13 – Hilsea to Fratton

Description

The Hills to Harbour Trail is a series of self-guided walking routes that link the stations along the railway line between Guildford and Portsmouth. You can walk between any pair of stations.

Walk 13 is 5.2 miles long and takes you from Hilsea to Fratton railway station.

Meander the creaky waters of the eastern coastal path to Milton Locks, a disused lock on Portsmouth’s former canal from Guildford. Then head in land past the home of Pompey, Portsmouth’s Football Club.

There are no facilities at Hilsea Station. Walk about half a mile (to direction point 3) for a large supermarket. There are then other refreshment opportunities (mainly pubs) at points along the route.

Start and End

Hilsea/Fratton

Distance

5.2 miles

Time

2 hours 30 mins

Grade

2/10 - Flat and generally surfaced.

Accessibility

Push/wheelchair accessible (except significant detour for wheelchairs leaving Hilsea from northbound trains.)

Route Map
Download GPX File

Upload the GPX file to your walking app

Walk Instructions

  1. Leave Hilsea Station via the Portsmouth bound platform (2) and continue straight across the road to follow the path ahead that runs alongside the elevated roadway.
  2. At the roundabout, you are going to continue forward along Anchorage Road. First cross Williams Road (ahead). The pavement on the other side of Anchorage Road is more pleasant for walking so cross to your left and then continue along Anchorage Road.
  3. At the next roundabout, use the crossing point slightly to your left to cross the road and then cross the road to your right to continue along Anchorage Road on the far pavement.
  4. Use the crossing point to cross the busy Eastern Road. Turn left and immediately right towards the sea.
  5. Keep to the right-hand pavement and then bear right along the coastal path. You are now following the Solent Way.
  6. Bear right across the road to continue along the Solent Way.
    (There is a viewing point with seats just to your left here.)
  7. Follow the Solent Way for a further 2 miles passing The People’s Memorial on your right. By the sailing club, turn the corner to the right to arrive at Milton Locks. This is a disused lock on a former canal system which linked Guildford to Portsmouth.
  8. Continue forward along Locksway Road (un-signed.) You are still on the Solent Way and following the approximate line of the old canal.
    (To your left is a pub with good views of the harbour.)
  9. When Locksway Road bends to the right, continue forward for about 10 yards and then take the path to your left next to the Meryl Road bus stop. The path bends immediately right behind the houses.
  10. Keep following the path for about a quarter of a mile until it emerges by a road junction. Bear right to the light-controlled crossing and cross the road at to the reservation. On the reservation, turn to your right and cross towards Milton Park. Continue forward into the park.
  11. Once in the park, bear left.
  12. Follow the path parallel to the road on your left. At the T-junction of paths, turn right towards the brick buildings in the middle of the park.
  13. As you approach the buildings you will notice that one is an old, thatched barn. Turn left towards the children’s playground and then immediately right between the playground and the barn.
  14. Turn left and immediately right to follow the path with the tennis courts on your right.
  15. At the end of the tennis courts, continue forward to exit the park into Priory Crescent (un-signed.) Cross the road and turn left.
  16. Turn third right into Carisbrooke Road.
  17. Keep forward at the barrier to motor vehicles.
  18. At the end of Carisbrooke Road, turn right and then, at what might appear at first sight to be a dead end, turn left along a narrow alley just in front of the entrance to Fratton Park.
  19. On emerging from the alley, go straight ahead to the roundabout and turn left along Fratton Way (unsigned).
  20. Cross at the light-controlled crossing and continue along Fratton Way.
    (There is a supermarket and a number of fast-food outlets in this area.)
  21. At the roundabout, turn right along Goldsmith Avenue (unsigned).
  22. Continue along Goldsmith Avenue for approximately 500 yards to find the pedestrian bridge to Fratton Station on your right.
    (For level access, continue forward to the roundabout, turn right to go over the railway bridge, and them immediately right again to double back to the main station entrance.)

Safe Walking

Walking is a sociable activity so travel with someone else if you can. It’s also best for safety. Follow the usual walking guidelines about clothing, footwear, drinks, food, and first aid kit. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back

Refreshments

Many stations have opportunities nearby for refreshments when you arrive. The towns have cafes and pubs, and there are some along the route as well. They may have more restricted opening than those in London, particularly for serving food, so check websites for opening times when planning.

Reporting footpath issues

The Hills to Harbour Trail crosses three counties, all of which have good, on-line facilities for reporting rights of way issues. If you find something that needs fixing, please report it on the appropriate webpage.

Search for “report rights of way” followed by the county name.