Calshot Activities Centre

Calshot's naval air station opened in 1913, and three hangars from 1918 still stand: Schneider, Sopwith and Sunderland. They now house the centre, which the county council took over in 1964; Prince Philip opened the activities centre in 1965.

Inside The Hangar you will find:

• A 1,200 square metre climbing facility with 250+ routes, 14 m roped walls, 12 auto-belays and a dedicated bouldering wall
• Dry-slope skiing and snowboarding, plus ringos
• Action-adventure activities including a zip wire

The centre also holds The Track, an indoor banked velodrome measuring 142 m around with banking up to 45 degrees, described as the only indoor banked velodrome in the south of England. Even for non-cyclists it is a striking thing to see tucked under a hangar roof.

The Lagoon gives access to both sheltered and more challenging water, directly accessible from the centre. Sailing is taught here at a recognised centre, and the activity list also covers paddlesports, windsurfing, kitesurfing, winging and powerboating.

The site sits right on the Solent with views across to the Isle of Wight and beaches close by. Large ships pass through the channel, and that view is a real part of the visit. Calshot Castle and Calshot Beach are neighbours on the same spit if you want a short walk afterwards.

This is a historically significant site with uneven surfaces throughout, so take care and wear sensible footwear. The Hangar is largely accessible to wheelchair users, with an accessible toilet and shower, parking, and wheelchair access to the Cafe Bar. Not every outdoor surface is level or smooth. Parking is paid and ANPR-controlled.

This is a working activity centre rather than a walk-through attraction. Casual visitors can take in the hangars, the cafe and the Solent outlook, but the full experience depends on booking a programmed session, and what is available varies with the timetable.