The Solent Forum

Working in partnership for the future

Landscape and Seascape

The Solent provides a diverse and dramatic range of landscapes and seascapes. Its character is a product of the interplay between three elements, which can be described as follows:

a. The mainland coast of Hampshire and Chichester Harbour, including:

b. The north coast of the Isle of Wight including:

c. The open Solent seascape, punctuated only by navigation buoys and marks, and the East Solent forts.

The constant but varied pattern of marine related activity is an intrinsic part of the character of the system, including major shipping movements (particularly in the East) and recreational craft cruising and racing in various numbers throughout the year.

The Marine Management Organisation have published a Seacape Character Assessment for the South Marine Plan Area.