With the south coast enjoying many warmer sunny days in recent weeks, we decided to make the most of one of Portsmouth’s quieter waterfront walks, combining coastal views, free parking and an independent cafe stop along the way.
Starting from the Mountbatten Centre car park, where visitors can currently park free for up to four hours, we followed the coastal path towards Hilsea Lines Cafe, a relaxed independent cafe positioned beside the water, who works in partnership with the South Coast Wakepark.
The walk takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes each way and offers a surprisingly peaceful route through one of the city’s less explored waterfront areas, making it ideal for anyone looking for an accessible outing without needing to travel far beyond the city.
After arriving at the cafe for a quick lunch stop, it became clear why the venue has quietly built a loyal following locally. Alongside coffees, baked goods and light lunches, the cafe has recently expanded its menu for the warmer weather with a wide range of seasonal drinks and desserts.
New additions include coolers in flavours such as dragon fruit and mango, watermelon green iced tea, peach iced tea, strawberry, basil and cucumber. The cafe has also introduced green smoothies featuring combinations including apple, kale and cucumber or spinach, pineapple and kale.
The food menu continues to focus on simple cafe favourites, including bacon and sausage baps, alongside a new fish finger bap served with rocket and tartare sauce. Fresh muffins, cakes and milkshakes also remain popular, with flavours including Oreo, Biscoff, strawberry and coffee, while the return of the sundae menu adds another option for visitors stopping by during warmer afternoons.
For those wanting to extend the walk further into Foxes Forest, the surrounding area offers several additional independent businesses within walking distance, including That Coffee Place, Urban Island Brewing Co and the award-winning Casemates Studios.
Experiences like this continue to highlight just how many independent businesses and accessible waterfront walks Portsmouth has tucked away beyond the seafront, particularly for those looking for a more slower-paced afternoon close to the sea.
