THE MILD temperatures may be lingering longer than hoped, but with the 'stay at home' message and travel restrictions loosened, a trip to the seaside is the perfect antidote to cabin fever.

While in Andover, coastal scenes may seem very distant, beautiful beaches really aren't that far away.

Here are just six stunning Hampshire beaches to pay a visit to ...

Hayling Island

Approx. 54 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Hayling Island beaches [Credit: Visit Hampshire]Hayling Island beaches [Credit: Visit Hampshire]

Situated between Portsmouth and Chichester, Hayling Island is popular because it offers all the attractions of a traditional seaside daytrip with excellent sporting and leisure facilities. 

It boasts five miles of unspoilt coastline for peaceful walks by the sea, but can also be enjoyed by those with a more active goal, with many opportunities for sailing and windsurfing.

Originally dependent on fishing, farming and salt production, Hayling Island is now known for its Funland amusement park and holiday centres, which made the island a popular seaside resort from the 1930s onwards. It also features several momentos of wartime history for keen historians.

Milford-on-sea

Approx. 51 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Milford-on-sea [Credit: Visit Hampshire]Milford-on-sea [Credit: Visit Hampshire]

The New Forest's Milford-on-Sea is popular with windsurfers, kite surfers, kayakers, paddle boarders, and swimmers alike.

The stunning beach runs south to renowned Hust Castle - which is around 1.5 miles walk away or you can catch a boat taxi from the coastal path - and the village itself offers for a quaint shopping experience. 

Lepe Beach

Approx. 42 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Lepe Beach [Credit: Visit Hampshire]Lepe Beach [Credit: Visit Hampshire]

As part of the gorgeous Lepe Country Park near Southampton - which is now back open following step two of lockdown easing - this long stretch of pebbly beach offers views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Once again, this site has somethign for everyone, from peaceful walks, to surfing.

Dogs are welcome in the country park, but not on the family beach between April and September. However, there is an alternative coastal path so everyone can enjoy the seaside atmosphere. 

Hill Head Beach

Approx. 41 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Hill Head Beach [Credit: TripAdvisor]Hill Head Beach [Credit: TripAdvisor]

Another popular spot for Watersports, this beach near Fareham is a long stretch of shingle coastline, with an accessible tarmac walkway.

To the western end of the beach is a small harbour, and just beyond is the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, which is home to a vast array of birdlife.

Although the main beach is not open to dogs between May and September, a smaller area of beach close to car parking is open year-round, and dogs are also welcome along the promenade when on a lead.

Southsea Beach

Approx. 50 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Southsea Beach [Credit: Visit Portsmouth]Southsea Beach [Credit: Visit Portsmouth]

Southsea became a fashionable destination for bathing and other seaside leisure activities in the early 19th century, and remains a very popular holiday destination in the area. 

The beach itself is made up mainly of flinty shingle, although a stretch of sand is exposed at low tide.

Additionally, it is situated less than a mile from Portsmouth city centre, with its many shops, restaurants and bars.

Calshot Beach

Approx. 44 miles away

Andover Advertiser: Calshot Beach [Credit: TripAdvisor]Calshot Beach [Credit: TripAdvisor]

Close by to Lepe, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Calshot Spit is a shingle beach lined with brightly coloured beach huts.

It is home to one of the south's biggest outdoors centres which offering sailing, rock climbing, a velodrome and indoor skiing.

And on certain days you can see some of the world's biggest cruise ships, tankers and cargo ships close-up as they enter and leave the port of Southampton, one of the UK's biggest ports.