How Did The Solent Get Its Name?

The exact origins of the name Solent are lost in the mists of time, but it is thought that it may be a bird place-name reflecting the congregations of the Northern Gannet or Solan Goose around the coast.

Why is Lee-on-the-Solent called Lee-on-the-Solent?

History. The district gained its name in the 19th century, during attempts to develop the area into a seaside resort. The area had been referenced long before this, referred to as Lee and numerous variations, including Lebritan.

How deep is the sea in the Solent?

Depths range from 6 to 160 feet, with such elongated banks as the Varne and the Ridge greatly constricting shipping lanes. Because the English Channel, unlike the Irish or North seas, lay beyond the action of Pleistocene glaciers, superficial deposits are either very thin (three feet or less) or entirely absent.

Is the Solent a river or a sea?

The Solent River extended from west to east and swung round the eastern end of the Isle of Wight at a time when sea-level was low and the English Channel was dry. This river channel has a series of terraces which descend to about 40 metres below sea level at the east of the Isle of Wight.

What’s the Solent?

Solent. / (ˈsəʊlənt) / noun. the Solent a strait of the English Channel between the coast of Hampshire, on the English mainland, and the Isle of Wight. Width: up to 6 km (4 miles)

Is Gosport rough?

Gosport is the second most dangerous major town in Hampshire, and is the 33rd most dangerous overall out of Hampshire’s 268 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Gosport in 2021 was 82 crimes per 1,000 people.

Is Lee-on-the-Solent a town or a village?

Lee-on-the-Solent, often referred to as Lee-on-Solent, is a small seaside town in Hampshire, England about five miles (8 km) west of Portsmouth. With its fantasic location Lee-on-Solent has a great range of attractions including a great coastline which is extremely popular with watersport enthusiasts.

Are there any sharks in the Solent?

The Solent and Wight area has been highlighted as a shark and ray hotspot and provides a pupping ground for smoothhound, tope and possibly thresher shark. The area also provides a nursery ground for a number of other shark and ray species.

Can you swim across the Solent?

Swim routes
In the Western Solent the only practical cross Solent swim is from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay on the island. Here the distance is only just over a mile but the tide is critical, with only about a 30 min stand when the current is sufficiently low to allow the swim.

Are there tunnels under the Solent?

THE SOLENT TUNNEL – In boring at Stene Point, the depth of 150 feet has been reached, more than 90 of which is clay. They have now come upon sand, but are continuing the operations.

Why does the Solent have two tides?

700 million cubic metres of water weighs 700 million tonnes and creates a “tidal stream” as it enters, and then again as it leaves the Solent. This creates two “high waters” (“HW”) and two “low waters” (“LW”) per day, alternating approximately every 6 hours or so.

Which ship sank in the Solent?

The Mary Rose sank
What happened on that fateful day, 19th July 1545? The Mary Rose sank during the Battle of the Solent, a confrontation between French and English troops on the Isle of Wight, as well as a face-off between their respective fleets in the Solent between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

What sea creatures are in the Solent?

The Solent is a special place, with endless surprises just beneath its surface. There are vast seagrass meadows and intricate chalk reefs, as well as fascinating species like seahorses, thresher sharks, and cuttlefish. Our project Secrets of the Solent is shining a spotlight on this vibrant marine environment.

Who owns the Solent?

Clarenco LLP
Solent Forts, owned by Clarenco LLP, are looking for a buyer for their three Napoleonic Forts. These 19th century prime waterfront fortifications offer boutique accommodation comprising a total of 31 luxurious suites as well as numerous restaurant and function rooms.

What are the 3 forts in the Solent called?

Situated in the Solent are the four Solent Sea Forts. Spit Bank Fort, Horse Sand Fort, St Helens Fort and No Mans Land Fort, built to protect the maritime access to Spithead and the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.

Is the Solent rough?

When sailing within the Solent we do not experience rough seas however on occasions with strong wind against a spring tide in the deeper water we can get small steep waves which the majority of people find exciting with no ill effect.

Why is Gosport called Turktown?

Gosport is sometimes called Turk Town. It is believed it is because in 1850-51 ships from the Turkish navy were at anchor off the town. Some Turkish sailors died during that time and they were buried in Gosport.

Is Gosport posh?

Although there are houses for millionaires to live in here, overall house prices in Gosport are affordable making its high quality of life very accessible. As at February 2018 the average house price in Gosport was £213,121 compared to the national average of £242,176.

Will Gosport be underwater?

While one metre does not sound like a lot, the interactive map by Climate Central shows large parts of Portsmouth, Gosport and Hayling Island under water by 2090.

Why is Southsea called Southsea?

Southsea began as a fashionable 19th-century Victorian seaside resort named Croxton Town, after a Mr Croxton who owned the land. As the resort grew, it adopted the name of nearby Southsea Castle, a seafront fort constructed in 1544 to help defend the Solent and approaches to Portsmouth Harbour.

Is there a Banksy in Lee-on-Solent?

The latest in a series of Banksy lookalike murals has been spotted along a beach in Hampshire. The Shack, along Lee-on-Solent seafront, Gosport, is now the home to the newest addition in the portfolio of the street artist, Hendog.