14 fabulous free things to do in Portsmouth this summer to keep your family entertained on a budget

Portsmouth is packed with lots of fabulous things to do which will not break the bank and will help to keep you and your family entertained this summer!

Museums and fabulous outdoor attractions are among the many places to visit which will mean you will simply not have time to get bored - and will be going home for a rest!

Here are some ideas for you:

A trip to the seaside: An oldie but often the best and one which as an island city we would be negligent to not begin with. It costs pretty much nothing for some family fun at the seaside with plenty of space for fun and relaxation on the shingle - with the sandy areas peeking through at low tide. RNLI lifeguards will be on duty seven days a week. Portsmouth and Southsea voluntary lifeguards will also be operating at weekends, at locations along Eastney beach (to the east of South Parade Pier). You can take your own picnic or splash out on an ice-cream if the mood takes you too! And of course there is Southsea Common which has a play park and plenty of space to kick a football or fly a kite!

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery: Learn about the city's rich history completely free of charge at this fabulous city gem in the adeptly named Museum Road. You can take a walk through Portsmouth’s heritage, see fascinating works of art, trace the history of Portsmouth FC and a whole load more besides. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays), 10am to 5pm. Last admission is 4.30pm.

Old Portsmouth: The tiny area of the city is packed with history but also offers lots of things which can pass the summer hours away. You can take a wander through the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth where you can find two of Portsmouth’s oldest pubs - The Wellington and The Dolphin - who both claim to be the oldest using slightly different criteria. There are also a number of pubs which look out across the Camber and towards Gunwharf which is the perfect spot for watching the world go by and the comings and goings of Portsmouth Harbour. You can also check out the Hotwalls Studios, where you can watch local artists making and selling their crafts as well as explore walls themselves as well as climb to the top of the Round Tower for the best views. Don’t forget to find the Horatio Nelson Statue off Grand Parade, and if you want a longer walk then follow the Millennium Walk towards Old Curtain Moat and beyond!

Adventure playgrounds: Portsmouth has six free, exciting adventure playgrounds and discover a world of opportunity for children in Buckland; Landport; Paulsgrove; Portsea; Somerstown; and Stamshaw. Aimed at 6-13 year olds, every playground has a huge climbing structure designed to test agility, balance and imagination. They can whizz along zip lines, cool off in splash pools, get messy in sand-pits, show their artistic talents with arts and crafts, build dens, climb trees, dress-up and much more. Kids can also enjoy: splash pools, sports, sand pits, arts and crafts, cookery, games areas, wood workshops and more. Adventure playgrounds are open during term time and school holidays. Younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Opening times at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/leisure/sports-and-activities/playgrounds-and-skate-parks/adventure-playgrounds

Splash parks: Portsmouth has two fabulous free splash parks which are perfect for family fun for those with small children. One is in Hilsea next to the newly-opened Lido, and the other is in Southsea opposite the D-Day Story Museum meaning both are near other parks and facilities if you wanted to have a longer day out. There is also a small splash pad within the park at Canoe Lake as well as in front of Southsea Castle. They will now be open until September seven days a week from 11am to 6pm which is perfect for your little water babies.

Aspex Gallery: This is a real hidden gem in Portsmouth which many residents do not know about - and really should. This free gallery in Gunwharf Quays features displays of fabulous artwork as well as having a brilliant little cafe. It also runs free creative workshops suitable for the whole family for all ages, interests and abilities. Drop in and take part any time from 11am to 1pm every Saturday!

Southsea Castle: Follow in the footsteps of King Henry VIII by visiting Southsea Castle, the spot from which he is said to have watched The Mary Rose sink in 1545 during the Battle of the Solent. The castle is open, free of charge, Tuesdays to Sundays between April and October each year. Visitors can explore the keep, enjoy panoramic views from the top of the Keep to the Isle of Wight and Solent, then enjoy a bite to eat in The Courtyard which is open all year.

Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson: With over 19 acres of tunnels, ramparts and artillery to explore, Fort Nelson is a space where imaginations can run wild and is certainly a place you can visit again and again. Overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, this restored Victorian fortress is packed with artillery from across the world. Highlights include a 15th-century Turkish bombard cannon, a gigantic 200-tonne railway howitzer, and the infamous ‘Big Babylon’ Iraqi supergun. There’s plenty for all ages to enjoy, including free family activities, an onsite café and regularly changing exhibitions. It is free to visit (parking charges apply) but can get busy so prebooking is advised.

Rose Gardens and Canoe Lake: This area of Southsea is well-known for family fun with a great park, cafe, splash pad, toilets and barbeque areas which means it is perfect for families. If you are looking to keep costs down then watching the swans and crabbing in Canoe Lake is a perfect activity for you, as well as a stroll around the gardens - as well as a visit to the neighbouring Portsmouth Natural History Museum. And of course it is right next to the beach!

Victoria Park: A peaceful green space in the city centre featuring aviaries, a sensory garden, as well as the "Around the World in 20 Trees" walk. You can download or print out a factsheet and discover the stories of 20 of the most outstanding trees in the park which will help to keep your little ones entertained. However there is also a park, toilets and a cafe onsite too.

Live at the bandstand: These free summer live music events take place across the city providing an afternoon of free entertainment at some of Portsmouth’s best and free places to visit. All starting at midday. June 20 - Southsea Common; June 28 - Southsea Bandstand; July 4 and 5 - Castle Field; July 12 - King George V Playing Fields; July 19 - King George V Playing Fields; July 26 - Victoria Park; August 2. All shows 1pm-4pm apart from June 20 which starts at midday.

Portsmouth Natural History Museum: Take a walk through the A-Z of Portsmouth's Natural History with a visit to Cumberland House Natural History Museum on Eastern Parade, Portsmouth. On your visit you can also get up close with a huge dinosaur - and visit the wonderful Butterfly House. Butterfly season is May to September, although the butterfly house is often open through the year as well. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. Last admission 4.30pm. And the best part is that it is free to Portsmouth residents (PO1-6 postcodes as well as qualifying PO7 postcodes).

Foxes Forest and Hilsea Lines: Take a stroll along these area in the north of the city offering the choice of a woodland walk where you can feed the ducks - or one along the coast where you can take in the sights. The are cafes at Casemates and Hilsea Moat, as well as explore the Earthwork defence at Foxes Forest dating from 1858-1869 features batteries, magazines and barracks, or relax at one of the many stopping points along Hilsea Lines near Hilsea Lido.

Eastney Beam Engine Houses: Visit the impressive Victorian buildings, which showcase the marvels of Victorian engineering and get up close to some impressive machines – some of which date back to 1887 – and have been restored to their original condition at this museum. It is free admission to both engine houses on the last Sunday of every month from 10am to 4pm (apart from August and December), and the Gas Engine House every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. Visit eastneyenginehouses.co.uk for details about paying a visit