Goatee Beach Eling

Directions : Take A31 and M27 towards Southampton, turn right onto the M271 and at the end roundabout turn right towards Toton. You will drive up a ramp onto the main road by the Nissan Garage. Continue to first roundabout and turn left. Follow signs to Eling Tide Mill. On the left approaching the Tide Mill is a free car park and toilets. Park here and walk east (keep toilet on right hand side). Opposite car park is a sandy track between houses, this will lead directly to the venue.

Photo Interest : Good views of container ships and cranes working Eling Wharf, also at low tide the resulting mud flats are excellent for wading birds of all sorts. Best photographed in the evening as the light will then be behind you. The Tide Mill and Yacht Basin are also worth a few shots. The container ships are HUGE and you are fairly close so a wide angle zoom or similar is probably the best bet if you only want to carry one lens. Birds obviously require something longer.

Drawbacks : It is very muddy during Autumn and Winter. Boots should be considered. The edge of the beach is lumpy and slippery - watch your footing. There is little of no shelter from the rain and wind. I believe that this area is to be dredged to handle the new larger container ships in the near future. The current largest (photographed above) was allegedly towed out backwards, being unable to turn in the area.