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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 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, but is well known as home to the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus (previously known as HMS Ariel).

Contents 1 History 2 Modern times 3 Places of interest 4 References 5 External links

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.^[1]

From the 19th century onward, there were attempts to develop Lee-on-the-Solent as a resort. Early impetus came from Charles Edmund Newton Robinson, who persuaded his father, John Charles Robinson, art curator and collector, to fund the buying of land. Over the period 1884 to 1894, Marine Parade, a pier and a railway terminus were built. The railway service was discontinued in the 1930s and the pier, unrepaired after breaching in aid of coastal defence in World War II, was demolished in 1958.^[2]

In 1935 the Lee Tower complex was built on the seafront next to the old pier and railway station. Designed by architects Yates, Cook & Derbyshire, it comprised a v-shaped white building in Art Deco style housing a cinema and ballroom, with a 120-foot tower at the apex. It was demolished in 1971.^[3][4]

The Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus 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 20 unexploded pipe mines were found under HMS Daedalus during runway repairs. 60 feet (20 metres) long, they were left over from 265, packed with a total of 2,400lb of gelignite, planted in World War II to make the airfield unusable in the event of a Nazi invasion. The subsequent removal, thought to be the largest of its kind in peacetime Britain, led to the evacuation of some 900 homes staggered over a 5 week period.^[5]

Whilst Lee has a High Street which contains a number of shops it is in gradual decline. The once bustling shopping centre has slowly become a collection of restaurants and estate agents. This has come about since the number of retirement homes has drastically increased and the younger population have been pushed away. Lee is gradually losing its popularity as a holiday destination. This was not helped by the closure and the The Belle Vue Hotel after its planned expansion was halted by local objections, with its subsequent demolition and acquisition of the land to build apartments.

Large new developments in the Cherque Farm area of the town have been built, and further development will take place over the next few years.

With commanding views of the Solent and across the Isle of Wight, Lee seafront quite rightly was packed with families and people enjoying the beach nearly all year round. From Browndown right the way along as far as Hill Head in the west you would be hard pushed to find a spot to sit and enjoy yourself. Now it is rarely this busy, the seafront train has long since gone from the seafront with its station turned into a collection of beach huts, tucked away behind the car park near the location where the Lee Tower used to stand.

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. Browndown army camp was the setting for the television series Bad Lads Army. Browndown army camp is also used as a summer activity camp for young cadets from all over the country.

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 six tennis courts.

Lee is also home to many pubs such as the Old ship, Bunpenny, Wyvern and the Inn by the Sea.

Lee is also home to a Hovercraft museum and is home to many famous hovercrafts

• World Gazeteer entry
• Lee-on-the-Solent, old photos, Gosport.info

Coordinates: 50°48′N, 1°12′W