Seeking a coastal escape without the crowds? Gosport, on the south coast of England, is one of the UK’s most underrated waterfront destinations. Steeped in maritime history with a scenic seafront, marinas, beaches, and nature reserves, Gosport makes for a wonderful weekend away.
Make the most of your visit, with our 48-hour itinerary taking in Gosport’s attractions, sites, local food spots, and coastline.
Day one: maritime history and marinas
Start your visit at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, which also marks the start of the Gosport Waterfront Trail, a self-guided 3km walk through historic Gosport.
Admire the exterior of the World War II era British submarine, HMS Alliance, which juts out onto Haslar Marina. If the weather is wet, take cover inside to learn about life beneath the waves. Otherwise, set off on the Waterfront Trail, following the brick pathway north towards the town.
Across the Haslar Bridge, The Creek at Haslar Marina is a great place to have breakfast or coffee to fuel your walk, or venture a little further to the waterfront at The Boathouse café at Gosport Marina taking in sites along the way including the moat and ramparts that were put in place in the Napoleonic War period and the Haslar Marina Millennium Pier which looks across the water to Portsmouth.
Continue north to The Royal Clarence Yard – once one of the country’s premier
naval victualling establishments with a rum store, a granary, a bakery – where marina restaurants Arty’s and The Old Bakehouse both make for excellent lunch stops.
Cross over the Millennium Bridge and finish your walk at Priddy’s Hard, where you can either spend the afternoon visiting the Explosion! The Museum of Naval Firepower, or take a tour of the Powder Monkey Brewery Co, a brewery and taproom housed in a historic gunpowder store.
Finish the day with a memorable dinner at The Lightship – a unique restaurant set aboard a restored 1940s lightship at Haslar Marina.
Spend your second morning at Alver Valley Country Park, a large green space with woodland, wetlands, and wildlife trails perfect for cycling, birdwatching, and relaxing nature walks and a great place for a picnic. If you’re interested in local history, pay a visit to the nearby Little Woodham living history village – a recreated 17th-century village where volunteers demonstrate historic crafts.
Then head to the coast for some sea air at Lee-on-the-Solent beach, where you can take a dip in the sea and unwind in The Solent Sauna, or visit the Hovercraft Museum to explore the world’s largest collection of hovercraft.
If you’re feeling energetic, walk or cycle south along the coast until you reach Stokes Bay, or take the Solent First Bus Route number 5 bus service, which provides travel from Lee-on-the-Solent to Stokes Bay, running every 10–15 minutes.
Finish your day watching the windsurfers and sailing boats at sunset at Stokes Bay, and enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight at Pebbles Fish & Wine Bar.
Where to stay
The Anglesey Hotel – a charming Georgian terrace hotel on The Crescent in Alverstoke and near the seafront at Stokes Bay.
Alverbank Hotel – a coastal hotel in a beautiful Grade II* listed building with gardens looking across the Solent at Stokes Bay.
Solent Retreat – a top-rated one-bedroom Airbnb annex, located in the village of Alverstoke, a short walk to Stokes Bay Beach.
Premier Inn Gosport – a comfortable and affordable hotel close to Fort Brockhurst.
Travelodge Gosport – a central accommodation option conveniently located on Gosport High Street.
How to get to Gosport
Getting to Gosport is easy, with excellent transport links including the Gosport Ferry connecting Gosport directly to Portsmouth in just 4 minutes and the train connections of Portsmouth Harbour Station, quick and convenient bus connections, easy car travel from the M27 with plenty of parking, and excellent options to get around by cycling, walking, and bus services.
Find out more about Travelling to Gosport