Horsea was originally 2 islands - Great and Little Horsea. The islands were joined in 1889 when a torpedo testing lake was constructed. In the early 1970s the tidal mudflats between the island and the mainland at Paulsgrove were reclaimed, so Horsea is really no longer an island. Some of the reclaimed area became a landfill site and the rest was developed as Port Solent. Port Solent is a marina, housing, cinema and retail complex. Most of the original island is inaccessible, as it is part of the naval base HMS Excellent.
Horsea Island
These geese want to know where the sea has gone!
They are standing on the area, which was previously tidal mudflats
 |
| Entrance to HMS Excellent base - end of the road for civilians |
HMS Excellent from the island's only 'hill'
Posh flats at Port Solent
Port Solent
Portchester Castle from HMS Excellent boundary
