Open spaces are integral to our quality of life as places to enjoy sport and recreation, to gather and appreciate the benefits of being outdoors and for children to play them – 91% of people in Portsmouth use their local parks or playgrounds. Best of all, they are free to visit!
Green spaces are not only important for our health and wellbeing, but also for our environment: to conserve the biodiversity of our natural flora and fauna, and to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Portsmouth’s parks, gardens and open spaces are much valued by all the people who use them. Follow the links below to find out more about the individual gardens, open areas, events and volunteering opportunities.
You can download a map and brief guide to our parks, gardens and open spaces below.
From seafront horticultural displays and formal parks, to sports pitches and children’s play areas, to natural spaces and small informal grassed areas, Portsmouth’s parks and open spaces are rightly protected from development, and are mostly maintained by Portsmouth City Council.
For further information, email parks@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, phone 023 9283 4180 or write to the Parks Service at Portsmouth City Council Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth. PO1 2AD.
Accessible parks
To make sure all parks and open spaces and their facilities are available for everybody, we make improvements wherever possible using existing resources and during planned maintenance programmes.
Community wardens provide a visible uniformed presence in the parks and open spaces, to make people feel safer, deter crime, tackle anti-social behaviour and help keep Portsmouth clean and tidy.
Talks & walks in parks and open spaces
Walking round Portsmouth has more information about guided walks and self-guided tours, including:
- Walking for health – a mixture of city and countryside volunteer-led walks. A great way to improve fitness as well as make new friends
- Hilsea Lines‘ ranger and Friends of Portsdown Hill hold talks and events relating to each site’s military history and local wildlife. Both offer self-guided tours with interpretation boards and accompanying leaflets.
Volunteering in parks and open spaces
There are regular volunteer work parties at many of the city open spaces including Southsea Rock Gardens, Baffins Pond, Portsdown Hill and Hilsea Lines.
More information on these parks and open spaces
Download our guide to parks and open spaces below or follow the links to find out more about Portsmouth’s open spaces – including the historic Highland Road cemetery – or the city’s ponds and lakes.
