The Full Guide to Things to do in Portsmouth

Including country parks, indoor ideas and days out in Portsmouth

Table of Contents

If you are looking for things to do in Portsmouth this weekend or even during the kids holidays then this post is for you! We have everything you need to keep you amused while you are in Portsmouth from unusual things to do to free activities.

Portsmouth has everything to offer a family from the Royal Navy museum and HMS Victory to the Spinnaker Tower and country parks.

All these top attractions are great for families. We’ve added activities for all ages including walks, playgrounds, museums, funfairs and indoor ideas if it rains.

We’ve included the whole of Portsmouth including Fareham, Porchester and Hayling Island.

If you are looking for other things to do in Hampshire then have a look at:

51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families – This is our huge guide to free days out in Hampshire for the whole family.

31 Family Days Out in Hampshire For All Ages – Looking for epic days out for the whole family? Then have a look at our family days out here.

The Biggest List of Things to do in Basingstoke With Kids – We love Basingstoke! It has so much to do for the whole family.

The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids – Southampton is full of things to do for the whole family.

Things to do in Hampshire Guide

Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!

If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!

Have a look at our Things to do in Hampshire Guide here.

This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks. You get lifetime access to this spreadsheet, so any updates we do, you get them, all included in the price!

Animals and Zoos in Portsmouth

These are the best animals attractions in Portsmouth. If you are looking for more animal attractions then read our post here called The Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Hampshire.

Name	Description
Staunton Farm and Country Park Middle Park Way, Havant PO9 5HB	Staunton Country Park is home to a range of farm animals including pigs, sheep, ponies, and chickens. This is a huge farm that is based inside the country park that has loads of land for you to explore. You can also meet all the animals at certain times too!
Blue Reef Aquarium Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3PB	Right on Southsea Seafront, Blue Reef Aquarium is a great way for the whole family to explore the wonders of the sea. They have everything you need including a shark walk and rays and crabs. They have a great little splash park to overlooking the seafront in the summer months.

Beaches in Portsmouth

Being on the South coast, Portsmouth have loads of beaches that you can explore. Most are stony but all are fun to play on. If you are looking for more beaches in Hampshire then look at this post here.

Name	Description
Southsea Beach Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 9RG	Southsea beach is a long shingle beach with slopes down to the sea. At one end you have the fair and the other a big recreation area with green space and a huge canoe lake. There’s also plenty of parking and a playground and small water park on site.
West Hayling Hayling Island PO11 9HP	Mostly shingle with bits of sand, West Hayling is the home of windsurfing. Sheltered by the West Winner sand bank, you can walk a mile out to sea at low tide. There’s a big car park and a kiosk for snacks nearby plus plenty of toilets.
Eastney Portsmouth, PO4 9NB	A long and wide pebble beach, Eastney is a hidden gem between Southsea Castle and Fort Cumberland. In the summer months it’s a great place to cool off. Local facilities are near by. It’s a really popular spot for windsurfers and water sport so great for the kids to have a dip in the sea.
Stokes Bay Lifeboat Ln, Gosport PO12 2TR	Stokes Bay is a shingle beach with great views of the Isle of Wight. There’s a large grassy area right by the beach, with a place for barbecues or a picnic. There’s loads of parking along the beach and a cafe and toilets nearby.
Browndown Point Beach Solent Beach Path, Lee-on-the-Solent PO13 9LR	Looking over the Solent, Browndown Point is a sandy and single beach owned by the MOD. They do use it as a training ground from time to time but the public are welcome to explore it as well. It is a bit of a walk from the main car park where the toilets are.
Lee-on-Solent Beach Marine Parade E, Lee-on-the-Solent PO13 9LA	There’s always loads on at Lee-On-Solent. This is a shingle beach with a grassy area great for games and picnics. There’s a tarmac walkway right by the beach, perfect for bikes and scooters. When the tide is out you can go crabbing among the many rock pools.
Meon Shore Beach Fareham PO14 4HJ	Meon Shore is a shingle beach with a car park at one end. If you keep walking past the chalets then there is a fab spot with shingle and pebble that’s great for fossil or shell hunting.
Hill Head Beach Fareham PO14 3JT	Hill Head is a shingle beach with a tarmac walkway. It’s a great place to spot the boats coming in and out on the solent. There is a cafe nearby and Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, which is home to a vast array of birdlife.
Brownwich Beach Solent Way, Titchfield, Fareham SO31 9HG	Brownwich Beach is a great place to walk along and enjoy.
Titchfield Haven Beach Cliff Rd, Titchfield, Fareham PO14 4HL	Titchfield Haven Beach is a natural reserve that is great for the whole family.

Bowling in Portsmouth

Name	Description
Bowl Central Fareham Unit 4, Market Quay, 1 Vannes Parade, Fareham PO16 0BX	We love bowling! There is loads to do at Bowl Central.
Hollywood Bowl Portsmouth Portsmouth PO1 3TN	From bowling and amusements, Hollywood bowl has everything you need for a fun family day out.

Castles in Portsmouth

We love castles and there are so many great ones in Portsmouth. Read our guide on The Best Castles in Hampshire.

Name	Description
Titchfield Abbey Mill Lane, Titchfield, Hampshire, PO15 5RA	Titchfield Abbey is free to walk around. This old Tudor mansion is full of local history just waiting to be explored.
Alverstoke Motte Gosport PO13 8AB	The motte is a great place to visit for the whole family and is full of history!
Portchester Castle Church Lane, Portchester, Fareham PO16 9QW	One of our personal favourites, Portchester Castle is an old fortification built by Richard II. It’s like a palace inside and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there. Visiting the outside of the castle and inside the grounds are free. They have the best cafe on-site and encourage you to picnic with the family. Make sure you walk around the outside of the castle walls as the views of the Solent are eye-stopping.
Old Portsmouth Broad St, Old Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2JE	This old fort with cobbled streets is steeped in history. You can walk along the old walls starting from the pier in Southsea right down to Gunwharf Quays.
Southsea Castle Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3PA	Built-in 1544, Southsea Castle was once a fort that protected the city. Entering the castle gives you amazing views of the coast and a real insight into castle life. The grounds that surround the castle are stunning, great for picnics or a runaround. Parking can be found throughout the city.
Saint Mary’s Church Fratton Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth PO1 5PA	This amazing church stands tall and was designed just over 100 years ago. Walk around these old halls and really explore the church and its grounds.
Stansted Park Stansted House, Rowland’s Castle PO9 6DX	With almost 2000 acres of land, this stately home sits without the South Downs National Park. Make sure you explore the walls and grounds which are perfect for the whole family. The grounds are full of wildlife and home to many local creatures.

Cinemas and theatres in Portsmouth

Name	Postcode
Vue Portsmouth	Gunwharf Rd, Portsmouth PO1 3TA
Portsmouth Guildhall	Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AB
The New Theatre Royal	New Theatre Royal, 20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth PO1 2DD
Groundlings Theatre	42 Kent St, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3BS
Kings Theatre	24 Albert Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 2QJ
No.6 Cinema	Boathouse 6, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

Climbing in Portsmouth

Name	Description
Rock Up Whiteley Whiteley Shopping Centre, Whiteley Wy., Whiteley, Fareham PO15 7PD	Rock Up Whiteley is a great place to visit for the whole family. It has loads of climbing equipment, a great cafe and a soft play for the younger kids.
Clip ‘N Climb Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre, Alexandra Park, Alex Way, Hilsea, Portsmouth PO2 9QA	Clip ‘n Climb Portsmouth is great for the whole family. They have loads of walls for all abilities.
Action Stations 19 College Rd, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ	Action Stations is a great way for your family to find out if they could be a Royal Marine.

Country Parks in Portsmouth

We’ve included all the local county parks in Portsmouth. Enjoy a day out with the whole family. If you are looking for more country parks throughout Hampshire then see this post here.

Name	Description
Titchfield Haven Country Park Cliff Road, Fareham PO14 3JT	This little country park is has parking on-site with a small cafe and toilets. Enjoy the long grass, the lake and the tall trees that are great to spot wildlife.
The Alver Valley Country Park Cherque Way, Lee-on-the-Solent PO13 8BH	Full of lovely wildflowers and sweeping trees, this country park has a great playground. Take a walk and see how much of the local wildlife you can see. It is a bit stony but great for walks with the whole family.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park Gravel Hill, Horndean PO8 0QE	This country park lies within the South Downs National Park. It offers loads of family fun into loads of walks, cycle paths and playgrounds. Car parking charges do apply but it’s a great day out for the whole family.
Staunton Country Park Middle Park Way, Havant PO9 5HB	We love Staunton Country Park! It has walking trails which are great for the whole family, a farm to explore and a play park.

Crazy Golf in Portsmouth

Name	Description
Treasure Island Adventure Golf Long Curtain Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3AA	This is an amazing mini golf course that is great for all ages.
Zingers Adventure Golf The Bridge Shopping Centre, Somers Rd N, Portsmouth PO1 1SL	This is an inside adventure golf center that is like nothing else around!
Southsea Mini Golf Unnamed Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4	Right on the seafront, Southsea Mini Golf is a great way to have fun while looking at the beach.

Museums in Portsmouth

These are the best museums in Hampshire. Read our 51 Museums in Hampshire That Are Great For All Ages.

Name	Description
Portsmouth City Museum FREE Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ	Reminiscent of a fairy tale castle, with turrets and pointed roofs, Portsmouth City museum may look like something out of a story but it’s actually a former barracks. It’s a great place to visit to get an idea of what it was like to live in the city and how things have changed over the years. It’s open daily from 10am to 530pm.
D-Day Museum and Overload Embroidery Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, PO5 3NT	This is a great museum for the whole family that walks you through what happened during the World War and gives you a real insight into what life was like. This is right on the seafront and is paired great with a walk on the beach.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum Haslar, Jetty Road, Gosport PO12 2AS	Royal Navy Submarine Museum is great for the whole family. You can spend the whole day here exploring what the museum has to offer.
Portsmouth Natural History Museum A288, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 9RF	This free museum houses a huge butterfly collection and walks you through the history of the city. This is a great rainy day venue!
Royal Armouries Fort Nelson FREE Portsdown Hill Rd, Portchester, Portsmouth, Fareham PO17 6AN	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.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ	Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is right on the Portsmouth seafront, just along from Gunwharf Quays. It’s a full day of fun and adventure for the whole family. The dockyard features HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose museum, and everything you need to know about Lord Nelson. This is a fully interactive attraction that fully shows the best of the British Navy.
Little Woodham Living History Village Grange Farm House, Barrington Cl, Howe Rd, Gosport PO13 8NZ	Little Woodham is a 17th century village that’s surrounded by woodland. You get to meet all the villagers who you would expect to see in a 17th century village including a seamstress, cooks, blacksmith and farmers. There is a charge to enter the village but they do take card. Parking is free and the toilets are near the car park. Take a packed lunch as they have a little tuck shop but that’s it when it comes to food and drink.
Charles Dickins Museum 393 Old Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4QL	Charles Dickins Museum (Portsmouth) This museum is great for all Dickins fans. They offer loads of family events including a self-guided trail around the house.

Walks in Portsmouth

On a nice summer’s day or even through half term, going for a walk and a picnic is great for ages. If you are looking for walks in Hampshire then have a look at this post here.

Name	Description
Holly Hill Woodland Park 123 Barnes Ln, Sarisbury Green, Southampton SO31 7BH	Holly Hill is a nature reserve and is great for spotting all kinds of woodland creatures and insects. We’ve seen badgers and squirrels on a good day while sat on one of the many benches or rocks throughout the park. The woodland has an on-site car park straight off the road that is free. There are toilets at the main entrance before you go down the hill.
Victoria Park 3 Stanhope Rd, Portsmouth PO1 3HJ	Victoria Park is a public park by the Portsmouth Guildhall. It’s a huge grass area that is perfect for picnics and playing outdoor games with the family.
Waggoners Wells Grayshott, Hindhead GU26 6DT	Waggoners wells is a National Trust area located in Grayshott, East Hampshire. With its 3 stunning lakes which run into one another via manmade waterfalls and rivers, a vast amount of woodland and walks that are perfect for families and dog walkers alike, it is the ideal place to spend on a Sunday afternoon. It is free to park and walk around, just make sure you take your spare coins to make a wish in the well! Also, pack a change of clothes and your wellies during the wetter months because there are just so many parts for your kids to scramble around, like on the exposed roots on a bank going up to the woods, parts of the river to jump in and the walkways can get very muddy. Unfortunately, there are no facilities here so make sure you take snacks and water with you.
Brook Meadow A259, Emsworth PO10 7LF	This is a huge flat area in Emsworth that is great for a family walk. Spot wildlife in the long grass and have a picnic too.
Emsworth Mill Pond Bath Rd, Emsworth PO10 7ER	This pond is great if the kids want to see the wild pond life or the ducks. You can do a circular walk in the high grass which is great for the whole family. Wear wellies when wet-though as it can get a bit flooded at times.
The Portsmouth Mystery Treasure Trail	This trail takes about 2-hours to complete. It takes you around the city in a “murder mystery” course. This is great for older kids who love to work things out.

Playgrounds in Portsmouth

If you are looking for more playgrounds in Hampshire then have a look at this post.

Cosham Playground (Fareham)

Seafarers Play Area (Fareham)

Harbour View Playground (Fareham)

Holly Hill Leisure Center Playground (Fareham)

Rowledge Recreation Ground Play Area (Fareham)

Newman Collard Play Area (Fareham)

Blackbrook Play Area (Fareham)

Leesland Park (Gosport)

Megson Park (Gosport)

Bepton Down (Petersfield)

Peel Play Park (Portsmouth)

Landport Adventure Playground (Portsmouth)

Southsea Common Play Area (Portsmouth)

Stake Parks in Portsmouth

These skate parks are perfect for all levels of skill. Why not pair them with one of the playgrounds above too? If you are looking for more skate parks in Hampshire then have a look at this post.

Name	Description
Emsworth Skatepark 20 Coldharbour Farm Rd, Emsworth PO10 7XA	Emsworth Skatepark has a mini ramp, quarter pipe and platform. It also has a funbox and a ledge which is perfect for all style of skaters.
Bartons Triangle Skatepark Bartons Road, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 5NP	Bartons Triangle Skatepark is free to get into and open all year round. The skatepark is metal with flat tarmac underneath. It’s great for beginners as it has a mini-ramp to practice on and different sized rails. More experienced riders might prefer the volcanoes, quarter pipes and funbox.
Bransbury Park Skatepark Bransbury Park, Bransbury Road, Southsea, PO4 9JZ	Bransbury Park Skatepark is great for beginner skaters. It has a mini ramp and a flat bank. It’s based in a huge field with a football pitch and a great flat pavement that’s great for bikes or scooters.
Clanfield Skatepark Clanfield, Waterlooville PO8 0QD	Clanfield Skatepark is a metal framed skatepark that is outdoors and completely free to use. This skatepark has two quarter pipes, a manny pad with a ledge, rail and a ledged funbox. The park has a football pitch, playground and a huge field for games. There is a small car park on-site too.
Denmead Skatepark Lowland Rd, Denmead, Waterlooville PO7 6YR	Denmead Skatepark is on King George V Recreation Ground. The frame is metal which has two mini ramps, flat banks and jump boxes.
Gosport skatepark Cottage Grove, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3NY	Gosport skatepark has a quarter pipe and flat ban. It’s great for all ages.
Milton Park skatepark Milton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 8PR	Milton Park skatepark has a funbox and a quarter pipe.
Paulsgrove Skatepark Allaway Ave, Portsmouth PO6 4RJ	This skate park is built on a tarmac base. It has spine and rails that are great for beginners.

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Days out in Portsmouth Ideas

These days out in Portsmouth are great for all ages. We have added a mix of free and paid days out that are perfect for all ages. If you are looking for days out in Hampshire then look at this post here.

Name	Description
Southsea Sea Front Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 9RG	Southsea Sea Front is a great if your family want to go scootering or for a bike ride on a flat surface. Opposite the Seafront there is a huge green field that hosts a great playground as well as a great space for picnics and games. Walk along the seafront a bit more 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.
Clarence Pier Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3AA	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.
Kidz Island South Parade S Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 0SW	Kidz Island South Parade 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 also have classic arcades and have loads of options for food including fish and chips and ice cream.
Funland Hayling Island The, Sea Front, Hayling Island PO11 0AG	Funland Hayling Island is great for all ages. Getting to the funfair early is a must as it does get busy in the summer and in the school holidays. Parking for all day costs £2.50 and it’s cash only. Funland Hayling Island is a ticket and band system. They have loads of rides for all ages.
Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth PO1 3TT	The Spinnaker Tower gives you great views of Portsmouth harbour and the South coast. The Spinnaker Tower is based in Gunwhalf Quays which is a outside shopping centre.

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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