Free, cheap and great value things to do in Portsmouth

The cost of living crisis has forced many of us to rethink our household budgets - with rising prices in the shops and increases at the petrol pumps making it that bit tougher to get out and enjoy a short break. If you're having to watch the pennies it doesn't mean you have to miss out on a trip to Portsmouth, though. There's a host of free and low-cost things to see and do all year round.

Here's what you can enjoy on a budget at the Great Waterfront City.

   

Free things to do in Portsmouth

They say the best things in life are free, and that's certainly the case in the eyes of many visitors! Our research regularly tells us that people simply have to take in a trip to the seafront; it's not a visit to Portsmouth without!

Whether you want to make the most of some sunny weather, enjoy a gentle stroll with stunning views, or take a family bike ride, Southsea Seafront is the place to be. You can relax all day at the water's edge and, if you bring a picnic, it won't cost you a penny.

It's a similar story over on Southsea Common. For generations, families have packed up some food and drink (plus a frisbee or football) and spent a happy day on the common. With a huge, grassed area running alongside the beach there's always space, whether you want to enjoy some fresh air during the daytime, or even get everyone together for a sundowner.

As well as the popular Southsea Common there's also Milton Common, Hilsea Lines, Alexandra Park, Great Salterns, Canoe Lake and more - offering an abundance of choice.

If the weather's not so warm, stretch your legs with a walk along the Millennium Promenade. Follow the chain motif in the pavement to traverse Portsmouth's history, where information boards tell you all about historic battles and momentous occasions that took place right there over the years.

The free things to do aren't just limited to outside activities, of course. A number of the city's top museums offer free entry all year round. Take a walk around Henry VIII's Southsea Castle and stand where he watched the Mary Rose sink; go back through the millennia at Cumberland House, where you can also see beautiful butterflies during the summer months; or discover the city's rich history at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. All three are open all summer long (with Cumberland House and Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery open year-round), totally free.

Even if you want a day out without cost, there's still much to see and do at Gunwharf Quays. Though most known for its shops and restaurants, the waterfront outlet centre is also home to a contemporary art gallery, Aspex Portsmouth. Head inside to see the ever-changing programme from local, national and international artists. Whilst you're at Gunwharf Quays you can also enjoy a walk along the water's edge, let the children loose on the play park, or even discover the site's rich history - with it previously having been a munitions store, military school and training facility.

It’s a similar story up at Port Solent, where you can while away the hours browsing the shops if you'd like, or otherwise just enjoy a calm stroll around the picturesque marina. There are also plenty of free events for the kids running throughout school holidays, plus a huge - and free - car park.

The family fun continues at the city's Splash Pools, open seven days a week during the summer season. With free pools at Southsea and Hilsea, it's the perfect way to cool down on a warm summer's day, and the youngsters are sure to love it.

A seaside city would be nothing without a pier, right? Well, how about two?! With South Parade Pier and Clarence Pier you're spoilt for choice. Head out to the end of South Parade Pier for stunning views across the Solent and back towards the city - and take some funny photos to remember your trip with the traditional seaside face-in-hole boards.

If it's history you're after, look no further than Fort Nelson over the north of the city, or the Hotwalls Studios in the south.

Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries’ national collection of artillery and historic cannon. Based out of an old Palmerston fortification overlooking Portsmouth, the fort contains an impressive array of heavy artillery, some of which even take part in live firings. Whilst visitors have to pay for parking, entry to Fort Nelson is free.

Meanwhile, down at the Hotwalls Studios you can see another transformation of an old fortification, with the harbour defences now turned into fantastic studios for artists, designers and creatives. Take a walk along the Parade Ground and peer in to see designer-makers honing their craft right there in their studios. You can also take a trip up to the old Round Tower for views of the busy shipping channel as ferries, catamaran, yachts and cruise liners come and go.

   

Low-cost things to do in Portsmouth

On top of all the free things to do, there are a host of other top activities and places to visit that do charge, but won't break the bank. Here's just some of the things to enjoy for not too much expense.

The D-Day Story puts visitors in the shoes of the brave men who took part in the Normandy Landings of 1944, which totally changed the complexion of World War 2. Through personal testimonies, visitors hear from those who were actually involved just what was going through their mind as they set off for France.

Family tickets to The D-Day Story start at £35.80, and this includes a trip on board LCT 7074 - the biggest and newest addition to the museum. The Landing Craft Tank is the last survivor of its kind from D-Day and was restored in a multi-million-pound project. It now stands on Southsea Seafront and is where your visit to The D-Day Story begins.

Another top attraction is the Spinnaker Tower - not just a great day out but a genuine icon of modern Portsmouth.

Head up to the view decks via the high-speed lift to enjoy views out across Portsmouth, the Solent, Isle of Wight and across the South Coast. You can also test your nerves with a walk across the glass floor, or feel the sea air in the open-top View Deck 3. Family tickets are £48.80, which includes as many return visits as you like that day. Furthermore, there are often special events and guest appearances running during the school holidays, with many being included in your ticket price. Keep an eye on the events pages for full details.

Take an underwater voyage at Blue Reef Aquarium, located right along the seaside on Clarence Esplanade. Inside you'll find stingrays, seahorses, clownfish, turtles, pufferfish, piranha, crabs, lionfish and loads more besides. There's also a splash pool in its seafront garden area for you to really make the most of your visit.

A family ticket to Blue Reef Aquarium will cost £44, and you can come and go as much as you like during the day. The aquarium also permits Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner Vouchers on purchases for standard, junior or concession tickets (but not family passes).

Great value things to do in Portsmouth

If you're looking to really make the most of your trip to Portsmouth and have some money to spend, there's lots to enjoy that will still provide great value.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is where you'll find the ships that helped established Britannia's rule of the waves, counting among its stock the iconic HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose. Not only can you get up close to many of these ships, but actually step on board - putting yourself at the exact spot where history was made and great battles were decided.

A family ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard may come in at £95 (one adult and up to three children) or £120 (two adults and up to three children), but there's no doubting you get a lot for your money.

This Ultimate Explorer ticket grants you access to all the dockyard attractions, not just in Portsmouth but also the Submarine and Explosion museums over at Gosport - in addition to the Boathouse 4 boatbuilding exhibition and the Victory Gallery. You also get a harbour tour and access to all the site's restaurants, cafes and shops.

What’s more, this ticket grants access not just for a day or week, but an entire year - meaning you get unlimited visits to the Dockyard attractions for 12 months from your first visit.

If you're living nearby, or plan a number of trips to Portsmouth, you can average this out for a very low per-day-out cost - making it excellent value for money.

As ever, the Things To Do section on our website is your one-stop shop for full details on all the top activities, attractions and days out for you to enjoy at the Great Waterfront City. Start building your itinerary today!

(Please note, prices are subject to change and may have increased - please check with the specific attraction you wish to visit before travelling).