21 of the best playgrounds in Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham

So to give a hand to families wanting a bit more normality, we've brought together this list of some of the best playgrounds in Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham and Gosport.

This selection has been made using information from each council area’s website, which in Portsmouth and Havant’s case gives an in-depth checklist of what facilities each play area has – from play equipment, to 5-a-side football goals, to basketball court and more.

If you're looking to try a new playground, the lists containing this information are available to view yourself by visiting each local authority’s website.

Please also check each council's webpage for a breakdown of which playgrounds are gradually reopening as lockdown eases.

Here’s our breakdown, by council area, of some of the play areas which have the most to offer.

:: PORTSMOUTH: Allaway Avenue Play Area, Paulsgrove

This playground offers seven pieces of play equipment, 5-a-side football, a basketball court and a place to skate and ride a BMX.

People who visited previously said it was a good playground for a longer visit, with plenty of benches to sit on.

It's located off Allaway Avenue. You can use the postcode PO6 4HG to find it.

:: PORTSMOUTH: Baffins Pond Play Area

This playground has been rated 4.5 stars out of 5 after 32 reviews on Google.

It has 10 pieces of play equipment, a tennis court, and a space to play basketball and 5-a-side football.

You’ll find it by heading to 112 Tangier Rd, Portsmouth PO3 6PG.

:: PORTSMOUTH: Stamshaw Park Play Area

This play area has eight pieces of play equipment, a court for 5-a-side football and basketball, as well as a skate park.

You can get there by putting Western Terrace, Stamshaw, PO2 8JX into your satnav.

:: PORTSMOUTH: Kingston Park

Commonly known as Kingston Recreation Ground, this site has nine pieces of play equipment, as well as facilities for football, basketball and BMXing.

As previously reported it also a new café, toilets and outdoor gym equipment unveiled in a collaboration with Sheffield-based start-up Parkletics.

To get there, head to PO1 5PT.

:: PORTSMOUTH : Milton Park

This site has a whopping 14 pieces of play equipment. It also boasts basketball, football and tennis facilities and a skatepark suitable for boards and BMXs.

More than 700 people have rated it on Google Reviews and it has a rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.

It’s just off Milton Road, and you’ll find it by going to the postcode PO4 8PR.

:: PORTSMOUTH: Bransbury Park

Located just off Bransbury Road, this site has seven pieces of play equipment, a turfed 5-a-side football cage, basketball courts, 11-a-side football goals and its own skatepark.

Find it using postcode PO4 9SU.

:: HAVANT: Diamond Jubilee Recreation Ground, Emsworth

According to Havant Borough Council's Have Some Fun! guide, this site is one of the borough’s best equipped.

It has open space, a play area and football, basketball and tennis facilities.

You’ll find it off Horndean Road or by using the postcode PO10 7PT if you're visiting by car.

:: HAVANT: Waterlooville Recreation Ground

This site ticks every box of Havant Borough Council’s guide to play areas.

It has play equipment, football, basketball and tennis facilities, a multi-use games area, dirt jumps and open space.

You’ll find Waterlooville Rec at Rowlands Avenue, Waterlooville, PO7 7HU.

SEE ALSO: 7 scenic destinations near Portsmouth for a weekend break

:: HAVANT: Hayling Park

Hayling Park has a play area, football and tennis facilities, a multi-use games area and plenty of open space.

You’ll find it at postcode PO11 0HB.

:: HAVANT: Cowplain Recreation Ground

This site has 60 parking spaces and is located at Padenll Road in Waterlooville. You’ll find it using the postcode PO8 8EH.

It boasts a play area, football, basketball and tennis facilities, a skate park and lots of open space.

:: HAVANT: Bidbury Mead Recreation Ground

Visitors to this site can enjoy a play area, football pitches, basketball and tennis courts and plenty of open space. It also has 40 parking spaces.

Its full address is Bidbury Mead Recreation Park Ground, Bidbury Lane, Havant, PO9 3JG.

:: FAREHAM: Blackbrook Park Play Area

Fans of this site, which was given a host of improvements in 2016, have given it a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google.

For younger children, it has a multi play unit including slides, a cradle swing, a space climber, swings, a trim trail, a roundabout and pick-up sticks.

For those slightly older the so-called ‘teen shelter’, skate ramp, or ball court with a basketball hoop may be better options.

You can access the play area off Blackbrook Road or by Friars Pond Close, Place House Close or Chatsworth Close if you're walking.

:: FAREHAM: Eastern Parade Play Area

This site has a rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 on Google after 21 reviews.

It has two football goals, a cradle-seat swing and flat-seat swings, a seesaw, a roundabout and a springy.

There's also a castle-themed multi-play unit and a multi-play unit just for toddlers.

You can find it at 15 Eastern Parade, or by using the postcode PO16 0RL.

SEE ALSO: 19 places in Portsmouth you should visit with the family

:: FAREHAM: Park Lane Play Area

This is one of the borough’s newer playgrounds and can be found in Park Lane, Fareham, with access off Leigh Road, Colenso Road, Miller Drive and Byron Close.

It has an inclusive so-called spin mee roundabout, cradle swings, an inclusive mirage swing, a multi-climbing unit for toddlers, a springy animal, a trampoline, flat swings and an inclusive basket swing.

Other features include a place to skate, a junior multi-climbing unit, a trim-trail, pick-up climbing sticks, a seesaw and a picnic and seating area.

:: FAREHAM: Funtley Recreation Ground Play Area

This play area in the north of the borough is located in Funtley Road and also has access off Funtley Lane.

It has an outdoor gym and its equipment includes seating and a shelter, a football goal, a cradle-seat swing, a flat-seat swing, inclusive basket and mirage swings, two multi-play units, a rotator, a climbing wall and a trim-trail.

It also has its own outdoor gym with an air skier, a bike, a ski stepper and a rower.

:: FAREHAM: Crossfell Walk Play Area

This site, in the south of Fareham, is in Bishopsfield Road. You can access it from Butser Walk, Biggin Walk and Crossfell Walk.

It has a basket swing, two junior multi-play units, a toddler multi-play unit, a roundabout, a seesaw, a multi-use games area and a play panel.

:: GOSPORT: Gosport Park Play Area

This site is located off Park Road.

It has the following equipment: SMP Spring Cat, Kompan Bike, two bay swings, two cradle swings, two flat-seat swings a pirouette, a senior multi unit and an Adidas basketball area. It also has a safety surface comprising bark, tarmac and tiles.

:: GOSPORT: Privett Park Play Area

Also the home of Gosport Borough Football Club, you’ll find this site off Privett Road, at the postcode PO12 3TN.

It has a paddle boat, a mast, two flat-seat swings, two cradle-swings and an Adidas basketball area.

It also has a safe surface comprising bark and tiles.

MORE HERE: Portsmouth's hospitality businesses are booming thanks to British staycations

:: GOSPORT: Griffin Walk Play Area

You’ll find this fun play area in Griffin Walk and at the postcode PO13 8AX.

Its wealth of play equipment includes a multi-play unit for toddlers, a one bay swing and two cradle-seat-swing unit, a one bay swing and two flat-seat swing unit, an aerial slide and a teen shelter.

Its safe surfaced has been wet-poured.

:: GOSPORT: Forton Recreation Ground Play Area

Last but by no means least, this play area has received 4 stars out of 5 after 40 reviews.

It has two flat-seat swings, two cradle-seat swings, a seesaw, a springy animal and two junior multi-play units.

You can access the play ground off Coulmere Road or by visiting the postcode PO12 4SJ.

For more great things to do locally, visit our website's brand new Staycation section.

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