Barton on Sea is a pretty little coastal village on the Hampshire coast and is just a short drive away from the New Forest National Park. It is in fact an extended suburb of the nearby larger New Milton.

It is known to have been inhabited since the Anglo Saxon times though most of what you see today was built during the 20th Century.

Barton on Sea is nice to visit if you like the idea of an impressive coastal walk with the wind breezing through your hair. It is one of my favourite places to come and walk our dogs Pip and Bella, I`m sure they will agree with me when I say that its a wonderful spot to come and stretch your legs and enjoy fantastic views across The Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Barton has a long grassy promenade that can be walked upon with plenty of benches to stop and rest or have a flask of coffee to take in the beautiful vista. At the turn of the early 1900s this lovely well maintained grassland used to be over 100 metres wide but sadly due to the relentless erosion of the cliffs over the years this has now been reduced to around 20 metres. The promenade is safe to stroll along but do be careful not to walk too close to the cliff edge and always adhere to the warning signs on display.

The Solent Way

At the eastern end of the promenade you will see the Barton on Sea golf club, and it is at this end that you can join the start of the splendid coastal walk along The Solent Way. This clifftop walk hugs the coastline offering numerous beauty spots and taking in magnificent scenery across to other coastal villages, namely Milford on Sea and Hurst Castle at Keyhaven.

The Solent Way is quite a long trek and stretches all the way to the West Sussex border if you are feeling that brave. You can walk as far or as little as you like across this lovely stretch of Hampshire coastline, it`s ideal for anybody who loves the great outdoors or wants a great dog walk, whatever the season.

There is a lovely circular walk that we do with the dogs that takes us along the grassy promenade and on to the initial part of the coastal path. Strolling alongside one of the golfing fairways we pass through the gorse bushes, which look and smell divine in Spring. From here we bear right and head down to the beach which can be difficult to access for people with walking difficulties.

The beach is very pebbly but benefits from the dramatic cliffs on one side and the spectacular waves that come crashing ashore on the other. Within half an hour of taking to the beach we ascend back up to the promenade, usually heading to the wonderful Beachcomber Cafe on the seafront for a light lunch and cup of tea. You can read my review about this typically English tea room here.

Things To See And Do In Barton on Sea

• Famous for it`s stunning clifftop views and wide expanses, one highlight not to be missed is the fabulous coastal path along The Solent Way. Join the path at the eastern end of the Promenade by the golf club and walk some of the most dramatic scenery you will likely see in the area. Views stretch for miles and over to the Isle of Wight and The Needles. The path accommodates walkers, cyclists and even the odd horse rider.
• On windy day it`s not unusual to see daredevil para gliders stepping off the cliffs to soar above the coastline and beyond. For the more sedate, both locals and tourists are out flying their kites on the broad grassy promenade.
• If you own a dog then there is no better place to let your pooch meet fellow canine friends and run around to their hearts content. Please ensure you pick up after your dog and use one of the many bins provided.
• Take a picnic and lay a blanket on the bowling green like grassy promenade. It is a fairly wide stretch of open grassland that follows the clifftops and there is plenty of room for everyone without feeling crowded.
• After a nice walk along the coastal path or beach be sure to visit the very popular Beachcomber Cafe for lunch and a drink. The ice cream parlour does very well serving the most delicious Marshfield ice cream.
• If you are thinking of staying in Barton on Sea then there are a few great hotels to choose from. the Cliff House hotel offers breathtaking views over the cliffs and over to The Solent whilst The Pebble Beach is an award winning hotel that sits on the cliff top. Head chef is Pierre Chevillard, who famous TV chef James Martin regards as an inspiration.

History of Barton on Sea

Barton on Sea is recognised for the abundance of fossils and geological content that can be found on the beaches and the Barton Geological Fossil Beds can be distinctly seen within the weather beaten cliffs. Barton is well known for its fossil bearing clay and due to constant cliff erosion, regularly reveals new fossils that have been lying hidden amongst the rock face for millions of years. They are affectionately referred to as Barton`s Fossils.

For many years Barton on Sea has had a serious problem with coastal erosion. Over the decades and more, the cliffs have diminished at a rate of over 1 metre per year, and several buildings have vanished with them. The erosion was encouraged by the sea defences that were added on the western side of Barton on Sea to strengthen the coastline at Bournemouth. This subsequently deprived Barton of the necessary sediment it needed to protect it`s cliffs. Some coastal protection measures were undertaken in the late 1930s but fell into disrepair during World War 2.

In the First World War, Barton on Sea was used as a site for convalescing Indian soldiers who were recovering from their wounds. an obelisk was erected in the village in 1917 to commemorate this and can still be seen today. In World War 2 due to the threat of German invasion, the seafront at Barton was made a restricted area and coastal defences were established, including a pillbox. Wartime relics and coastal defence material is still known to emerge from the beaches even after all these years.

How To Get To Barton On Sea