Beach and seafront

The seafront is one of the most popular areas of Portsmouth, enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. The beach stretches along the whole southern end of Portsea Island from Old Portsmouth to the conservation area of Eastney.

Next to the beach and seafront promenade, Southsea Common is a vast open space, ideal for kite flying, informal ball games, picnics & barbecues. There are designated barbecue zones on the common, which are shown in the leaflet below, along with useful safety tips.

Find out more about the beach huts, sports, play facilities and tourist attractions run by Portsmouth City Council below, or read the council plans to further develop the seafront.

For more information, email seafront.services@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 023 9282 8112. 

There are two play areas along the seafront for children of all ages, as well as Southsea Skatepark catering for skate boarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers. You will also find a cricket pitch, tennis courts, bowling greens, crazy golf, pitch and putt and beach volleyball. There are three beach volleyball courts, opposite the D-day Museum.

All open access facilities are available to local residents free of charge.

For more information email seafront.services@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 023 9282 8112. 

There are many places to visit along Southsea seafront including Southsea Castle - one of the historic fortifications built during Henry VIII's reign and the D-Day Story.

Their surrounds have undergone significant improvements in 2018, with the footway connecting the two being re-surfaced, leading to the impressive, new 30-jet LED lit water feature. This is a decorative water feature that runs programmed sequences daily, lit after dusk with the Castle as the backdrop. If it's children's water play you're looking for, head to one of our splash pools. there's Southsea splash pool on Clarence Esplanade, Canoe Lake splash pad and also Hilsea splash pool where there is free parking.

There are volunteer lifeguards at three of Southsea's beaches for the summer season.

To find out more about all seafront attractions, including events on Castle Field and the summer programmes of music at The Bandstand and children's entertainment at Canoe Lake, follow the link to Visit Portsmouth.

Beach huts give families a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Southsea beachfront. They are available to hire, on a weekly basis, for residents and visitors on a staycation in Portsmouth.

Annual hire is currently unavailable as the waiting list for all sites has been temporarily closed for St Georges, Eastney and Lumps Fort. This is because the waiting list is extensive. Once the waiting list has reduced to approximately a 5 year wait , it will then be reopened. The most likely date for this will be early 2025.

However, please do look into hiring a weekly hut throughout the season. It can be hired for a maximum of 2 weeks, to get a taste of what it's like to have your very own beach hut. We have 2 beach huts available for a weekly rent at low, mid and high season.

The costs including VAT to hire a weekly hut are:

• Low season  (3 April to 30 April 2020):

Cost: £37.60  (or £22.50 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)

• Mid-season (1 May 2020 to 2 July 2020):

Cost: £99.50 (or £59.70 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)

• High-season (3 July to 3 September 2020):

Cost: £170.50 (or £102.30 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)

• Mid-season (4 September to 5 November 2020):

Cost: £99.50 (or £59.70 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)

• Low season (6 November to 6 May 2021):

Cost: £37.60  (or £22.50 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)

For further information and bookings please email seafront.services@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

For first aid go to the Lifeguard Centre by the Rock Gardens on the promenade, between The Pyramids and South Parade Pier.