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General
Just to confuse everyone the beach is in Portslade, access is via West
Hove but locals all seem to call it Shoreham. Backed as it is by the
industrial infrastructure of the busy commercial port of Shoreham Harbour
the attractions of this pebble beach are not immediately obvious.
Nevertheless it is highly prized by the many locals who use it. The beach
is owned by the Shoreham Port Authority who are prepared to turn a blind
eye to naturist use provided that they cause no nuisance or interference
in the working of the Port by indiscriminate car parking or interfere in
any way with any non-naturist use of the beaches. However they decline to
declare it official as, being within the Port area, it's not really a
public beach. Hopefully it will remain that way for years to come.
Access & Parking
Drive Westward from Brighton into Hove on the sea-front road, Kingsway.
Look out for the wind-surfing school at Hove Lagoon on your left. At this
point there are traffic lights where the road forks and the main road
veers inland and right. Go straight toward the apparent industrial
dereliction and turn left at the mini-roundabout. Grit your teeth and keep
going as this road dog-legs and snakes toward the dock area. At last you
will see a high concrete sea defence wall to the left. The length of this
wall together with a wooden continuation marks the naturist area. Over the
winter and spring months of 2001, the grass and shingle verges have been
cordoned off with low concrete posts. This is where most people used to
park in order to avoid the double yellow lines which run the entire length
of the harbour basin road. The authorities have now provided some fifty
odd neatly marked out parking spaces to the west end of the lorry
park.However this may mean that at peak times the parking spaces will come
under pressure and now there will be no other option than to park in town
and walk. Get there early is the advice.
You can get onto the beach by hopping over the wall or using the ramshackle ladder. Failing that, there is further space behind the wooden section at the other end. Alternatively, go a bit further and drive onto a part of the beach where the pebbles are compacted into a hard standing. For the reasons stated above, don't risk parking in the prohibited area behind the wall.
By Public Transport / On Foot:
From Hove station, leave by booking hall exit on platform one. There is
no nearby 'bus service that gets you to the beach, but a taxi will be
about three and a half quid. On foot it will take about 30 minutes. With
your back to the station you are facing south Walk down "Denmark
Villas" cross over, find the next road down, (George Street - full of
shops) walk down, cross over, find the next road down (Seafield Road -
full of guest houses) and you are on the Kingsway, the seafront road
(opposite the Texaco garage).Take the road to the right of the garage to
the promenade. Turn right and walk for about ten minutes to Hove lagoon
-at the end of the rows of beach huts on the promenade (between the
seafront road and the promenade). Go up on the promenade and walk to your
right (from facing the sea). The prom ends and you walk slightly downhill
to your right and then almost immediately to your left as you follow the
road round. Keep walking, follow this road until on your left you see a
big wall about fifteen feet high between you and the sea. The naturist
beach is behind this, scramble up the bank just before the wall and Bingo!
you are there.
From Brighton station go out of the main entrance and find the 'bus stop that has the number 6 stop there. Ask the driver that as you are going along "New Church Road", he gives you a shout to get off at the nearest stop to go down to Hove Lagoon on the seafront road. Church Road runs parallel with the seafront road. The fare is a flat central fare of 70p. When you get off this 'bus you can see the sea down the first road to your left - when you cross the road you should be opposite Hove lagoon - follow instructions given above.
Description
Once on the seaward side of the wall one becomes totally unaware of the
busy port behind. In front you is the sea and behind you the high wall
shuts out most of the noise and all of the dust. However there is no wind
protection from West or East and a wind break may be useful. The pebble
beach is a drawback and sand is only exposed at low tide so you will also
need tough soled shoes and perhaps a rubber mat to sit or lie on. The West
(far) end of the beach was mostly gay, but changes to the parking
arrangements are reported to have altered the distribution of beach users
with the couples and families now setting up centrally around a gap in the
concrete wall and single and single sex couples to the extreme east and
west of the beach. The launching of jet skis has also been made easier so
watch out for these as they often come in close to have a gawp. There are
a very wide range of ages, and basically, like Brighton & Hove as
towns, it's a relaxed and friendly place. Generally people are left to
themselves, without interference. At least one (clothed) University
student uses it as a place where she can study in peace without the
constant interruption and "chat-up" that she experiences
elsewhere. There are no dunes or other hideaways which can be a focus for
inappropriate activities and consequently one potential source of
aggravation and disturbance is missing. The area is enclosed by the mouth
of Shoreham Harbour to the West and private beaches of Hove Seaside Villas
to the East, thus it is not on a route from somewhere to somewhere.
Furthermore, trudging along a pebble beach has few attractions so there
are few excuses for the passing "gawper" or for Mrs Grundy who
is looking to be shocked. Unlike the human zoo 3 miles up the road at
Brighton, there are no men with binoculars. Don't worry about the Brighton
Police helicopter overhead, it is on its way to or from its Shoreham base.
Facilities
There none on the beach itself but the pub by the mini-roundabout serves
bar food and there are toilets and a snack bar at the far end of the road
by the harbour mouth.
Water Quality
Has substantially improved now that the works by the Brighton Marina are
complete
Trip Report - August 2005
"I went yesterday, the 17th August. Absolutely idyllic - a few M/F couples, lots of middle aged, young, gay, straight single men who from their tans look as if they spend a lot of time there - very friendly and relaxed.Question: why is that some blokes will lie on a nudist beach all afternoon with their jeans on? One downside - since it was a fantastic day, all the parking spots were taken. One foolish soul had parked on the "double yellows" and was being clamped as I watched, so beware. The water was the warmest I've experienced swimming in England this year."
Trip Report - August 2005
"I went to Hove beach on a glorious hot day in July and as I was running late I didn't expect to get a parking spot. I was wrong, the parking bays were only two thirds full and it was afternoon on a Sunday. Very odd. On the beach heaps of rubbish everywhere (since been partly cleared). Not many people there despite the ideal weather but began to get an inkling why. 95% males in couples or alone and strung out along the beach, just a small handful of mixed sex couples there and sitting behind one such pair was Mr. Masturbator doing his thing. Nobody taking the least bit of notice. I found a clear spot without much trouble and enjoyed a few hours of sun and sea but felt a very definite change in ambience since a couple of years ago.
The following weekend I went back to the same spot. Equally nice weather. This time the disturbance was due to a big guy deciding to do a video shoot of the young pretty and nude blonde escorting him. I feared it might go porno as they seemed to get braver after a little while and I was really quite close. In the event after posing here and there and wandering about a lot they settled down again. However it was time to go and so I left them to it. It struck me on the way home that I had always considered this a naturist beach but actually its just a beach that naturists use. Others might use it, and do, for other naked pursuits and have no interest at all in naturism. It did worry me a little since I saw at least one family on the beach with children and non naturists beach goers not so far away. As for me I can live with it and have no other real local option so will continue to go."
Trip Report - August 2005
"I visited this beach on about 10 occasions in 2005 from August onwards, having had my first experience of naturism in Fuenteventura in the summer. There seems to be a bevy of regulars who visit the beach and congregate in the centre under the high wall. I felt very comfortable in this section, which is populated by genuine naturists of both sexes, although markedly more men than women.
However there seem to be a few oddballs at either end of the beach who perhaps have other motivations. They are not a nuisance. I felt comfortable strolling up and down the beach and chatting to a number of people there. Considering that this beach is rather out of the way, there are more clothed people than I expected taking a stroll along the beach, but they all seem to be very friendly. The sea was acceptably warm, but at times is rather rough. Beach shoes are essential because of the pebbly nature of the beach."
Trip Report - May 2005
This beach has to be far better than the one at Black Rock (Brighton). Although on foot it is a [long] walk as the beach is offroad due to the Shoreham Port, car users can park directly behind it and there is a huge wall covering you from view of Port workers and the odd passers by.
I like it here because there is a steady and regular die-hard crowd of regulars. It is always quite busy and very friendly here. Being a 32Y/O male I find it refreshing to find a huge variation in naturists here off all ages!! The beach is a long stretch and is very favoured by friendly locals over 45. You will find a mixture of couples, both straight and gay, young and old not to forget those die-hards sat in the middle that seem to spend the entire summer here. Unfortunately to the very far East of the beach at the end where the rocks are, there are men, straight or gay that seem to be hanging around these rocks. However the beach is long enough to occupy yourself away from these me! (they are no bother as they don't venture away from the rocks..) The sea is warm and many go out to swim. I recommend it heartily, though do take your litter home with you!
Trip Report - August 2004
"In superb early-August weather, I visited this beach by walking from Hove station. The approach feels like one is trespassing through an industrial estate, however this affords the beach added privacy and ensures that the only folk to use it are genuine naturists. I found the beach absolutely packed with between 85-90 naturists in a smallish stretch (the tide was high) and encouragingly lone females, groups and couples outnumbered the usually dominant lone males.
The surface itself is of large uncompromising pebbles, which resemble hot coles once the sun has been on them. Even laying on two doubled-over towels, I was still very uncomfortable so a mat and sandals are essential! The water was clear (small amounts of drifting seaweed) and gloriously warm, excellent swimming conditions overall.
Only blemish on an otherwise perfect day was a chap in his late 60s wearing a white towel and black baseball cap, patrolling the beach and plonking himself immediately beside the nearest couple before staring and pleasuring himself. Potential visitors should note that this appears to be an uncommon occurence, according to two locals I spoke to. Otherwise, this is an excellent naturist beach! "
Trip Report - July 2004
"[I] have been using the beach now for a couple of years, a varied collection of users from the occassional couple both mixed and single sex, several groups of "die hards" whom are there day in and out in all weathers, plenty of single men and, I would say, an increasing number of gays... who inhabit the rock sea defences at the east of the beach,
Most folk keep to themselves, the regulars sit and chat in groups, you do get the shore walkers out for a look at what is about but them do not bother the sunbathers. Tends to be the older generation that use the beach (50+). On a hot day - yes we did have a couple in the middle of June - it is blis. On a windy day seek shelter from the few timber groins or take a shelter with you. All pebbles unless the tide is well out so shoes [are] essential."
Trip Report - August 2003
"I work in this area so get the chance to visit this beach when I'm
on night shift. The beach seems to be going well, I see the same crowd
down there on my infrequent visits. I would say that access to the beach
can be pretty difficult except for the able bodied. Anyone put off by the
access at the ladder should walk up to the area between the speed bumps in
the main road, after scrambling up the bank, there is only a small wall to
negotiate before getting onto the beach.
Trip Report - August 2003
"Sadly my experience of this beach was disappointing .
It started in the car park, with men in their cars approaching you as
soon as you left your vehicle. It was then spoilt further by the constant
approaches of the gays who were patrolling up and down.. assuming that any
single male in the nude must also be gay and therefore available. How
rewarding it would be to enjoy being naked and at one with the world free
from hassle and everyday pressure. Oh, and the beach. It would be perfect
if not for the points mentioned above.
Perhaps I was unlucky on the day I was there and other correspondents are
right about the wind."
There are a few "lurkers" about but who cares? At least it is a bit more private than the horrible "official" beach at Brighton."
Trip Report - August 2002
"First time there. On arrival we were suprised to see so few people
using the beach which instantly made my wife and myself at ease because we
had plenty of space to ourselves. Definetely worth taking a wind-break
although when we visited we had forgot ours.The beach seemed relatively
clean and free from passers by, although the odd person was spotted
peering over the wall for something or other who knows?
Will definately be going again hopefully the sun will stay out this time, we were both very comfortable with the surroundings and hope that nothing changes. There did not seem to be any building activities going on within sight of the beach."
12/7/99 Trip Report
"My wife and I spent a glorious day on Hove naturist beach today.
Such a great beach and no problems with the occasional voyeur. Once we had
found it (IMO, no mean feat), made the most of the great weather and will
undoubtedly be back this week if the weather holds up."
Trip Report
"Shoreham naturist beach is very stony until low tide uncovers the
sand. The water is very clean but check for oil patches before you lay
your towels down, just in case. The ice-cream man visits from time to
time. Carrying a cold-box he does miniature choc-ices for fifty pence. OK
they are from a "Iceland" or "Bejam" family pack but
he is a pensioner trying to make a few bob, so what, I always buy one. At
the lagoon there are toilets, a cafe that does an all-day breakfast,
bucket of chips (yes, it's in a plastic bucket and you get to keep it!)
The Adur pub at the north-west top corner does a good pint and good food."
May 2001 - Development Plans May Threaten Beach
(information kindly supplied by Steve Barker)
It is possible that building development and the proposed construction of
marina facilities near the beach may pose a threat to its continued use
for naturism:
"At present the beach would be almost deserted if not for the
naturists. I have to say that the tolerance to the naturists may change
when high density housing is put a few yards away from it and a state of
the art harbour facility placed to the west. The sheer number of vehicles,
contractors and other development associated traffic and people are going
to impact anyway on the enjoyment of the beach. There is just one road in
and out. The other way to the beach, across the locks at Southwick, has
been under threat but I believe a local outcry has reprieved this.
I have spoken to people who have travelled for hours to get to Shoreham,
it would be a disappointment if they find things have changed for the
worse. Hopefully this wont be for a while."
Trip Report June 2001
- - information about new car parking arrangements incorporated above --
"Water quality this trip was fair; the faint smell of diesel has
gone but plenty of seaweed and algae breaking down in the water following
choppy seas. This is usual for sussex at this time of year. Water
temperature 'refreshing', wind brisk and overall impression - brilliant."
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