Photo 1 (Return)

Southsea Esplanade and southern Portsea Island, 2001. A gravel beach fronts central and eastern parts of the island, but the frontage west of the castle (see foreground) is maintained largely by hard defences. The beaches and their backing defences perform important coastal defence functions for much of the resort is low-lying and would otherwise be threatened by flooding. The island originally comprised a gravel barrier beach fronting saltmarshes and creek systems before the latter were drained and reclaimed for development (especially "the Morass,"a large area landward of the pier and around the boating lake). Note the inlet to Langstone Harbour and Hayling Island in the distance.
(Photo: University of Portsmouth)