches aren't
quite so busy. As is usual, providing you are reasonably careful to keep
off the beaten tracks, there should be no problems - I've been sunbathing
here naked for 10 years and although I have met a few people, there has
never been any hostility. On one memorable occasion, I was cooking nicely
when Ma, Pa and the kids hove to over the next dune - I was on the point
of putting something on when one of the little ones yelled "hey Mum,
it's a Naturist beach", and the entire family promptly stripped off!"
This page compiled with help from:
PLEASE NOTE:
Information on this page is provided "as is" and without any
express or implied terms or warranties.
Any use you may make of the information is entirely at your own risk.