Barton-on-Sea - Situated at the eastern end of Christchurch Bay, Barton on Sea has spectacular views over the Solent and the western end of the Isle of Wight and the “Needles”, with views to Hurst Castle to the east and Christchurch and Hengistbury Head in the west. The beach is mainly shingle and the normal ebb tide level is only about 1.5 metres below high tide level. The seawater quality is of a good standard and as with most coastal areas, is regularly monitored. There are only a few shops in Barton, which are along Marine Drive East and in Sea Road, but the visitor and the locals have a good choice of places to eat out. There is the Beachcomber, one of the few café's that opens 365 days per year and is open for breakfast, lunches, snacks etc., till mid evening. Next along is the Sea Cottage Tea Shop, open for morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas. Further along is the new Pebble Beach Restaurant and Bistro serving meals and “pub” lunches.  They also have visitor accommodation to let. About 400 metres further down Marine D rive is the Cliff House Hotel, virtually on the edge of the cliff top with good accommodation and serving “bar“ meals at lunchtime and dinner in the evening and lunch on Sundays.

The history of Barton can be traced back some 35 million years, to a period when crocodile type creatures roamed the area. This is confirmed by evidence unearthed by the constant erosion of the cliffface and analysed by geological scientists. Hunting, fishing and from time to time farming were the means of livelihood of our Germanic ancestors. One of their leaders gave his name to Beorma’s Farm at Barton. Barton appears twice in the “Doomsday {Domesday} Book” as Bermintune and Burmintune and Barton is derived from these old English names, therefore it is a unique place name. There are many towns and villages in Britain called partly or wholly Barton, but this means simply “a farm linked to a larger farm”. By 1405 Winchester College owned much of the western areas of Barton; so the college has some 25 documents in its collection relating to Barton. In 1588 local men were ordered to keep watch for the Spanish Armada of some 130 ships on its way to invade England, as it rounded the Isle of Wight. On sighting the Armada they would light beacons on the high ground. This would have signaled a call to arms, taking men away from their families to go to sea to defend their country. Others would have been among the men under Thomas Coales sent to guard the south coast. Much of the former Barton Court has now disappeared over the cliff, or had to be demolished for safety reasons. Additional coastline strengthening started in the late 1960’s and is continuing today with some success against sea erosion. Since then considerable sums have been spent on the toe and beach line, this has included piling and Dorset stone brought in to providing “strong points”. An advertisement in the official guide published in the early 1900’srefers to a 100 metre wide promenade at Barton on Sea. Today it is around 20 metres at its furthest points.