14 – Fratton to Portsmouth and Southsea

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 14 is 4.5 miles long and takes you from Fratton to Portsmouth and Southsea railway station. It is wheelchair accessible.

Enjoy a day at the seaside with all the usual treats. When you have had your fill of ice cream, there are museums to explore and lots to keep the whole family happy. The route takes you to Southsea seafront, a traditional ‘seaside’ with beach, pier, park, aquarium, and museums. There are shops, cafes and pubs along much of the route. If little feet get tired, there are buses every 10 minutes to get back to the station.

PATH CLOSURES – Special events are sometimes held on Southsea Common during which public access is restricted. You may need to divert from the route as described at these times.

Start and End

Fratton/Portsmouth and Southsea

Distance

4.5 miles

Time

2 hours 15 mins

Grade

1/10 - Flat and paved throughout.

Accessibility

Push/wheelchair accessible

Route Map
Download GPX File

Upload the GPX file to your walking app

Walk Instructions

  1. Exit the station via platform 1 and turn immediately left. Continue forward beside the railway to the end of the road (Selbourne Terrace).
  2. Turn left to cross the rail bridge and then bear left to the light-controlled crossing.
  3. Cross the road, turning right on the other side, and then bear immediately left along Fawcett Road (unsigned).
  4. Pass the many and varied privately owned shops and cafes until you reach a mini-roundabout with the Fawcett Inn on a corner. Turn left.
  5. Follow the road round as it bends to the right and past the Golden Eagle pub.
  6. At the end of Fawcett Road, turn left into Albert Road.
  7. At the prominent tower of the Methodist Church, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and continue forward for a further 150 yards to the Festing Pub. Turning right into Festing Road.
  8. Cross two side roads (The Lane and Cransewater Avenue) and continue forward to the third turning, Craneswater Park. Turn right along Cranswater Park crossing to the opposite pavement as you do so.
  9. Bear left and left again to continue along Craneswater Park.
  10. Cross over towards the lake. The entrance to the park is just to the right of the bus shelter ahead. Turn left to follow the lakeside path.
  11. In addition to the ‘swan boats’ on the lake, there are many other things to see and do in the park. These include Portsmouth Natural History Museum (with its butterfly house), children’s activity playgrounds, a model village, a cafe, gardens, and former defensive ramparts offering good views out to sea. There are seats throughout the park.
    After exploring the park, return to the cafe and continue beside the lake to the far corner.
  12. Pass the public toilets on your left and continue round the end of the lake to use the ramp ahead to exit the park. Turn left past the bus stops and then right along Easteny Esplanade (un-signed).
  13. Use the light-controlled crossing to cross over to the promenade and continue forward towards Southsea Pier.
  14. Continue past the pier and keep forward along the promenade when the road turns in land.
  15. On reaching the glass and steel activity centre on your right, bear right away from the sea in front.
  16. Bear left along the path towards the castle.
    (This route is step free. There are several other paths along the promenade and over the defensive ramparts. Most of these are wheelchair accessible but some ramps are steep. Feel free to explore, aiming to end up at the fountains in front of the entrance to Southsea Castle close to the black and white lighthouse.)
  17. Turn right beside the fountains and continue forwards along the broad path (Brian Kidd Way) to the road.
  18. Cross the road and then continue forward along Avenue De Caen. (There is a crossing slightly to your right.)
  19. At the end of Avenue De Caen, continue forward into Palmerston Road. (There is a crossing slightly to your right.)
  20. Cross Clarendon Road to continue forward through the precinct (Osborne Road).
  21. Continue through the precinct to Saint Jude’s Church and turn left along Kent Road (un-signed).
  22. At the end of Kent Road you emerge opposite a corner of the common. Turn right into Castle Road.
    (There are one-of-a-kind shops and eateries here that are hard to define. For example, the ‘Pie and Vinyl’ is exactly ‘what it says on the tin’.)
  23. Pass just to the right of the black and white clock tower to keep forward along Castle Road.
  24. At the end of Castle Road, turn right and cross at pedestrian crossing. Then turn immediately left into Green Road.
  25. Turn second left into King Street.
  26. Continue forward through the pedestrianised part of King Street and then turn right at the end into Eldon Street.
  27. Eldon Street becomes Middle Street. At the end of Middle Street bear right to cross the main road at the light-controlled crossing and then turn right and first left to follow the wide path to between the Courts of Justice and Crown House.
  28. The path bends gently to the left and emerges in front of the Portsmouth Guildhall. Pass the Central Library on your left and continue forward to descend to the lower level. There is a choice of lift and steps.
  29. Turn right through the square passing between the Guildhall on your left and Queen Victoria’s Memorial on your right. Continue forward through the ‘tunnel’ under the glass and concrete building ahead.
  30. Cross the road at the light-controlled crossing and continue forward under the bridge to find Portsmouth and Southsea Station on your right.

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.