Eastney Beach, also known as Fraser Beach (after the nearby MOD range), is ideally located very close to Portsmouth and Southsea on the south coast. With good road and public transport links and a city centre very close by, this popular beach is also designated as a naturist area with signs warning clothed bathers.
Predominently shingle, the whole beach area stretches from the Pyramids Centre in the far south of the peninsula all the way along to the entrance to the eastern side of Portsea Island and Milton Lake. The naturist section as at the eastern end near the MOD site. There is also a caravan park just behind, plenty of parking in the area as well as the usual array of shops and eateries.
Mostly made up of shingle it isn’t perhaps the most beautiful of spaces – the old MOD buildings are looking dilapidated and the barbed wire fencing is somewhat off-putting – but it’s promixity to amenities and great access makes this perhaps the easiest naturist beach to get to.
The naturist section starts at the footpath where you join the beach and stretches east until you can go no further. If you are walking up from Southsea, the footpath in question is just at the end of the caravan park.
Being so close to a city means it is especially busy on sunny days and there should be no mistake of where you are. But despite this, even if it was eerily quiet, the fact that the naturist section is so clearly defined will add confidence to those who are a little unsure.
Unfortunately, the MOD land that backs onto this end of the beach has been sold to developers who are looking to convert the area into residential blocks, potentially putting the naturist beach at risk. This issue has been ongoing for around 15 years and the land has been sold to different developers during this time.
Currently, in 2021, the beach is still enjoyed by all and is frequented by naturists on a regular basis – you will never be the only nude sunbather on Eastney. But the future of the site and surrounding area continues to be in doubt.
Portsmouth City Council’s Seafront Masterplan from 2013 (p.73) makes no mention of the beaches current use (the naturist area) but the recognition of the area’s ecological vulnerabilities will hopefully move the conversation away from development and more towards preservation.
Wide shingle beach with sand appearing at low tide. Good parking and access and well-desgniated areas. The backdrop isn’t pretty, and the view of the ferrys passing by isn’t the most inspiring. But the beach is well-located, clean, tidy and loved by many.
Generally speaking very clean considering its proximity to a large city and sea-faring traffic. The shingle gives way to sand at the foreshore, which steps down shortly after. On a breezy day the surf can pick up but generally speaking the water is safe and there are no surprising currents within the usual swimming areas.
Eastney Beach Location
Directions
Detailed directions can be found here »
From the west, join up with the M27 and peel off to Portsmouth via the M275 and head down towards the city. Follow signs to Southsea, then Eastney. You will either cut through the city or or glide down the western side and along the hisotric harbour and around into Southsea. Eastney is just a bit further along from Southsea.
