Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Eastney Beach - Portsmouth

Hampshire

Popular shingle city beach at the end of the Portsmouth / Southsea seafront.

Official naturist beach

This shingle beach (also known as 'Fraser Beach') is situated at the Eastney (east) end of Portsmouth and Southsea seafront. The beach is popular, and has a very active user group : Eastney Naturist Beach Facebook Group. One report says: 'It's my contention that Eastney is the easiest-access naturist beach in southern England, and no one has challenged this yet.'

The local council are aware of its tradition of nude use. The beach sign says: "Everyone is free to use this area of beach, which has been popular with naturists for many years.".

In May 2024, a new housing development on former MOD land adjacent to the beach was given planning permission. The plans include a new sea front path, and rock boulder sea defences. As on May-24, the beach is being used by naturists as normal, but the improved sea front path may have a long term effect on the solitary character of the beach.

Getting There

Satnav: PO4 9LQ

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 narrow road leads down to the entrance to the former Defence Research Establishment. To the right of the entrance, a footpath leads to the beach. On reaching the beach turn left and you reach the naturist section within only 100 yards.

Eastney Naturist Beach is very easy to access. Go to Fort Cumberland Road (PO4 9LQ). It has a sharp turn to the left and on that corner is a gravel car park which is free but likely to be full very quickly on a hot day. Then in the bottom corner of the carpark, near the gate to the abandoned building, is a little footpath. Follow it around and you will come to the beach. Anywhere left of the footpath is naturist. (taken from the Eastney FB page)

Public Transport: Take the train to Portsmouth harbour. From The Hard (bus interchange), take bus # 25 straight to the beach which runs every 45 mins (Mon-Sat), every 90 mins (Sun). View of bus stop where you get off

Description

Although not, perhaps, the best part of a shingle beach, Eastney is described as being 'well sheltered' and offering 'pleasant sunbathing'.

"Simple, neutral, no fuss. The siting of the [previous -ed] 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.

Development Proposals

2024 : After a very long planning process, lasting nearly 20 years, planning permission has been given for New Homes and an improved coast path. While it does safeguard the Naturist Beach, the improved sea front path may alter the beach's long term character and solitude.

Latest info: join Eastney Naturist Beach Facebook Group

June, 2024

Map

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Comments

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Sandy

23-Jul-23

I visited the beach on a July weekday. All well and a good scattering of hardy naturists around in the fairly stiff breeze, and great swimming at low tide despite the wind.
Public transport update. 25 bus from the Hard Interchange (near Portsmouth Harbour) - get off at Ferry Road, head straight for the seafront and when you get to the beach, turn left for about 400m to the naturist area. The 1 and 2 buses also stop near Portsmouth and Southsea (civic offices stop) and Fratton stations but you have to get off at Eastney Road and walk east for about 10 minutes to get to Ferry Road, then follow the directions above.
Glen Fryer

Oct-13

We have used Eastney as a naturist beach for nearl twenty years .
Pete

Jul-11

Went there today for the first time - possibly the busiest naturist beach I've been to. No wandering around wondering if you're in the right spot - today there were people sunbathing naked right up to where the path comes onto the beach. Turn left off the path and you're among them. The clothed folks to the right of the path didn't seem to have any objection.
I was there around high tide and it's all pebbles and a bit uncomfortable to walk on even in sandals with the small stones. There's a section of concrete seawall at the east end which some people base themselves on - an option if you really don't like the shingle.
Today it was mostly men, a few couples, no families that I noticed, but the odd well-behaved dog. Didn't notice any [inappropriate] behaviour of any kind. Only complaint is that the sea's still a bit chilly for swimming!
The sign mentioned above seems to have disappeared, or at least I didn't see it.