Enjoying Our Coast
The Solent Coast is a popular recreational location for local day visitors and tourists from further a field. It is a unique region due to its history, natural scenery and coastal waters. Infact it is also one of the most interesting coastal zones in England:
- It has a unique environmental and landscape setting, being an almost enclosed area of sea between the mainland and a large island;
- It is of international significance for wildlife, being one of the most important sites on the bird migration routes from the Arctic to Africa;
- It has a variety of views with a range of coastal landscapes including ancient fossil cliffs, heritage coast and areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as the built environment offering examples of both old and new architecture;
- It has the UK's number one cruise port and one of the UK's main commerical ports at Southampton;
- It is the premier area for recreational boating in the UK
- It is an area rich in archaeology both marine and terrestrial;
- It has an important place in aviation history especially in the development of flying boat services;
- It has the largest native oyster fishery in the UK.
