LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT

'Lee-on-the-Solent', often referred to as ''Lee-on-Solent'', is a small seaside town in Hampshire about five miles west of Portsmouth. The town gained its name from the river Lee - a small stream that flows from Peel Common into the Solent, which was originally used to name three hamlets along its length. Two of the hamlets, Lower Lee and Middle Lee, were to become Lee-on-the-Solent, while a third hamlet (known as Upper Lee) was to become Peel Common.
The town is located on the coast of the Solent and forms part of the borough of Gosport. It is primarily a sleepy residential area, with an upsurge of mostly local visitors in summer.
Lee is best known as being home to the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus (previously known as HMS Ariel). The station has been closed for several years but remains in use for leisure gliding and as the base of a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.
Recently there has been debate and much controversy over plans for the Daedalus site. At one stage there were suggestions that it would be used as a detention centre for asylum seekers, a move that was unpopular with local residents and was subsequently dropped. Channel 4 produced a documentary in 2004 dealing with the opposition to these plans.
In early May 2006 20 unexploded pipe bombs were found under HMS Daedalus during runway repairs. 60 feet (20 metres) long, they were designed to detonate in the event of a Nazi invasion during World War II. The subsequent removal led to the evacuation of ~900 homes staggered over a 5 week period, thought to be the largest of its kind in peacetime Britain.
Whilst Lee has a High Street which contains a number of shops it is in gradual decline. The once bustling shopping centre has slowly become a collection of restaurants and estate agents. This has come about since the number of retirement homes has drastically increased and the younger population have been pushed away. With the demolition of key spots in Lee such as The Belle Vue Hotel to make way for apartments, Lee is gradually losing its popularity as a holiday destination. This despite large new developments in the Cherque Farm area of the town. Children who grew up in Lee in the 60s and 70s will fondly remember 'Basil', the farmer who looked after the potato fields behind Skipper Way. They would try to pinch his potatoes and he would shoot them with salt from a shotgun!
With commanding views of the Solent and across the The Isle Of Wight, Lee seafront quite rightly was packed with families and people enjoying the beach nearly all year round. From Browndown right the way along as far as Hill Head in the west you would be hard pushed to find a spot to sit and enjoy yourself. Now it is rarely this busy, the seafront train has long since gone from the seafront with its station turned into a collection of beach huts, tucked away behind the car park near the location where the Lee Tower used to stand.

Contents

Places of interest

Trivia

External links

Places of interest

Lee-on-the-Solent is the home to the Hovercraft Museum which houses the world's largest collection of rare Hovercraft including some of the earliest and largest. It can be found on the main road along the seafront and hosts an open day every summer.
Further towards Gosport is the area known as Browndown. It is a former naval firing range and makes an interesting walk in summer. There are many old relics to explore, and it's not unknown to find large jellyfish washed up on the shore.
A short walk from the High Street in Lee is the Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis Club (known colloquially as the LOST Club). It is a popular spot with locals and features a small bar, a gym (with squash facilities) and six tennis courts.
Lee is also home to many pubs such as the Old ship, Bunpenny, Wyvern and the Inn by the Sea.

Trivia

Browndown army camp was the setting for the television series Bad Lads Army.
Browndown army camp is also used as a summer activity camp for young cadets from all over the country.

External links

★ World Gazeteer entry