Lee-on-the-Solent

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Map sources for Lee-on-the-Solent at grid reference SU5600

Lee-on-the-Solent, often referred to as Lee-on-Solent, is a small seaside town in Hampshire about five miles west of Portsmouth. The town gained its name from the river Lee - a small stream that flows from Peel Common into the Solent, which was originally used to name three hamlets along its length. Two of the hamlets, Lower Lee and Middle Lee, were to become Lee-on-the-Solent, while a third hamlet (known as Upper Lee) was to become Peel Common.

The town is located on the coast of the Solent and forms part of the borough of Gosport. It is primarily a sleepy residential area, with an upsurge of, mostly local, visitors in summer.

Lee is best known as being home to the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus (previously known as HMS Ariel). The station has been closed for several years, but remains in use for leisure gliding and as the base of a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.

Recently there has been debate and much controversy over plans for the Daedalus site. At one stage, there were suggestions that it would be used as a detention centre for asylum seekers, a move that was unpopular with local residents and was subsequently dropped. Channel 4 produced a documentary in 2004 dealing with the opposition to these plans.

In early May 2006, an unexploded pipe bomb was found under HMS Daedalus during runway repairs. 60 feet (20 metres) long, it was designed to detonate in the event of a Nazi invasion during The Second World War.

[edit] Places of interest

Lee-on-the-Solent is the home to the Hovercraft Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of rare Hovercraft, including some of the earliest and largest. It can be found on the main road along the seafront and hosts an open day every summer.

Further towards Gosport is the area known as Browndown. It is a former naval firing range and makes an interesting walk in summer. There are many old relics to explore, and it's not unknown to find large jellyfish washed up on the shore.

A short walk from the High Street in Lee is the Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis Club (known colloquially as the LOST Club). It is a popular spot with locals and features a small bar, a gym (with squash facilities) and four tennis courts.