From maritime heritage to outdoor spaces and community spirit, Gosport has plenty of budget-friendly days out.
This naval-rich peninsula by The Solent is full of history, hidden gems, scenic surroundings, and local culture — and plenty of it is free.
1. Head to the beach
Gosport has some wonderful beaches perfect for a free day out at any time of the year. Pack a picnic, dip your toes in the water, fly a kite, walk beside the water, or simply sit and take in the views across The Solent towards the Isle of Wight, best enjoyed at sunset.
Stokes Bay’s pebble shores offer a quieter alternative to many of England’s south coast beaches, and Lee-on-the-Solent beach is a lovely place for families with plenty of facilities.
Find out more about Gosport’s beaches.
2. Explore a heritage fort
Image credit English Heritage
Gosport is steeped in maritime history, encapsulated by its impressive military forts and heritage buildings that still stand today.
Gosport’s five Palmerston Forts – Fort Brockhurst, Fort Grange, Fort Rowner, Fort Elson and Fort Gomer – were built in the 19th Century to protect Portsmouth harbour from invasion.
Fort Brockhurst is now under the custodianship of English Heritage and is open and free to visit on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from April to October.
Discover more heritage attractions in Gosport
3. Discover historic Gosport on the Waterfront Trail
Delve even deeper into Gosport’s fascinating maritime history with the Gosport Waterfront Trail, a self-guided 3km walk through historic Gosport.
Start at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Fort Blockhouse and follow the brick and stone chain trail set in the pavement, taking in sights including Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina, and The Royal Clarence Yard before ending at Priddy’s Hard Heritage Area.
4. Visit a free museum
You can delve into Gosport’s history for free in the town centre at the Gosport Museum & Art Gallery, which holds regular exhibitions and displays celebrating local art and history in its Display Space gallery. There’s also an interactive Play Gallery designed for under-fives.
A few minutes’ walk away, the Gosport Discovery Centre has free exhibitions, events, and activities for children and families.
5. Get outdoors at Alver Valley Country Park
With its woodlands, meadows, and wetlands, Alver Valley Country Park is a fantastic free green space for all to enjoy.
Follow the Alver Valley trail, taking in apple dumpling bridge, and do some wildlife watching along the way. Kids will love exploring the open spaces, especially the large play area, and it’s a great spot for a family picnic.
6. Parks and play areas in Gosport
As well as the large play area at Alver Valley Country Park, Gosport has an excellent variety of play areas all free for young children to enjoy, including a great one at Walpole Park which also has a boating lake, open spaces, and gardens.
In the summer months, the Gosport Splash Park at Stokes Bay and the Lee-on-the-Solent Splash Park are perfect places for young children to play and keep cool.
Find out more about Gosport’s parks.
7. Go on a budget-friendly bike ride
Getting out on a bike is one of the most enjoyable and free ways to discover Gosport, and the former Gosport to Fareham railway line is a great option with over two miles of quiet cycle track and a further two miles of dedicated cycle path following the Eclipse Busway.
You can also cycle along the coast – Marine Parade in Lee-on-the-Solent is a flat, shared cycle and foot path with sea views, and you can extend your ride by continuing east to Stokes Bay.
Discover more cycling in Gosport
8. Step out on the Millennium Walk
Take a stroll or bike ride along the Millennium Walk, a scenic brick pathway along Gosport’s waterfront that was built in 1999 to celebrate the new century.
Take in sights along the way, including the Millennium Bridge, Priddy’s Hard and the Explosion Museum, Royal Clarence Yard, the former RN Granary & Bakery, the Rum Store, and Queen Victoria’s private railway remnants at Victoria Quay, along with views of Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower and out across The Solent to the Isle of Wight.
Discover more walks in Gosport
9. Spot ships on The Solent
The Solent is one of the busiest waterways in the UK, and Gosport has some of the best stretches of coastline from which to enjoy a seaside view of all the action.
Watch ferries, naval ships, and yachts sail by at prime viewing spots like the Millennium Walk and Lee-on-the-Solent and visit during events like Cowes Week or the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (which has its base for the Clipper Ventures Fleet in Gosport) for spectacular free viewing from the shore.
10. Free festivals and events in Gosport
Throughout the year, Gosport hosts a range of fun and free events for all to enjoy.
In May, the Gosport Marine Festival – which also includes the Tales from the Sea Shanty Festival – is an annual community event celebrating marine activities, heritage, and culture in Gosport.
There’s also the Sunrise Party in the Park and Sunset Party in the Park in Walpole Park and the Summer in Lee charity event in Lee-on-the-Solent each summer (dates for 2026 to be confirmed).
Every September, Gosport Heritage Open Days offer the chance to visit heritage sites often not open to the public for free.
In the town centre, the Gosport High Street market is on every Tuesday and Saturday, the Gosport High Street Christmas Lights Switch On takes place on 29 November 2025, and on selected holidays there’s free High Street entertainment including performances and crafts including Christmas events happening on 6, 13, and 20 December 2025.
Discover more of Gosport