Including Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier
Southsea Sea Front is in the East Hampshire and right on the coast. In the city of Portsmouth, Southsea Sea Front is a great place to go for a family day out.
To get to Southsea Sea Front, use the postcode PO5 2JH. You’ll know quite quickly when you have arrived as you’ll not only see the sea but also the Big Wheel and many of the other amusements that the seafront has to offer.
There is loads of places to park on the seafront. There is also a huge car park down at the Seafront The Esplanade, Clarence Esplanade , PO5 3AP. It has over 300 spaces and is right by Clarence Pier, the playground and the toilets.
Closer to the centre of the Seafront, there is the D-Day car park at PO5 3NT and the Pyramids car park at PO5 3ST.
The car park at Canoe Lake at PO4 0ST is a great as it’s right next to Southsea beach, Canoe Lake and model village.
If you are looking for more things to do in Portsmouth then have a look at:
The Best Free Things to do in Portsmouth
The Definitive Guide To Days Out in Hampshire
31 Family Days Out in Hampshire For All Ages
Free 20+ things to do in Hampshire
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Southsea seafront
There is loads to do on Southsea Seafront for families of all ages. It’s completely flat along the sea front so perfect if the kids want to go scootering or for a bike ride.
Walk along the seafront a bit more, towards Clarence Pier and you’ll come to the lighthouse and Henry 8th Fort that the kids can walk around. The fields this side are hilly but they are great to stand atop to watch the incoming ships come in.
Southsea beach
The beach is a shingle beach that slopes down towards the water. It runs for miles but the best parts are between the two piers. It’s great on a sunny day! Lay your blanket down and enjoy the soft waves that come in.
Things to do on Southsea Sea Front
There is loads to do along Southsea Sea Front. You could easily spend a day at the seafront having loads of fun! Our top things to do in Portsmouth along the seafront are:
Canoe Lake
Canoe Lake is a great day out for the whole family. There is loads of parking right next to the park. They have two amazing playgrounds that cater for kids of all ages and also have a splash park that is turned on during the summer months.
The lake instead welcomes anyone who wants to pond dip or use the gondolas that sail across the lake. We love to bring a picnic as there is so much green space for the kids to run around on and play games.
They have loads of places to eat if you’d prefer to buy something there. They have a small cafe that offers great small meals or a takeaway hub that offers burgers and chips with the normal snacks of ice creams and sweets.
Southsea Model Village
Southsea Model Village is right next to Canoe Lake. This model village is great for all ages. Explore all the mini castles, roads and twists and turns. They have a great cafe on site if you want to make this a day activity too. We normally pair this with Canoe Lake for the best day out.
South Parade Pier
South Parade Pier is really close to Canoe Lake. It starts off with indoor arcades that have all the classics that you’d expect. They have a takeaway on site and a great fish and chip restaurant that overlooks the beach.
The pier is also home to Kidz Island. This is perfect for younger kids who love fairground rides. The funfair is based on a band system and means that you can ride as many times as you like. They have everything from a mini rollercoaster to a train ride and slide.
Southsea Castle
Southsea Castle is based right on the seafront. While it does cost to go in, running around the outside of the fort is great fun for all the family. It’s really close to the D-Day Museum and overlooks like seafront.
There is so much green space around the castle that means you don’t have to go in it to experience how amazing it used to be.
D-Day Museum
Open all year round, let your kids run free in this amazing 19 acres of grass ramparts, underground tunnels and views.
Home to the over 350 guns that tell our history through the ages. Live firing takes place every day and professional actors recreate history and are happy to answer any questions you may have! Free guided tours are also available.
It’s right in the middle of the seafront and makes a great day out in it’s own right. It’s really interactive for the kids and really digs deep into what the war was like without it being scary for the kids.
Blue Reef Aquarium
Right on the seafront, Blue Reef Aquarium is full of underwater wildlife like you’ve never seen before. Walk under the tropical sea and truly experience the wonders that it has to offer us.
It isn’t huge but is great for a half day out. What we love the most is that their ticket includes the whole day so you can leave and return throughout the day as much as you want.
There is also a cafe on the side that is great for snacks and ice cream. We love the fish and chip takeaway that is there too. It does get busy though during the summer months.
Clarence Pier
Clarence Pier is one of the largest amusement parks on the coast. The pier has everything from amusements, rides and activities to keep the whole family amused. They also have an indoor adventure playground that is open all year around.
If you are looking for food, then they have load of takeaway options or a restaurant that offers fast food.
The pier runs on tokens. You buy as many as you want and normally they come in bundles. There are so many great rides including the Big Wheel, Log Flume and rollercoaster.
Just behind the pier is the crazy golf which is great fun for the whole family. There’s a great family pub next to the pier as well but we love buying off the small food stands that sell traditional fish and chips and donuts.
There’s loads of benches and of course the beach where you can sit and eat.
Southsea Common
Right next to Clarence Pier, Southsea Common is a huge area that is great for playing ball games and having a picnic. It has a great playground for smaller kids and is great for chilling out on after fun at the pier or a scooter down the seafront.
Old Portsmouth
If you keep walking through then past Clarence Pier you’ll come to Old Portsmouth. This is one of the oldest parts of the city where you can walk along the old walls.
There are loads of small staircases so it isn’t pushchair or wheelchair friendly but is a great place for the kids to explore and wander around.
Related Posts:
- A Huge Guide to the Best Beaches in Hampshire
- 51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families
- The Best Free Things to do in Portsmouth
Gunwharf Quays
Just a short walk from Old Portsmouth is Gunwharf Quays. It’s still on the seafront but just a ten minute walk away. It has loads of great shops and restaurants plus a cinema and bowling alley. Great for a rainy day by the seaside.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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