Beyond Brighton
Portsdown Hill
The view over the Solent
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Marathon · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Portsdown Hill
Portsdown Hill runs along the north of Portsmouth; its highest point reaches 120 metres, in the city council’s words. From the car parks along the top the whole Solent opens up below you: the city and its harbour, the grey warships of the naval base, Gosport across the water, the white sail of the Spinnaker Tower and, on a clear day, the hills of the Isle of Wight on the horizon. Much of the hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildflower-rich chalk grassland, and six Victorian forts line the ridge from Wallington to Farlington. Queen Alexandra Hospital stands below the southern slope at Cosham. Come in the late afternoon, when the low sun lights up the harbour.
Why it's on our list
- Views to the Isle of Wight
- Chalk grassland
- Six Victorian forts
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Portsdown Hill before you go.