The Solent (seagrass meadows and chalk reefs)
The Solent is a 7000-year old stretch of water, formed when sea levels rose during the last Ice Age, to flood the River Frome estuary, causing the Isle of Wight to separate from the mainland.
This narrow stretch of sea is a very important haven for seagrass meadows (home to endangered sea turtles and sea horses) and rare chalk reefs (like our version of coral reefs).
Hayling Island is the largest island in the Solent, with many Blue Flag beaches. The shallow waters has made it popular for water sports (windsurfing was invented here).
Never use jet skis, they harm many creatures, and cause noise pollution and accidents, and drive baby gulls and seals away from their parents. Report any wildlife crime to Crimestoppers (anonymous).
Read our post for sustainable sailors (covers wildlife-friendly tips). If at the coast, read about how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Portsmouth: England’s Only Island City
Portsmouth is England’s only island city, with a commercial hovercraft service (no rudders, so better for wildlife) to Isle of Wight. It has a strong naval base, and like Norwich, one of the few cities to have two cathedrals (one Catholic, one Anglican).
Birthplace to writer Charles Dickens, it’s skyline is dominated by Spinnaker Tower (which accepts money to light up at night – this could cause cause bird strike, as lights should be turned off in glass buildings).
A short walk from Portsmouth is Southsea, a nice little town with a pier and boating lake. Its main claim to fame is that one gym member during the 60s was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who visited for bodybuilding exhibitions, before he left to become a movie star and governor of California.
Southampton: A South Coast Sailing Port
The home for sustainable sailors (and is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports), Southampton is sadly the place where the luxury liner Titanic set sail for its final voyage, before hitting an iceberg, and sinking in 1912.
Jane Austen also lived here (she wrote Sense and Sensibility while living here). The city is also home to the world’s oldest bowling green.
The Hamptons (visit another Southampton!)
Just a short drive from New York City is The Hamptons, a set of two affluent towns (Southampton and East Hampton) along with beautiful villages. It’s known as the East End, but not like our version!
Home to swanky millionaires, it has clean beaches and many independent shops, and a non-profit organic teaching farm. The local bookstore was saved from development, bought by a local art dealer.
Bookstores are genuinely useful to me. I like picking things up, reading the dust jackets. The great thing about a bookstore, is that you’ll go in looking for one thing, and come out with five. Larry Gagosian
