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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Portsmouth before a ferry crossing

14 replies

founderof4 · 15/08/2022 16:51

We're getting the overnight ferry on Friday (dep time 22.45) and want to arrive early, grab something to eat and have a run about before we get on board. Any advice on what to do/what not to do, where to eat? our kids are 11yrs down to 4 yrs if that makes a difference...
Thanks

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/08/2022 16:54

Gunwharf Quays has some nice family friendly restaurants.

squashyhat · 15/08/2022 16:56

Gunwharf Quays is a short walk from the ferry terminal in one direction (restaurants and shops) and Old Portsmouth and Southsea Common in the other (go up on the harbour wall to watch the boats and run about on the common).

gogohmm · 15/08/2022 17:04

We usually go to port solent area as it's an easy drive to the ferry.

TreesAtSea · 15/08/2022 17:14

If you'll have a fair amount of time, your children (and of course you!) may enjoy a wander around the Historic Dockyard (HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum etc), just to the west of Portsmouth Harbour rail station. Even if you don't have time to visit the attractions, you can still see a lot while just strolling. Would echo recommendations for Gunwharf Quays and Southsea Common too.

Twizbe · 15/08/2022 17:14

Gunwharf Quays. We spent a day here waiting for an IOW ferry.

Lots of parking, family friendly restaurants, space to run around, spinnaker tower and a bowling alley.

Parpophone · 15/08/2022 17:23

squashyhat · 15/08/2022 16:56

Gunwharf Quays is a short walk from the ferry terminal in one direction (restaurants and shops) and Old Portsmouth and Southsea Common in the other (go up on the harbour wall to watch the boats and run about on the common).

If the OP is talking about a cross channel ferry then Gunwharf Quays/Old Portsmouth definitely isn't a short walk.

IOW ferry then fair enough (do they run that late?)

waltzingparrot · 15/08/2022 17:32

Is it the ferry abroad or ferry to isle of Wight ?

Gunwharf convenient for Isle of Wight
Port Solent convenient for Continental Port.

itsgettingweird · 15/08/2022 17:36

Right on the roundabout by the ferry port is a pub with a soft play area if the weather is against you!

Or gunwharf is good. About 5-10 minutes drive.

Port Solent good for food and a wander but isn't as good as gunwharf.

It'll be dark quite early but if your planning on coming down about 5ish the the town centre has Victoria park or there's south sea seafront with large common and an adventure playground and canoe lake.

ThreeB · 15/08/2022 17:45

Whitely retail centre in Fareham is just off the motorway and has lots of restaurants and a kids climbing wall centre if you really want to tire them out.

TwoBlondes · 15/08/2022 17:46

Thé Briny restaurant in Southsea and the D Day museum

Original poster
founderof4 · 15/08/2022 21:06

Thanks so much so far. Brilliant advice. We're getting the ferry to Caen 😄

OP posts:
myrtilles · 15/08/2022 23:20

Gunwharf but allow plenty of time to go there and get back for the ferry. It is a drive rather than a walk.

CampervanKween · 16/08/2022 20:54

We got the ferry to Caen. Fabulous crossing. Spent an entire day at the Historic Dockyard. We thought it was amazing. In fact we could have spent 2 days there, there was so much to see and do. We camped overnight then got the morning ferry.

Phineyj · 16/08/2022 20:56

PlayZone
023 9237 9999
maps.app.goo.gl/2QyTUgBoaskcwQd58 we always go here and eat their cafe food.

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