In case you are on the lookout for issues to do in Portsmouth with youngsters then there’s masses to maintain your loved ones entertained.
Earlier than transferring to Devon I lived in a Portsmouth postcode for greater than thirty years, so have a reasonably good concept of the perfect points of interest for households, free issues to do and days out in Portsmouth.
As a bonus, you’ll be able to scroll to the underside of this publish for lots extra concepts for issues to do close to Portsmouth.
*This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
Why go to Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is considered one of UK’s most essential maritime hubs and with this heady accountability comes a whole lot of historical past. It’s house to the Royal Navy and the departure level for the ill-fated Mary Rose and HMS Bounty. It’s additionally the place Charles Dickens was born.
The town will get air time within the pages Dickens’ Nicholas Nickelby in addition to Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, whereas the historic docks shaped the again drop for the 2012 adaptation of Les Misérables. Oh, and it’s the county’s solely metropolis by itself an island.
With all these claims to fame, there’s loads of causes to go to Portsmouth for historical past and literary buffs. However what in case your youngsters aren’t all that into books and outdated stuff?
What to do in Portsmouth with youngsters
On this publish I’m sharing a superb dose of all the very best issues to do with youngsters in Portsmouth. Yep, even the outdated stuff, as a result of its truly actually fascinating.
Learn on for:
- free issues to do in Portsmouth
- world-class household points of interest
- 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 huge spherical up of 101 UK points of interest for households.
Free issues to do in Portsmouth
You don’t need to spend some huge cash to understand the town’s maritime heritage and views of the Solent.
Right here’s some concepts for issues to do in Portsmouth at no cost:
1. Southsea & Eastney Seashorees
Pack your seashore bag and head to the seafront.
Lower than a mile from the 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 would possibly wish to pop some 2ps in your bag for the arcades.
3. Meet the geese at Baffins Pond
Baffins is a sizzling 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 on the lookout for free issues to do in Portsmouth then why not discover the town’s tradition and pure historical past at this museum on Jap Parade in Southsea.
There’s exhibitions about D Day, Charles Dickens and the town’s navy historical past in addition to artwork and a butterfly home.
On avenue parking is out there. Donations welcome.
Portsmouth Pure Historical past Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all 12 months
5. Southsea Citadel
The citadel 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 by way of the centuries.
It’s free to enter the maintain and benefit from the views throughout the harbour and Solent.
There’s a small automobile park shut by and restricted on avenue parking.
Southsea Citadel | 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 number 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 at no cost.
8. Portsmouth Museum & Artwork Gallery
Discover out concerning the historical past of this maritime metropolis by way of exhibitions about its individuals and business, in addition to seeing touring shows of artwork.
One of many metropolis’s most well-known residents was Arthur Conan Doyle – the writer of Sherlock Holmes. The museum homes the world’s largest Sherlock Holmes exhibition.
On avenue parking is out there.
Portsmouth Museum | Moist day exercise | Open Tuesday to Sunday all 12 months
9. Cumberland Home Pure Historical past Museum
Uncover Portsmouth’s A-Z of pure historical past alongside native geology and the historical past of the town’s individuals at this free museum close to Canoe Lake in Southsea.
Go to between Could and September and also you’ll have the ability to see butterflies hatching in purpose-built greenhouse.
Cumberland Home | Moist day exercise | Open Tuesday to Sunday all 12 months
10. Play at Canoe Lake
Benefit from the open area and journey playgrounds at Canoe Lake in Southsea. In the summertime months you too can discover pedal boats for rent.
It’s an amazing spot for a picnic with cafes, parking and bathrooms too.
11. See the Southsea Rose Gardens
Subsequent to Canoe Lake you’ll discover a beautiful walled rose backyard. In the course of the summer time months you’ll be able to take pleasure in 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 points of interest 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 day trip available right here.
The excellent news is that when you’ve purchased your tickets you’ll be able to return once more inside 12 months.
Considered one of our private favorite issues to do is to go to in the course of the dockyard’s Christmas occasions when costumed characters from the previous roam the Victorian streets.
The dockyard attraction has its personal automobile park. In case you are travelling from to Portsmouth from the west we will additionally advocate parking in Gosport and catching the ferry to keep away from the town site visitors.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | All climate attraction | Open all 12 months | 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 unimaginable exhibition the place the preserved wreak is the star of the present.
This indoor day trip in Portsmouth is packed filled with interactive options like contact display screen video games, dressing up in Tudor costumes and story telling utilizing mild and projections to elucidate 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 women again now. It’s ranked as one of many high issues to do with youngsters in Portsmouth.
High ideas for visiting: use the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard automobile park.
The Mary Rose Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all 12 months | Purchase tickets to the Mary Rose Museum*
14. D Day Museum
For an academic day trip 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 Struggle, 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 an amazing moist climate day trip in Portsmouth.
There’s a number of parking alongside the seafront.
The D Day Museum | Moist day exercise | Open all 12 months
15. Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum
Go to the birthplace of the good British author who penned the phrases ‘Scrooge’, ‘Que Sera, Sera’ and ‘Bah Humbug’.
The interiors of the home on Previous Industrial Highway have been restored within the Regency fashion that was common 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
For those who love conventional enjoyable festivals 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 | Greatest on a sunny day | This can be a seasonal attraction so verify the web site for opening instances
17. Discover Southsea Mannequin Village
This small attraction is ready in an outdated Victorian fort simply again from the seafront. It’s an amazing factor to do in Portsmouth with toddlers due to the charming fashions and simple accessibility.
The 1/twelfth scale village contains 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 useful automobile park proper exterior the mannequin village or you’ll be able to park on the seafront.
You’ll additionally discover a big playground and some cafes exterior.
Southsea Mannequin Village | Outside exercise | This can be a seasonal attraction so verify the web site for opening instances
18. Honest floor rides on South Parade Pier
Youngsters Island on South Parade Pier has small fairground rides which can be fund for younger kids.
Sights embody bumper automobiles, a caterpillar journey and pirate ship.
Entry to the pier is free. Purchase credit for the journey you wish to strive.
South Parade Pier | Outside exercise | Open all 12 months 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’ll be able to step onto the glass Sky Stroll 100 meters above the ocean and even ebook an abseiling expertise.
Park within the Gunwharf Quays buying centre had been you’ll additionally discover a number of eating places, a cinema and outlet shops.
Spinnaker Tower | All climate however finest on a sunny day | Open all 12 months | 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 on the lookout for issues to do in Portsmouth on a wet day that is excellent.
Come head to head 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 instances in the course of the day to take advantage of this creature expertise.
There’s a number of parking alongside the seafront.
Bluereef Aquarium | Moist day exercise | Open all 12 months
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 12 months
22. Flip Out Portsmouth
Juts exterior Portsmouth you’ll discover Flip Our with trampolines, an air bag and multi-layer comfortable play together with areas for beneath fives.
Flip Out Portsmouth | Moist day exercise | Open all 12 months
23. Portsmouth occasions
It’s value keeping track of what’s on in Portsmouth all year long as there are many household occasions. Considered one of our favourites is the Christmas occasions in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
If your loved ones is into music then the Victorious Competition held every August has been extremely beneficial to us as being family-friendly.
Additionally in the summertime yow will discover the Kite Competition 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 day trip and even brief 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 after we are visiting.
For those who’re on the lookout for someplace to remain near Portsmouth we will additionally advocate The Solent Lodge & Spa.
Discover extra locations to remain in Portsmouth on Reserving.com:
Disclosure: this publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. Because of this in the event you click on by way of and make a purchase order I could earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.
For those who’re heading to the South Coast then why not pin this publish about issues to do in Portsmouth with youngsters?
