Ariel Close

Street guide, Lee-on-the-Solent

Ariel Close is a residential close in the Daedalus area named after the Avro Anson aircraft, a remarkable twin-engined aircraft that served with distinction throughout the Second World War and beyond in roles ranging from reconnaissance to training and transport operations. The Anson achieved particular fame as one of the few aircraft to complete extremely long-distance maritime reconnaissance missions over the North Atlantic, contributing significantly to naval operations and the Battle of the Atlantic. The aircraft's reliability and longevity gave it a distinctive place in the hearts of those who operated it, and its naming choice for this residential close reflects the aircraft's enduring significance in British aviation history. Ariel Close forms part of the broader Daedalus Village redevelopment, providing contemporary family homes whilst honouring the site's role in British naval aviation history from the First and Second World Wars through the Cold War period. The close's intimate scale and modern residential design create a distinctive living environment that acknowledges historical significance whilst providing contemporary comfort and functionality. Residents on Ariel Close benefit from new-build properties with modern amenities, energy efficiency, and thoughtful design that reflects contemporary understanding of residential comfort and sustainability. The close's position within the Daedalus Village means residents are in close proximity to the Hovercraft Museum and other heritage interpretation facilities celebrating the site's extraordinary history. The naming strategy throughout the Daedalus development creates a coherent heritage landscape, with the totality of aviation-themed street names creating an open-air museum of British aircraft types that operated during the site's military period. Walking Ariel Close allows residents to contemplate the remarkable transformation of a working military airfield into a thriving residential community. The close provides genuine neighbourhood community with the shared distinction of living on a heritage-informed development site. Ariel Close's residents benefit from both contemporary living standards and the intellectual and emotional engagement that comes from inhabiting historically significant space.