A lively blend of old and new, Portsmouth’s waterfront brings centuries of naval history together with contemporary facilities. As a local who’s lived in the area for decades, I’ll guide you through the seafront’s most vibrant social hotspots.

Southsea Common

An anchor of the city’s public interactions, Southsea Common is a hub for all sorts of community events. A perfect gathering place for social connections to spark, its size and attractive location make it an ideal third place of many kinds. Loved also by our canine friends, it’s a popular spot for walks, picnics, recreational sports, and good old fashioned, low-cost healthy family outings. Frisbees and footballs, bikes and barbecues flood the vast green space on fair weather days. A refreshing contrast to the city life of central Portsmouth, this recreational area perfectly compliments the nearby beach.

The site hosts several annual events, such as the renowned end of summer festival, Victorious. Attracting party-goers from far afield, its multiple stages have seen some impressive lineups.

Southsea Food Festival is a must visit for foodies, featuring live cooking demonstrations and stalls from premium local cuisine producers. Street performers, live music and interactive events all help attract culinary explorers to this energetic food fiesta.

The Common hosts an outdoor cinema during warmer months, with open-air screenings of popular films making a very memorable experience. Seasonal events such as firework displays and ice skating keep this site active all year round.

The Two Piers

Nothing quite compares to the atmosphere of a seaside funfair. It’s an unparalleled combination of fun and chaos, the thrilling screams and loud music, bright flashing lights, and smells of salted chips and candy floss. A pier is a keystone of any British seaside resort, and the PO postcode is home to two of them, each with its own vibe. Clarence Pier closely neighbours the Common, while South Parade Pier is situated at the Eastern end of Southsea Esplanade.

Centred around amusement park attractions with its carousels and rollercoaster thrill rides, Clarence Pier is also home to mini golf and three arcades. The intergenerational fun of penny slots, claw grabbers and typical British seaside amusements offer hours of nostalgic entertainment. You can grab a bite to eat here, but it’s mostly takeaway, perfect to enjoy on the beach.

South Parade Pier has a rich history, having been burned down and rebuilt three times, yet the structure thrives today. It’s more relaxed and historic than the Clarence, suited better to those preferring peaceful scenic views over thrill rides and bright lights. 

In comparison to the Clarence, it retains more of its classic Victorian charm and heritage, offering a wide selection of places to relax and eat for a sit down meal or a quick drink with a view. As well as the compulsory fish and chips, you can also get ice cream, coffee, cocktails, craft beers, Greek cuisine, pizza, burgers and even more.

Hotwalls Studios

This creative community hub is situated in the aesthetic 15th century stonework arches of Old Portsmouth. Each studio houses a local artist who uses the space to work on their diverse projects and engage with the public. Fine artists, textile artists, jewellers, potters and taxidermists are amongst the eclectic mix of talent here.

What makes this literal hotspot extra special, is that visitors can not only purchase hand-made items from their favourite creator, but actually witness the creation process first-hand. Some artists even give you the chance to learn some of their techniques yourself through bookable workshop classes. Open days, exhibitions and events run all year round, giving plenty of opportunity to meet and connect with creators and like-minded art enthusiasts.

Brick and stone walls provide radiant heat and shelter to the site’s small but widely visited shingle beach, in fact this is said to be how the spot originally got its name. Boasting uninterrupted views of the Solent, this mini beach keeps warm at the slightest hint of sun, making it a highly popular destination for sunbathers.

You’ll find keen sun-lovers spending full days enjoying this notorious suntrap from Spring onwards. Be sure to arrive early in the summer months to secure your spot, and don’t forget to check the tide!

The Pyramids

A unique structure with its glass panels and pyramid inspired roof, the Pyramids is a prominent feature of Southsea’s skyline. The eye-catching building provides a multi-purpose social space, serving as a music and entertainment venue by night that showcases many genres of music, comedy shows and other performances. 

The centre also hosts a gym and high-quality fitness facilities, including regular classes in activities from yoga and pilates to HIIT and group cycling. The collective energy of a group gym class not only boosts your motivation to work out harder or longer, but also offers the opportunity for valuable social interaction. Sharing the same goals as your peers brings a sense of teamwork and mutual encouragement, even if a touch of competition occasionally creeps in. 

Catering for even the smallest community members, Exploria play area at the Pyramids is a fantastic day out for families with kids of all ages, from baby and toddler to junior. Their soft play area is enormously impressive, complete with an optional trampoline zone. Choose from just play, or play and bounce, depending what suits your family best.

Our Third Places in Today’s Society

Being indoors doesn’t always feel as isolating as it used to. Thanks to the rise of social media, these days we can connect with our friends in an instant just by pulling out our smartphones. We may have more connections than ever before, but those connections are weaker. People are simply less likely to leave the house these days unless absolutely necessary. While we gain comfort and convenience in staying indoors, we trade this off for social interaction, fresh air, new faces and light exercise. 

Community spirit seems to have migrated to our devices, a phenomenon only accelerated by the 2020 pandemic. But one thing that seldom changes, is the set of basic human psychological traits wired into all of us. Social connections are absolutely essential to our mental well-being and emotional intelligence. The freedom of a third space releases the pressure of family or workplace expectations, and liberates the conformities we face in our first and second places.

It’s easy to slip into the trap of feeling like there’s not much to do in your hometown. When you’ve lived somewhere for most of your life, you can become blind to the treasures that surround you. It can take something major, like a pandemic, to make us open our eyes to what we’re really missing out on, right on our own doorstep. 

When was the last time you visited your favourite third place? I bet the crowd there would love to see you again soon.

P.S. List your third place here and help keep it flourishing.

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