South Parade Pier

The longer of Southsea's two piers, originally built in 1879 and rebuilt several times after fires. It carries an amusement arcade, a fish-and-chip stand, a bar with terraces, and a covered hall used for live music. Free to walk on; you can fish off the side if you bring your own gear.

The other pier, Clarence Pier at the western end of Southsea Common, is more amusement-park than promenade and contains the city's main funfair plus a cluster of family arcades and rides.

things to do sight southsea
A story
Ken Russell shot scenes for The Who's rock opera Tommy on South Parade Pier in 1974. A pinball machine destroyed during filming was kept as a souvenir; the pier itself caught fire during the production and had to be partly rebuilt before the film was completed.

Other places in Southsea