About Lee-on-the-Solent

Location and Setting

Lee-on-the-Solent is situated on the Solent coast of Hampshire, five miles west of Portsmouth. The town overlooks the Solent waterway, with clear views across to the Isle of Wight. Geographically it lies between the larger town of Gosport to the east and Stubbington to the west, forming part of the wider Gosport Borough. The seafront setting and protected anchorages have shaped the community for well over a century.

Character and Community

Lee-on-the-Solent is a quiet seaside town with a strong local character. The community is diverse, ranging from retired seafarers and naval pensioners to young families attracted by the schools and seafront recreation. The High Street retains a collection of independent shops, cafes, and small businesses rather than dominated by chain stores. The sailing culture is particularly strong: the Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club has a long membership, and the waters of the Solent draw water sports enthusiasts throughout the year. This blend of heritage, quiet living, and active outdoor community creates a cohesive town identity.

A Planned Resort

Unlike many English coastal settlements that evolved gradually over centuries, Lee-on-the-Solent was deliberately created. In 1884, Charles Edmund Newton Robinson and his father purchased land at Lee and laid out a plan for a seaside resort. They anticipated the growth of holiday travel and leisure culture in the 1880s. The railway connection, opening in 1894, brought visitors and contributed to the town's expansion. Marine Parade and the seafront were developed to attract day-trippers and seasonal residents. Though Lee-on-the-Solent never achieved the scale of major Victorian resorts like Southend or Bournemouth, it established itself as a respectable seafront destination for the south coast.

Aviation Heritage

The Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus, commissioned in 1939, became central to Lee-on-the-Solent's identity in the twentieth century. Generations of naval pilots trained at the station, and during the Second World War it was operational with Spitfires and Typhoons. The connection to D-Day and the defence of southern England gave the station lasting prominence. Even after naval operations ceased in 1996, the airfield remained active, and today it operates as Solent Airport with HM Coastguard helicopter operations. The aviation heritage remains a defining characteristic of the town's recent history and continues to shape the local economy.

Living in Lee-on-the-Solent

The town is served by primary and secondary schools within Gosport Borough. Transport links include regular bus services to Gosport and surrounding areas, with Fareham railway station providing rail access. The housing market includes period properties from the Victorian and Edwardian era, interwar housing, and modern residential developments. Property tends to be more affordable than comparable locations closer to Portsmouth or in coastal towns east along the Hampshire coast. The demographic mix skews towards retirees and established families, though new younger residents are attracted by the combination of seafront living, community amenities, and relative affordability. What draws people to Lee-on-the-Solent is often a combination of the seafront setting, the sailing tradition, the independent shops and cafes, and a sense of community identity that persists despite the pressures of modern development.