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 are a great opportunity for the family to enjoy the beautiful Southsea beachfront and are available to hire for residents on a staycation in Portsmouth.

We manage over 100 beach huts from Canoe Lake to St. Georges Road and Eastney. Annual hire is very popular and, although the waiting list is open, there is a long wait! Contact us to add your name to the beach hut waiting list.

Beach Hut rental is £1008 per year for Portsmouth residents.

For a taste of what it would be like to have your very own beach hut, there are two beach huts which can be rented in mid, high or low seasons. The costs including VAT to hire a weekly hut are:

• Mid-season (6 April 2018 - 21 June 2018): £96 (or £57.60 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)
• High-season (22 June 2018 to 6 September 2018): £163.20 (or £97.90 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)
• Low season (9 November 2018 to 4 April 2019): £36.00 (or £21.60 for Portsmouth Leisure Card holders)
  
  

For further information, 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.

Portsmouth City Council is offering a new and uniquely positioned pop-up opportunity to exhibit a variety of unique cuisines, new food and drink offers that we know are emerging across the city. E-mail PopUpPortsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for further information and please register on  the council's Intend procurement page for opportunities for this season.