Parks, Beaches & Walks in Gosport

Stokes Bay

Stokes Bay is Gosport's main beach — a mile-long shingle stretch running from Gilkicker Point in the east to the MOD-owned land at Browndown in the west, with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and passing shipping. It's a genuinely well-equipped beach for a day out: public toilets, a children's playground and splash park, the Solent Springs adventure golf course, kayak and paddleboard hire, cafés, and BBQ and picnic space. The open grassy areas are also popular for kite flying. Park at Pebble Beach Car Park, or one of the other Stokes Bay car parks covered in our parking guide.

Gilkicker

At the eastern end of Stokes Bay, the Gilkicker lagoons are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to notable coastal wildlife. Nearby stands Fort Gilkicker, a Grade II-listed gun battery — it's derelict and fenced off inside, but you can walk all the way around the outside of the fort as part of a coastal walk.

Walpole Park and Stanley Park

Walpole Park sits closer to the town centre, with its own car park (which also has EV charging — see our EV charging guide). Stanley Park is a larger floral and wooded park with further picnic facilities, backing onto the Alverbank hotel — a good option if you want green space rather than the seafront.

Alver Valley Country Park

For walking and nature rather than the beach, Alver Valley Country Park offers a stretch of countryside within the borough, popular for dog walks and spotting local wildlife.

Organised free walks

Gosport Healthy Walks runs free, accessible group walks lasting 30 to 90 minutes, pitched at a range of abilities — a good way to explore the area's parks and coastline with company rather than alone.

Cycling and further trails

The Gosport Ferry operator also publishes a guide to beaches, walking trails and cycling around the borough, useful if you're planning a longer route that takes in the coast path.