Portsmouth & Southsea

Hilsea station is to the north of Portsea Island and Fratton station serves Southsea and Fratton — Portsmouth FC fans take note, this is the station you’ll need for local games at Fratton Park.

Fancy a road trip? The M27 is north of the city and leads you to the A3 and M3. Go west for Fareham, Southampton and Winchester, north for Guildford and South West London or east for Chichester. There are local ferry services that provide connections to Gosport, Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight.

Drinking and Dining

With pubs, restaurants and pit stops all over the city, you’re sure to find something to cater for your every need. The Briny and The Rocka are loved for their seafood, Sant Yago for tapas and cocktails, and MAYA’s Peruvian menu will have your mouth watering before you’ve walked through the door. If you’re looking for family favourites, then The Canteen and Gunwharf’s impressive list of chains will keep the kids (and parents) happy. And for special occasions then Michelin star Restaurant 27 in Southsea is a must, or Sunday brunch with live jazz at The Briny offers something a little different. If its harbourside views that you’re after, the Spice Island Inn dates to the 1700s, with its spice and smuggling history noted inside the venue. The Greene King-owned pub has plenty of outside space to enjoy food, drink and good company. The friendly Southsea Beach Café is the perfect mid-walk spot, catering to a range of dietary requirements and welcomes four-legged friends.

Shopping

Starting with the most famous shopping district in the area, Gunwharf Quays is a designer outlet village with over 90 stores and savings of up to 60% across brands from Balmain to Nike. It’s easy to access however you’re travelling: car, ferry, train or bus with a park-and-ride option too. Heading into the city centre, Commercial Road is Portsmouth’s high street with retailers such as Next, Primark and H&M and six main car parks. You can also enjoy lots of independent boutiques, like Package Free Larder or Southsea Bathing Hut. For Asian supermarkets — Indian, Japanese and Korean are some of the many cuisines catered for — head to Kingston Road.

Parks and Green Spaces

Dog walkers, rejoice. Portsmouth is home to plenty of green spaces to enjoy, and Portsdown Hill is the largest of them all. Boasting 30 hectares of rolling hills with impressive views across Hampshire and the Solent, this Site of Special Scientific Interest is just as popular with families as it is hikers. Young children have plenty of playgrounds to enjoy: Watersedge Park, Credenhill Play Area and Gunyard Road to name a few. Older kids will be skate or BMX pros in no time thanks to the skate facilities at Southsea Skate Park. For more traditional spaces, Gatcombe Gardens is rich in militant history and Canoe Lake dates to 1886.

Arts and Culture

Did you know Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth? Naturally, the city is packed with theatres, galleries, festivals and more, including the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum. For theatres in Portsmouth and Southsea, you’ll find Kings Theatre on Albert Road, New Theatre Royal or the Guildhall to name a few. Aspex Gallery displays contemporary arts and acts as a creative hub supporting emerging talent with exhibitions and events. Hotwalls Studios is your local artisan market where you can see masters at work as well as supporting by buying their crafts: pottery, textiles and jewellery. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard celebrates naval and maritime heritage including tours of the Victory, Warrior and view the remains of the Mary Rose..

May and August Bank Holidays are never dull with Mayfly and Victorious Festival on your doorstep. Mayfly is a one-day free mini festival of arts, music and poetry. Victorious Festival in August is a ticketed live music event held on Southsea Common and Castle Field boasting major international artists.

For more regular events, Love Southsea is a collection of street markets open on the first weekend of the month and Crafts in the Tower in Old Portsmouth is open every third Sunday of the month.

Whether you fancy spending your weekend abseiling or enjoying afternoon tea, the Spinnaker Tower hosts both. Either way, you’ll be taking in magnificent views of Hampshire and beyond, and can walk over the glass floor seeing the ground below.

As expected from a student city, there are a huge number of events celebrating diversity and culture. From Comic Con and LGBTQ+ Film Festival to Black History Month celebrations and Tattoo Fest; there really is something for everyone. Not forgetting a buzzing night life.

Sports and Leisure

With a facility for just about everything, learning a new favourite hobby is a walk in the park. From the classic favourites: football, tennis, swimming, athletics, golf and running to fencing, there’s a club for them all. Football fans can watch Portsmouth Football Club play at Fratton Park.

Local Community and Council

Portsmouth City Council have a variety of offices across Havant, Southsea and Portsmouth, all of which can be found here. Their website is user friendly and hosts information you or your family may need including help on changing schools, registry office services, refuge collection days and usual council support.

Their civic office can be found:
Portsmouth City Council,
Civic Offices,
Guildhall Square,
Portsmouth,
PO1 2AL

From tiny tots to graduates, Portsmouth and Southsea will see the next generation through every year of education, whatever or whoever they want to be when they grow up.
Find over 60 schools, including state, special and alternative and independent schools.
Private:

• Mayville High School
• Portsmouth Grammar School
• Portsmouth High School

An extensive list of state schools in Portsmouth can be found here.

Estate Agencies

Both well-known chains and independent or family-run estate agents can be found across the island: Chinneck Shaw, Reeds Rains, Fry and Kent, Lawson Rose, Fine & Country, among many more.

Suggested blog tags:

Portsmouth & Southsea, South Coast, Area Guide, Hampshire, The Waterfront City, Portsmouth places to eat, Things to do in Portsmouth, Schools in Portsmouth, Family activities Portsmouth.