Southsea hotels

Hotels in Southsea

At the southern most point of Portsea Island lies Southsea whose origins began with the seafront Southsea Castle which was built to defend Portsmouth to its north. Book a Southsea hotel with us and discover this delightful seaside resort.

Southsea Castle and the seafront

One of Henry VIII's Device Forts constructed to protect England's southern coast, Southsea castle has seen a lot of turbulence in its time. The King himself bore witness to the sinking of the Mary Rose nearby. And during the English Civil War Parliamentarian forces captured the castle. On arriving at the fort, one of one of the first things you'll notice is the black and white hooped lighthouse that was added in the 1820s, and is still in use today.

Close to the castle is the only museum in Britain dedicated to telling the full story of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944. The town's soft shingle beach lies nearby and just behind is the Pyramids Centre which includes a tropical pool, toddler's pool and slides. The centre also has a soft adventure play area, spa and gym. Two piers flank the castle, Clarence Pier to the west and South Parade Pier, which bisects the beach, to the east. Both feature amusement arcades.

Not so common

Southsea Common is home to what is thought to be the oldest and largest elm trees in the world, including the hybrid Siberian Elm. Many of the mature elms date back to 1910 and their escape from the ravages of Dutch elm disease is a result of their relative isolation. Close to the seafront promenade and beach, the common has several paths including the Ladies' Mile which runs through the common's centre and is lined with Canary Isle Date Palms. This vast green site also contains a pitch and putt area, tennis and beach volleyball courts and is an ideal picnic spot.

Eating and drinking in Southsea

Close to South Parade Pier, Southsea Beach Café is ideal for breakfast or brunch, a refreshing tea or coffee and views of the Solent. Truffles of Southsea serves British cuisine with a French twist such as trimmed rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes. The Southsea Coffee Co describes itself pithily as a purveyor of "speciality coffee and feel-good food." It serves a good range of hot brews and tempting treats, like their butternut squash and coconut cake.

Shopping in and around Southsea

Palmerston Road's pedestrianised precinct is the town's main shopping thoroughfare, containing department stores, supermarkets and high street retailers. Marmion Road, Clarendon Road, and Osborne Road are worth a look for their interesting little independent shops. The town holds the Hampshire Farmer's Market on the third Sunday of the month as well as a Love Southsea market on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month. And then on the fourth Saturday of the month there's an antiques and collectors market.