Things to do

Designer outlet shopping on the waterfront with both plenty of restaurants, bars, Vue Cinema and bowling – Gunwharf is also home to Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. If you’re a sucker for a good view, you’ll want to check out this Portsmouth hotspot.

Often holds food and drink festivals outside the Guildhall steps and there is an ice rink in the winter. The Guildhall itself hosts a variety of big-name concerts and events. You will also find the New Theatre Royal in the area. A small but beautiful Victorian theatre that puts on an array of productions, comedy and experiences throughout the year. The Guildhall is next to Commercial Road (a large shopping precinct) and Portsmouth and Southsea Train Station.

If you have walked the seafront, you will eventually come across Canoe Lake, which is just across the road from the beach. This is a green area with a lake in the middle that’s home to swan pedalo boats and sometimes Zorbing. The shallow waters of the lake make it a great place for kids to have a go at crabbing! There is also a children’s play park with a zipwire and water area, tennis courts and a café on site.

As the name would suggest, it’s the oldest part of Portsmouth also known as Spice Island, as it was where all the spices used to enter the city. This area houses many historic buildings and waterfront pubs which serve food. Home to the Square Tower, the Round Tower and the Hot Walls (a sun trap great for sunbathing!). The Hot Walls are also where artists used to showcase their
work in the 1800s and have now been transformed into art studios and The Canteen – a café with a deck that boasts stunning views across the Solent.

A spacious grassy common just opposite the seafront where you’ll find a skate park, historic monuments, a tea room and a playground. A great place for a picnic or a BBQ in warmer months or kite flying in windier weather!

On the beach there are plenty of food huts, cafe and things to do. From a funfair to catching a hovercraft over to the Isle of Wight.

A small but quirky road with a bohemian vibe and plenty of character popular with locals. Here you’ll find interesting curiosity shops and vintage or food market are often held here. There are a couple of great bars and places to eat. I can recommend Pie and Vinyl where you can browse records and stop for a delicious pie and a botanical beverage served in a teapot! The road leads to the west side of Southsea common and is certainly worth a wander.

Home to Southsea shopping precinct which is smaller and more laid back than the main city centre with some nice coffee shops and eateries. The ‘Love Southsea’ market takes place here the first weekend of every month and the ‘Farmers’ market’ takes place every third Sunday of the month. There are some great restaurants and bars on the other side of the precinct and on Osborne Road, which is the main road running through it.

A vibrant road with an eclectic mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants and home to the iconic Wedgewood Rooms, where many famous bands have played in their early days. You can also go to watch comedy on a Friday evening.

There is also the Kings Theatre, a fantastic Grade II Victorian theatre where you can take in a show or join a tour of the theatre, although you’ll need to check which days the tours are running.