Swordfish Close

Street guide, Lee-on-the-Solent

Swordfish Close is a residential close within the Daedalus area, situated on the former HMS Daedalus airfield site and named after the Supermarine Swordfish aircraft, one of the most historically significant combat aircraft of the Second World War. The Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber that achieved legendary status through its role in attacking the Italian fleet at Taranto and in numerous other operations throughout the Second World War and beyond. The aircraft's name choice for this residential close reflects thoughtful heritage commemoration, ensuring that the site's military aviation legacy is honoured through the place names and historical associations embedded in the landscape. Swordfish Close reflects the military aviation character of the broader Daedalus Village redevelopment, providing modern family homes within the wider Daedalus Village development whilst incorporating the site's significant historical character. The close's intimate scale and modern construction create a contemporary residential environment whilst the street naming maintains continuous connection to the site's extraordinary aviation heritage. Residents on Swordfish Close benefit from new-build properties with contemporary amenities, energy efficiency standards, and modern design, contrasting with the historical military structures that once dominated the site. The close provides good access to the broader Daedalus development, including the Hovercraft Museum and other community facilities now occupying the regenerated airfield site. The naming strategy throughout the Daedalus Village development creates a coherent heritage narrative, with multiple streets named after significant aircraft that operated from RNAS Lee-on-Solent, creating an outdoor museum of aviation history embedded within the residential landscape. Walking around Swordfish Close and the broader Daedalus area creates genuine connection to the site's military aviation history, with street names serving as constant reminders of the extraordinary operations that occurred on this location. Residents benefit from both contemporary living standards and the distinctive character of living within a heritage-informed residential development. The close's modest scale maintains intimate, neighbourhood-focused character whilst contributing to the broader Daedalus Village regeneration narrative.