In case you are in search of issues to do in Portsmouth with youngsters then there’s a lot to maintain your loved ones entertained regardless of the season from sights to museums and occasions.
Earlier than transferring to Devon I lived in a Portsmouth postcode for greater than thirty years, so have a reasonably good concept of the easiest sights for households and days out in Portsmouth.
*This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
What to do in Portsmouth with youngsters
Beneath is my spherical up of the very best issues to do with youngsters in Portsmouth. It consists of:
- free issues to do in Portsmouth
- world-class household sights
- historic locations and museums in Portsmouth
- enjoyable issues to do in Portsmouth
- what to do when it rains
- occasions in Portsmouth
- and issues to do close to Portsmouth.
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my massive spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
Free issues to do in Portsmouth
You don’t should spend some huge cash to understand town’s maritime heritage and views of the Solent.
Right here’s some concepts for issues to do in Portsmouth totally free:
1. Southsea & Eastney Seashorees
Pack your seashore bag and head to the seafront.
Lower than a mile from town centre you’ll discover three mile a shingle shoreline overlooking the Solent and Isle of Wight.
2. Promenade alongside South Parade Pier
It’s free to take a stroll alongside South Parade Pier however you may wish to pop some 2ps in your bag for the arcades.
3. Meet the geese at Baffins Pond
Baffins is a scorching spot for wild fowl. You’ll additionally discover play gear, a sand pit and picnic tables.
4. Portsmouth Pure Historical past Museum
In case you are in search of free issues to do in Portsmouth then why not discover town’s tradition and pure historical past at this museum on Japanese Parade in Southsea.
There’s exhibitions about D Day, Charles Dickens and town’s navy historical past in addition to artwork and a butterfly home.
On road parking is out there. Donations welcome.
Portsmouth Pure Historical past Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all yr
5. Southsea Fort
The fort was constructed by King Henry VIII as a part of a collection of south coast defences in opposition to French invasion and was in use nearly repeatedly till 1960. It sits on the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour so was a strategically vital fortification via the centuries.
It’s free to enter the hold and benefit from the views throughout the harbour and Solent.
There’s a small automotive park shut by and restricted on road parking.
Southsea Fort | Outside exercise | Open Tuesday to Sunday from April to October
6. Wander Previous Portsmouth
Stroll round Previous Portsmouth the place you’ll discover loads of historic fortifications and wonderful views of site visitors coming out and in of the harbour.
7. Observe the Dickens Path
Portsmouth was the birthplace of Charles Dickens whose father was a clerk for the Royal Navy.
The Dickens path takes you on an eight mile tour of a few of the locations that impressed his books together with John Kilos Church, the location of The Portsmouth Theatre and the Pay Workplace within the Historic Dockyard.
You’ll be able to obtain the path totally free.
8. Portsmouth Museum & Artwork Gallery
Discover out concerning the historical past of this maritime metropolis via exhibitions about its folks and business, in addition to seeing touring shows of artwork.
One of many metropolis’s most well-known residents was Arthur Conan Doyle – the creator of Sherlock Holmes. The museum homes the world’s largest Sherlock Holmes exhibition.
On road parking is out there.
Portsmouth Museum | Moist day exercise | Open Tuesday to Sunday all yr
9. Cumberland Home Pure Historical past Museum
Uncover Portsmouth’s A-Z of pure historical past alongside native geology and the historical past of town’s folks at this free museum close to Canoe Lake in Southsea.
Go to between Might and September and also you’ll be capable of see butterflies hatching in purpose-built greenhouse.
Cumberland Home | Moist day exercise | Open Tuesday to Sunday all yr
10. Play at Canoe Lake
Benefit from the open house and journey playgrounds at Canoe Lake in Southsea. In the summertime months you too can discover pedal boats for rent.
It’s a terrific spot for a picnic with cafes, parking and bogs too.
11. See the Southsea Rose Gardens
Subsequent to Canoe Lake you’ll discover a beautiful walled rose backyard. Throughout the summer time months you may get pleasure from dozens of types of rose.
The gardens are open from daybreak to nightfall.
Historic locations and museums in Portsmouth
Portsmouth is famed for its navy connections. Anybody with an curiosity within the Royal Navy will discover loads of locations to go to within the metropolis.
12. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
See 11 sights for the value of 1 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
From Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, to the interactive Motion Stations exercise boathouse and the Nationwide Museum of the Royal Navy, there’s greater than a full time out available right here.
The excellent news is that when you’ve purchased your tickets you may return once more inside 12 months.
One in all our private favorite issues to do is to go to through the dockyard’s Christmas occasions when costumed characters from the previous roam the Victorian streets.
The dockyard attraction has its personal automotive park. In case you are travelling from to Portsmouth from the west we are able to additionally suggest parking in Gosport and catching the ferry to keep away from town site visitors.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | All climate attraction | Open all yr | Purchase tickets for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard*
13. The Mary Rose Museum
Uncover the story of The Mary Rose, why she sank and who was onboard on this unbelievable exhibition the place the preserved wreak is the star of the present.
This indoor time out in Portsmouth is packed stuffed with interactive options like contact display screen video games, dressing up in Tudor costumes and story telling utilizing mild and projections to clarify life on a Tudor warship.
I’ve not been to see the Mary Rose since I used to be a child however would like to take the ladies again now. It’s ranked as one of many high issues to do with youngsters in Portsmouth.
High suggestions for visiting: use the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard automotive park.
The Mary Rose Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all yr | Purchase tickets to the Mary Rose Museum*
14. D Day Museum
For an academic time out in Portsmouth, go to this museum to search out out the non-public tales behind the D Day landings in 1944.
This Portsmouth attraction is good for kids studying concerning the Second World Conflict, exhibiting them how the preparations had been made, the place the landings embarked from alongside the South Coast, and loads of artefacts to convey historical past alive. It’s additionally a terrific moist climate time out in Portsmouth.
There’s plenty of parking alongside the seafront.
The D Day Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all yr
15. Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum
Go to the birthplace of the nice British author who penned the phrases ‘Scrooge’, ‘Que Sera, Sera’ and ‘Bah Humbug’.
The interiors of the home on Previous Business Street have been restored within the Regency type that was well-liked on the time Dickens was born. There’s a small assortment of memorabilia in addition to illustrations of the characters who seem in his books.
Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum | Moist day exercise | Open on chosen dates
Enjoyable issues to do in Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a seaside metropolis that fronts on to the Solent and English Channel. Right here’s some enjoyable issues to do in Southsea and on the seashore in Portsmouth:
16. Seaside enjoyable at Clarence Pier
In case you love conventional enjoyable gala’s then a go to to Clarence Pier is a should. There are rides, arcades and household actions like loopy golf, excessive ropes and indoor play.
You’ll be able to pay for rides utilizing tokens or limitless wristbands that may be purchased on the onsite kiosk or prematurely on-line.
Clarence Pier | Finest on a sunny day | It is a seasonal attraction so verify the web site for opening occasions
17. Discover Southsea Mannequin Village
This small attraction is ready in an outdated Victorian fort simply again from the seafront. It’s a terrific factor to do in Portsmouth with toddlers due to the charming fashions and straightforward accessibility.
The 1/twelfth scale village consists of 40 mannequin homes and scenes, plus a G scale railway.
Whereas on the mannequin village you too can discover the 100ft lengthy rifleman’s tunnel and have a picnic overlooking the seafront.
There’s a helpful automotive park proper exterior the mannequin village or you may park on the seafront.
You’ll additionally discover a big playground and some cafes exterior.
Southsea Mannequin Village | Outside exercise | It is a seasonal attraction so verify the web site for opening occasions
18. Truthful floor rides on South Parade Pier
Children Island on South Parade Pier has small fairground rides which can be fund for younger youngsters.
Sights embody bumper automobiles, a caterpillar trip and pirate ship.
Entry to the pier is free. Purchase credit for the trip you wish to strive.
South Parade Pier | Outside exercise | Open all yr spherical
19. Climb the Spinnaker Tower
This iconic 170m tall tower, which was accomplished in 2005, can been seen from 23 miles away. Climb up greater than 100 meter to achieve the three viewing platforms or ascend in 30 seconds within the raise.
From the highest on a transparent day its potential to see throughout the Solent to the Isle of Wight, the South Downs and alongside the English Channel coast.
In case you have a head for heights you may step onto the glass Sky Stroll 100 meters above the ocean and even e book an abseiling expertise.
Park within the Gunwharf Quays purchasing centre had been you’ll additionally discover plenty of eating places, a cinema and outlet shops.
Spinnaker Tower | All climate however finest on a sunny day | Open all yr | Purchase tickets for the Spinnaker Towner*
Issues to do in Portsmouth on a wet day
In addition to Portsmouth’s museums and Historic Dockyard, right here’s some issues to do in Portsmouth when it’s moist:
20. Bluereef Aquarium
In case you are in search of issues to do in Portsmouth on a wet day that is good.
Come nose to nose with creatures from the deep in additional than 40 shows across the aquarium together with sharks, lobsters and fish native to UK shores. There’s additionally Asian Brief Clawed Otters and reptiles.
Time your go to with the 5 feeding occasions through the day to benefit from this creature expertise.
There’s plenty of parking alongside the seafront.
Bluereef Aquarium | Moist day exercise | Open all yr
21. Gunwharf Quays
Dodge the rain by treating the youngsters to bowling or a visit to see a flick at Gunwharf Quays. It has a 14 display screen Vue cinema and state-of-the-art bowling alley.
Actions at Gunwharf | Moist day exercise | Open all yr
22. Flip Out Portsmouth
Juts exterior Portsmouth you’ll discover Flip Our with trampolines, an air bag and multi-layer tender play together with areas for below fives.
Flip Out Portsmouth | Moist day exercise | Open all yr
23. Portsmouth occasions
It’s price maintaining a tally of what’s on in Portsmouth all year long as there are many household occasions. One in all our favourites is the Christmas occasions in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
If your loved ones is into music then the Victorious Pageant held every August has been extremely advisable to us as being family-friendly.
Additionally in the summertime you’ll find the Kite Pageant held on Southsea Widespread. This attracts kite flyers and followers from all over the world to see kites of all shapes and sides fly on the seafront.
24. Day journey to the Isle of Wight
A enjoyable time out and even quick break from Portsmouth is to hop on a Wightlink ferry or Hovertravel hovercraft to the Isle of Wight.
Examine our final day journey to the Isle of Wight.
Issues to do close to Portsmouth
Not removed from Portsmouth you’ll discover much more issues to do with youngsters together with:
Right here’s some extra days out spherical ups for cities and nations near Portsmouth:
The place to remain in Portsmouth
We’re fortunate to nonetheless have household within the Portsmouth space so stick with them once we are visiting.
In case you’re in search of someplace to remain near Portsmouth we are able to additionally suggest The Solent Lodge & Spa.
Discover extra locations to remain in Portsmouth on Reserving.com:
Disclosure: this put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. Which means that when you click on via and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.
In case you’re heading to the South Coast then why not pin this put up about issues to do in Portsmouth with youngsters?
