Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Table of Contents
IN A NUTSHELL
Visit Portsmouth with Children
Portsmouth is an incredible destination for families with children! With miles of sandy beaches, expansive parkland, and a wealth of free activities to enjoy, there’s never a dull moment. Children can splash in the sea, build sandcastles, fly kites, and play ball games to their hearts’ content on Southsea seafront and Common. And the city’s world-class museums and attractions, including the iconic Mary Rose, HMS Victory, and Spinnaker Tower, offer endless opportunities for learning and adventure. From history to outdoor fun, Portsmouth has it all – making it the perfect family holiday destination! Are you ready to get to know more about travelling to Portsmouth with children?
The Best Time to Visit Portsmouth with Children
Unlike many other seaside destinations, you can visit Portsmouth with children all year round. The attractions are open throughout the year and the shoulder seasons offer a chance to explore without so many crowds. That said, those who visit during the school holidays will be rewarded with more family-friendly activities taking place midweek, with regular appearances from TV favourites at the Spinnaker Tower and the twice-weekly Kids Club events free at Port Solent.
How to Get to Portsmouth with Children
Getting to Portsmouth with children is easy, whichever way you’re travelling. Those bringing their car will have no trouble, with a motorway running straight to the heart of the city. There’s also a Park and Ride service for day visitors to make life even easier. Trains run into Portsmouth city centre and harbour, with direct services from London, Brighton, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, Winchester, Bath and more. There are also ferries and catamarans from the Isle of Wight and mainland Europe.
Must Dos When in Portsmouth with Children
The Spinnaker Tower – Fast becoming an emblem of modern Portsmouth.
After taking the high-speed lift to View Deck 1 you get to experience a stunning view out across Portsmouth Harbour, the wider cityscape, out across the Solent, to the Isle of Wight, back across the South Downs National Park, and beyond.
View Deck 2 offers more views and is where you can enjoy a very high tea at the Clouds café. Then, finish with the open-topped View Deck 3 – the roof garden – where you get to really experience how high up you are.
A ticket to the Tower allows you entry all day, so you can take in the view, then head back down to explore Gunwharf Quays (where there are 90 designer shops, 30 bars and restaurants, a bowling alley, multiplex cinema, contemporary art gallery, play area, miniport and more – plus regular events), before heading back up to enjoy the view once more.
LOCATION
Hotels in Portsmouth
Most of the city’s hotels, guest houses and B&Bs are family-friendly.
Our Top Family-Friendly Hotels in Portsmouth
- The Queens Hotel ***
- The George Hotel ***
- Portsmouth Mariott Hotel ****
- Somerset House Boutique Hotel ****
- Premier Inn Portsmouth City Centre Hotel ***
PLAY
Activities for children ages 0-5
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
Cumberland House Natural History Museum – Inside you’ll find a Butterfly House, an A-Z of Natural History, operational beehive, and a garden. You can then head to the nearby Canoe Lake to ride the swan-shaped pedaloes, go into the play park or pay a visit to the Southsea Model Village.
Exploria – Soft play at the Pyramids Centre with different sections for all ages and different themed zones.
Playzone – A huge indoor play area. With an array of exciting features such as massive slides, rope walkways, fireman’s poles, web climbers, tumble towers, up and over pads, bish bash bags, and more.
Pirates and Princesses – An indoor playground that also has a soft play area for toddlers.
Staunton Country Park – There’s a lake and a petting farm.
Baffins Pond – A pond with fowls and ducks. There is also a play area.
PLAY
Activities for older children
Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – A fascinating and immersive attraction that offers visitors the chance to explore centuries of naval history.
The D-Day Story – The D-Day Story puts visitors in the footsteps of those who took part in the Normandy Landings.
Southsea Castle – The castle houses a museum whilst the ramparts offer stunning views out across the Solent and over Southsea Common. There’s also a café in the courtyard, plus a shop and even a microbrewery.
Portchester Castle – A fortification and a historic royal residence, offering spectacular views.
Canoe Lake – A lake, garden, and a play area featuring a zip wire, sand pit and water area.
Hollywood Bowl – Spend some fun time bowling.
PLAY
Parks & Playgrounds
Our Favourite Parks ton Visit with Children in Portsmouth
Southsea Common – A large open space, ideal for picnics.
Canoe Lake – With its own playground.
Victoria Park -Within the city centre just a short walk from the shops, train station and Guildhall. Lots of open space, play areas, an aviary and a host of statues, monuments and fountains.
Milton Park – It has a large playground, as well as space for youngsters to run around, a tennis court, and café.
Bransbury Park – It has a railway running during the summer, sports courts and a play park, as well as football goals, open parkland and small coppice.
FOOD
Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in Portsmouth
At Gunwharf Quays you’ll find all the big names you know and love, many of which offer outdoor seating overlooking the marina – a must-do in the summer months.
Alternatively there’s quality pub grub open to all ages over at Old Portsmouth.
You can head to Southsea to go on a foodie world tour, with restaurants offering cuisine from across the globe.
Our Favourite Family-Friendly Cafés & Restaurants in Portsmouth
TRANSPORTATION
How to Get Around Portsmouth with Children
Getting around Portsmouth with children is easy.The city is flat and compact, with many top attractions mere metres from one another. Furthermore, with great walks through parkland and along the seafront, walking isn’t just easy but picturesque as well.
There are regular buses in Portsmouth for those needed to get in from further afield, but these are unlikely to be needed by those staying in central Portsmouth or Southsea.
TOYS
Toy Shops & Clothing Stores in Portsmouth for Children
When in Portsmouth with children, you’re bound to find various stores. Here are some point of interests to visit if you want to shop.
Gunwharf Quays – Visit for big brand outlets.
Commercial Road – Visit for the high street favourites.
Palmerston Road – Visit for boutique shopping.
Port Solent – This is where you can enjoy a more leisurely pace. Around the Palmerston Road area especially you have small independent shops offering something a little different.
Insider Tips
Get 20% when Visiting Attractions
If you know what attractions you want to visit then book in advance as you may be able to get a discount. Many attractions offer up to 20% off if you book ahead – and it’s also helpful to know what you’re doing and have it guaranteed.
Information Points
There are Visitor Information points at the Hard Interchange; Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery; and The D-Day Story. Utilise their expert knowledge and insight for information on what to do and where to go.
Park & Ride
Use the Park and Ride for an easy way to both park and also get into the city. Or leave the car behind altogether and use public transport to reach Portsmouth, as once you arrive it’s easy to get around on foot.
TRAVEL TO PORTSMOUTH
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Booking With Kids gives you family travel tips to inspiration on the best places to travel with kids, we’re here to help you make your next trip a positive one.
Booking With Kids gives you family travel tips to inspiration on the best places to travel with kids, we’re here to help you make your next trip a positive one.
