Portsmouth and Southsea Coastal Walk

5 miles (7.8 km)

A walk around Portsmouth and Southsea, visiting Portsmouth Harbour, Southsea Common and Southsea Castle. You'll pass several significant local landmarks and enjoy fine coastal views throughout.
The walk starts at Portsmouth Harbour railway station and picks up the Solent Way long distance trail to take you around the harbour.
You'll pass Gunwharf Quays where there are lots of shops, pubs and cafes. Around here you'll also see the famous Spinnaker Tower. The�170-metre (560�ft) sail shaped landmark reflects Portsmouth's�maritime history.
The route then heads through Old Portsmouth, where you'll pass Portsmouth Cathedral and the Grade I listed Round Tower, which was built in 1490.
The next stage takes you past the amusement section at Clarence Pier and the Southsea Hoverport, where you can catch fast boats to the Isle of Wight.
Also near here is the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. �The memorial commemorates approximately 25,000 British and Commonwealth sailors who were lost in the World Wars. You can also visit the D-Day Museum where you can see the�Overlord Embroidery. This tells the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in 34 extraordinary hand-stitched panels with a total length of 83 metres.
The route continues to Southsea Castle, originally constructed by�Henry VIII�on�Portsea Island, in 1544.��It formed part of the King's�Device programme�to protect against invasion from France and the�Holy Roman Empire.
The walk then turns inland to visit Southsea Commmon. The large open space has nice wide lawns and a remarkable collection of mature�elm�trees, believed to be the oldest and largest surviving in Hampshire. You can follow the footpaths across the common to return to the harbour.
To extend your walking on Portsea Island continue east to Fort Cumberland, or west toward Gosport and Lee on Solent where you can visit the popular Alver Valley Country Park and enjoy a walk along the town's lakes, shingle beaches and old forts.
On the eastern side you can visit Hayling Island where you can pick up the Hayling Billy Trail. The shared cycling and walking trail runs along the west coast with great views of Langstone Harbour.
To the north east you can visit Farlington Marshes nature reserve for some great wildlife spotting opportunites and lovely views towards the islands of Langstone Harbour.

Portsmouth and Southsea Coastal Walk Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Portsmouth and Southsea Coastal Walk Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Portsmouth and Southsea Coastal Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Portsmouth and Southsea Coastal Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Portsmouth and Southsea

Farlington Marshes - Explore this lovely coastal nature reserve on this walk on Portsea Island near Portsmouth
Hayling Billy Trail - This popular cycling and walking trail uses the Hayling Billy Coastal Path which runs along the west coast of Hayling Island near Havant.
The trail gives fabulous views of Langstone Harbour which is an internationally important site for its wildfowl and wading birds
Solent Way - Follow the Solent Way along the beautiful south coast from Milford on Sea to Emsworth.
The route starts off at Milford on Sea and heads along the coastal marshes to Lymington with splendid views of the Isle of Wight
Alver Valley Country Park - This lovely open space is located near Gosport and has 3 walking and cycling routes that show off the best areas of the 500 acre park
Gosport - This Hampshire based coastal town sits on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour, opposite the city of Portsmouth
Lee on Solent - This coastal village is a pleasant place for an easy stroll along the prom, with fine views of the Solent, lots of sea front cafes and a nice beach.