HMS Victoria

The wreck of HMS Victoria lies in the Solent off Lee-on-the-Solent, and it's one of those historical sites that demands a bit of detective work to actually experience properly. This Victorian ironclad sank in 1893 after a catastrophic collision with HMS Camperdown during naval manoeuvres - a disaster that killed over 350 men and shocked the nation. You won't find a visitor centre or guided tours here; this is a dive site, plain and simple. The wreck sits about 40 metres down, and only serious divers with proper qualifications and local knowledge should attempt it.

For the rest of us, the real story plays out on land. Lee-on-the-Solent itself has naval heritage oozing from every corner, and there's a small naval museum worth an afternoon if you're genuinely interested in Victorian maritime disasters. The town seafront offers good views across the water where she went down, which is frankly more atmospheric than you'd expect from a Hampshire coastal town.

If you're caravan-based at Kingfisher Caravan Park or one of the other holiday parks dotted along this stretch, it's a worthwhile cultural detour - though you'll need proper diving credentials and a local operator to see the wreck itself. For families and casual historians, Lee-on-the-Solent's museums and seafront memorial are the practical alternative. Allow a few hours if you're making a day of the naval history angle.