
Hurst Road is situated immediately within the Western Solent, close north of Hurst Point, outside and on the approaches to the entrance to Keyhaven. It offers an easily accessible and convenient anchorage just off the beach.
Situated in an open roadstead Hurst Road makes for a tolerable anchorage in moderate westerly component conditions. Access is straightforward as there are no outlying dangers and the water shoals predictably.
Keyfacts for Hurst Road
Last modified
May 21st 2025 Summary
A tolerable location with straightforward access.Best time to enter or exit
The Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to SouthamptonFacilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
This is about 100 metres off the beach northward of Hurst Point Light.
What is the initial fix?
The following Keyhaven Initial fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Refer to Western Approaches to the Solent
for appropriate navigational guidance.
- Beware of the shallows extending from Pennington Marsh when approaching from the east.
- Beware of the Trap when approaching from the west.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Hurst Road for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Keyhaven - 0.3 nautical miles NW
- Totland Bay - 1.7 nautical miles S
- Yarmouth - 1.8 nautical miles E
- Alum Bay - 2.6 nautical miles SSW
- Lymington Yacht Haven - 2.7 nautical miles NNE
- Lymington Harbour - 2.8 nautical miles NNE
- Freshwater Bay - 2.9 nautical miles SSE
- Berthon Lymington Marina - 2.9 nautical miles NNE
- Scratchell's Bay - 3.2 nautical miles SSW
- Newtown River Entrance - 5.3 nautical miles ENE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Keyhaven - 0.3 miles NW
- Totland Bay - 1.7 miles S
- Yarmouth - 1.8 miles E
- Alum Bay - 2.6 miles SSW
- Lymington Yacht Haven - 2.7 miles NNE
- Lymington Harbour - 2.8 miles NNE
- Freshwater Bay - 2.9 miles SSE
- Berthon Lymington Marina - 2.9 miles NNE
- Scratchell's Bay - 3.2 miles SSW
- Newtown River Entrance - 5.3 miles ENE
What's the story here?

Image: Michael Harpur
Hurst Road is located outside and along the approaches to Keyhaven, near the ruins of an old pier set into the beach at the foot of Hurst lighthouse. It is an open roadstead positioned just inside the entrance to the western Solent.

Image: Michael Harpur
The anchorage is a practical and often overlooked spot to anchor and await a sufficient rise in the tide to access Keyhaven. Similarly, it is a good location to await a favourable tide to exit the Western Solent.
How to get in?

Image: Neil Howard via CC BY-NC 2.0

Image: Michael Harpur
Beware of the Trap when passing close to Hurst Point, which is very much in the path of vessels swinging in for anchorage. It is a small spit of sand and gravel formed at the southern extremity of Hurst Point by a strong eddy tide on the ebb. The Trap varies considerably in height and extent, but it is possible to ground on it and, at the very least, it causes rougher water immediately south of Hurst Castle. Beyond the Trap, keep an eye on the sounder, as the deep waters of the Solent shoal quickly once Hurst Light is passed abeam.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
From there, steer towards the tower, keeping an eye towards the sounder as a finger with depths of 1.6 -1.7 LAT will be crossed on the final approaches before the deeper water channel will be found off the beach. Be careful when operating close to the shoreline because it shelves abruptly off the beach.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
Shallow-draft vessels can anchor further north and close southwest of the alignment track for the approach to Keyhaven, particularly during neap tides. Land by tender on the shale beach.
Why visit here?
Hurst Point derives its name from the Old English word "hyrst," which signified a wooded hill, grove, or occasionally a sandbank or hillock. This term was frequently used across southern England to describe prominent landscape features—often an elevated area, sometimes wooded, standing out from flat or marshy surroundings. For Hurst Point, the name likely refers to the spit's distinct prominence as a landform projecting into the sea at the western end of the Solent, highlighting its elevation and clear separation from the surrounding low-lying marshes.
Image: Michael Harpur
The Hurst Spit was largely uninhabited and undeveloped before Hurst Castle was constructed (1541–1544). The decision to build a major artillery fort at this remote location fundamentally changed the character and use of the spit and its immediate surroundings.

Image: Just another Caulkhead via CC BY-SA 2.0
While the historic Hurst Castle stands as the most prominent landmark, the Hurst Point Lighthouse, operational since 1867, is equally significant to the anchorage. The lighthouse's story began in 1786 with the construction of the first lighthouse, Hurst Tower. It displayed a fixed white light and was intended to complement the lights at St Catherine's Down and The Needles. However, its visibility was limited from certain angles, which led to the addition of a "High Light" in 1812. Both towers then functioned as leading lights, guiding vessels through the challenging Needles Channel. The mid-19th century expansion of Hurst Castle in the 1860s necessitated new lighting arrangements. A new "Low Light" was built in 1865, followed by the existing "High Light" (the main lighthouse that we see today) in 1867. The Low Light was decommissioned in 1997 after a high-intensity sector light was installed in the main lighthouse.

Image: Michael Harpur
Adjacent to the lighthouse on the beach are the visible skeletal remains of an old pier. This pier was crucial for supplying Hurst Castle and supporting its isolated garrison, particularly in transporting heavy provisions, artillery, and personnel. Indeed, for centuries, the pier served as the primary logistical artery to the castle.

Image: Michael Harpur
During periods of heightened military activity, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, the pier underwent further development to accommodate increased traffic and heavier loads, including ammunition and construction materials for castle expansions. In the 1880s, a narrow-gauge railway was constructed from the pier to the castle, further integrating it into the site's logistical network and streamlining the transport of supplies. As military requirements evolved and the castle's strategic importance waned, the pier fell into disrepair. Nevertheless, its remains are still visible today, standing as a tangible testament to the site's rich historical significance.

Image: Peter Hurford via CC BY-SA 2.0
The lighthouse welcomes visitors, and within the adjacent Hurst Castle, referenced in the Keyhaven

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating point of view, Hurst Roads is a useful anchorage that is frequently overlooked. It is an open roadstead where yachts can sometimes turn sideways and roll; however, apart from that, it is an excellent berth with very good holding. Most importantly, it offers the advantage of free and easy access or exit at any tide stage.

Image: Michael Harpur
This has made it an ideal lunch stop, where many local boaters find it the perfect spot to watch races entering or exiting the Solent. Additionally, it is a very convenient location from which to visit Hurst Castle, a short walk down the beach. Visitors with larger vessels can anchor here instead of entering Keyhaven, thus entirely avoiding the complications of dealing with its shallow bar, the burden of securing moorings, and their associated fees.

Image: Michael Harpur
Finally, it provides an excellent tide wait area for yachts leaving the Solent via the Needles Channel or a late berth for those arriving who plan to reach their final destinations during daylight.
What facilities are available?
None except for what may be had as described in the Keyhaven entry.Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Keyhaven.With thanks to:
Alison MacFaden, Roy Plummer and Steve Wood Keyhaven River Wardens.About Hurst Road
Hurst Point derives its name from the Old English word "hyrst," which signified a wooded hill, grove, or occasionally a sandbank or hillock. This term was frequently used across southern England to describe prominent landscape features—often an elevated area, sometimes wooded, standing out from flat or marshy surroundings. For Hurst Point, the name likely refers to the spit's distinct prominence as a landform projecting into the sea at the western end of the Solent, highlighting its elevation and clear separation from the surrounding low-lying marshes.

Image: Michael Harpur
The Hurst Spit was largely uninhabited and undeveloped before Hurst Castle was constructed (1541–1544). The decision to build a major artillery fort at this remote location fundamentally changed the character and use of the spit and its immediate surroundings.

Image: Just another Caulkhead via CC BY-SA 2.0
While the historic Hurst Castle stands as the most prominent landmark, the Hurst Point Lighthouse, operational since 1867, is equally significant to the anchorage. The lighthouse's story began in 1786 with the construction of the first lighthouse, Hurst Tower. It displayed a fixed white light and was intended to complement the lights at St Catherine's Down and The Needles. However, its visibility was limited from certain angles, which led to the addition of a "High Light" in 1812. Both towers then functioned as leading lights, guiding vessels through the challenging Needles Channel. The mid-19th century expansion of Hurst Castle in the 1860s necessitated new lighting arrangements. A new "Low Light" was built in 1865, followed by the existing "High Light" (the main lighthouse that we see today) in 1867. The Low Light was decommissioned in 1997 after a high-intensity sector light was installed in the main lighthouse.

Image: Michael Harpur
Adjacent to the lighthouse on the beach are the visible skeletal remains of an old pier. This pier was crucial for supplying Hurst Castle and supporting its isolated garrison, particularly in transporting heavy provisions, artillery, and personnel. Indeed, for centuries, the pier served as the primary logistical artery to the castle.

Image: Michael Harpur
During periods of heightened military activity, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, the pier underwent further development to accommodate increased traffic and heavier loads, including ammunition and construction materials for castle expansions. In the 1880s, a narrow-gauge railway was constructed from the pier to the castle, further integrating it into the site's logistical network and streamlining the transport of supplies. As military requirements evolved and the castle's strategic importance waned, the pier fell into disrepair. Nevertheless, its remains are still visible today, standing as a tangible testament to the site's rich historical significance.

Image: Peter Hurford via CC BY-SA 2.0
The lighthouse welcomes visitors, and within the adjacent Hurst Castle, referenced in the Keyhaven

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating point of view, Hurst Roads is a useful anchorage that is frequently overlooked. It is an open roadstead where yachts can sometimes turn sideways and roll; however, apart from that, it is an excellent berth with very good holding. Most importantly, it offers the advantage of free and easy access or exit at any tide stage.

Image: Michael Harpur
This has made it an ideal lunch stop, where many local boaters find it the perfect spot to watch races entering or exiting the Solent. Additionally, it is a very convenient location from which to visit Hurst Castle, a short walk down the beach. Visitors with larger vessels can anchor here instead of entering Keyhaven, thus entirely avoiding the complications of dealing with its shallow bar, the burden of securing moorings, and their associated fees.

Image: Michael Harpur
Finally, it provides an excellent tide wait area for yachts leaving the Solent via the Needles Channel or a late berth for those arriving who plan to reach their final destinations during daylight.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Christchurch Bay - 4.2 miles WChristchurch Harbour - 5.3 miles W
Salterns Marina - 9.5 miles W
Parkstone Yacht Club - 9.7 miles W
Poole Quay Boat Haven - 10.3 miles W
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Keyhaven - 0.2 miles NWLymington Yacht Haven - 1.7 miles NNE
Berthon Lymington Marina - 1.8 miles NNE
Lymington Harbour - 1.7 miles NNE
Gull Island - 4.6 miles NE
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Hurst Road.

















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