Portsmouth is home to one of the UK’s most iconic waterfronts. In fact, it’s completely surrounded by water which makes it the UK’s only island city! So there you go, no need to go all the way to Venice for that lagoon lifestyle, simply drive down to the south coast and imagine you’re in the Adriatic sea.
Ofcourse, with all that water, you’d get expect there to be a few good beaches too. Luckily Portsmouth doesn’t disappoint. Portsmouth features some iconic shingle beaches that each have a speciality, from walks to watersports to fishing. If you want to find some sandy beaches, there’s some great options nearby too!
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 5 of our favourite Portsmouth beaches for you to enjoy this summer.
1. Southsea Beach (Shingle)
Just under a mile from Portsmouth’s city centre is the resort town of Southsea, named after the nearby Southsea castle. It features a canoe lake, recreation area, promenade and ofcourse a long stretch of beach that slopes into the sea. If you’re wanting to make sandcastles and run around barefoot, this might not be the beach for you, as it’s mostly made up of flinty shingle. However, after a seaside stroll set amongst a historic resort town, this could be the perfect option for you.
2. Eastney Beach (Shingle)
To the east of Southsea beach is the radically named, Eastney beach. If you’re a nature buff, this could be the perfect spot for you as the long, wide stretch of sand is home to over 100 different species of plant. They’ve specially adapted to the salt and shingle to thrive in the seaside conditions – who wouldn’t? If you’re not so keen on the local botany, there’s also loads of opportunities for water sports with a whole area marked out for windsurfing. Again, bear in mind that this is a shingle beach so sandcastles might be a bit of a challenge.
3. Beachlands (Pebble)
Whilst not technically on the same island as Portsmouth, Beachlands is only a stones throw away, situated on the neighbouring Hayling Island. It features an eight kilometer stretch of pebble beach that’s mostly sheltered by a sandbar. This makes it a great option for budding swimmers seeking calmer waters.
4. Old Portsmmouth Beach (Shingle)
Perhaps the most historic option is Old Portsmouth Beach, situated near Portsmouth habour and the old town. Since the currents coming in and out of Portsmouth harbour are strong and the beach isn’t lifeguarded, swimming isn’t a good idea. However, it’s a good fishing spot, making it a great option for those wanting practice their skills.
5. West Wittering Beach (Sandy)
To find a sandy beach, you’ll have to venture slightly outside of Portsmouth. One of our favourite options is West Wittering, which is only a half an hour drive from the city. Often lauded as one of the best beaches in West Sussex, the expansive seaside stretch is flanked by dunes and salt marshes, making it a great spot for finding rare species of plants and wildlife, or simply admiring the breathtaking views.
