Author Archives: Amy Young

Last weekend, we welcomed 12,000 visitors to our free Comic Con event. Many arrived in full costume and enjoyed a day of cosplay, live entertainment and interactive experiences.

Ghostbusters, superheroes and Anime characters took over as visitors enjoyed workshops, celebrity signings and themed market stalls. The Ecto-1 was on full display, and a life-size Dalek from Doctor Who made sure nobody left without a double take.

Highlights? Where do we start. The costume parade brought some of the most creative cosplay we’ve seen, costumes of all ages and every fandom you can think of, a packed schedule from start to finish, and a crowd that brought the energy regardless of the forecast.

Did the weather cooperate? Not exactly. But did that stop us? Absolutely not! Much of the day moved undercover and the crowds kept coming.

A big thank you to everyone who came down, and to the performers, exhibitors and stallholders who made it happen.

We have plenty more free events lined up at Port Solent throughout the year, click here to see what’s coming next.

Take A Look!

There’s something about a Sunday at Port Solent that’s hard to beat. However you like to spend yours, here’s how to make the most of one at Port Solent.

Waterside Markets

The Port Solent Waterside Markets take place on the second Sunday of every month, 10am–4pm. With over 50 stalls to browse, from artisan food and handmade crafts to unique gifts, it’s the perfect way to spend a relaxed Sunday morning. Head to our events page to find the next upcoming date.

VW Campervan & Bus Meet

The Southern Counties Dub Club brings its popular VW campervan and bus meet to the Port Solent car park on the third Sunday of every month, 10am–12:30pm. A great opportunity for VW enthusiasts to come together, admire the vehicles, and catch up over breakfast or brunch at one of the waterside restaurants.

Sunday Car Meets

The Port Solent Sunday Car Meets take place on the second and last Sunday of every month, 9am–12pm in the car park. From classic favourites and sports cars to something a little more unusual, there’s always a great mix on show. Come for the cars and soak up the atmosphere.

Where to Eat

Sunday lunch at Port Solent is well worth planning around. For a waterfront dining experience, Harvester serves up its much-loved rotisserie dishes alongside an unlimited salad bar. Koh Thai brings bold, vibrant flavours to the table, while Gracie Ann’s Tea Room is a lovely spot for a pot of tea and a homemade treat. For something a little livelier, Casa Brasil’s all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ makes for a memorable afternoon.

Many of Port Solent’s restaurants also offer dedicated children’s menus, making Sunday lunch an occasion the whole family can enjoy. Options include Prezzo, Wildwood, Zizzi, Harvester, The Sir Alec Rose, Rapscallions, and more.

See the full range of restaurants, bars and cafés at Port Solent on our Eat & Drink page.

However you spend your Sunday at Port Solent, free parking means one less thing to think about!

Our Spring Fayre event made its return on Saturday 23rd May, and with the first real heat of summer arriving, it couldn’t have been a better day for it. 

Around 7,000 guests visited across the day, enjoying everything from Punch and Judy and The Rock Choir to the Mill Cottage Farm experience, The Creation Station crafts and a full programme of roaming entertainment.  

Market stalls and charity stands from The Woodland Trust, RSPB and Cats Protection added to the atmosphere, while local Scouts ran classic fairground games outside The Trading Post to raise funds for their World Scout Jamboree trip. 

Thank you to everyone who came down and made it such a great day!  

Keep an eye on our events page for what’s coming up next at Port Solent. 

Updated parking management measures are now in place at Port Solent in response to increased demand from vehicles accessing ferry services departing from Portsmouth, helping to ensure fair and consistent use of facilities for all visitors.

The Lineup 

• Jurassic Park Zone
• Cosplay costume parade at 12:30pm with prizes for best costumes!
• GCPD Batman Movie Police Car
• Lawn of the Dead Craft Workshop
• Joker Squad
• Scavenger Props
• The Sith Dynasty
• Ghostbusters with Ecto 1
• Celebrity signers Clem So & Nathan Pegler
• Over 25 market stalls packed with collectible toys, trading cards, handcrafted artwork, unique gifts, and so much more

Come in Costume 

Head to our events page for more details.

Get ready for a full day of feel-good spring fun as the Port Solent Spring Fayre returns on Saturday 23rd May. 

As you wander The Boardwalk, you’ll find something exciting happening at every turn. You might find yourself stopping to watch a Punch and Judy show (11am, 12:30pm, or 2pm) or catching The Rock Choir at 12pm.

Down by the playpark, the Mill Cottage Farm Experience (11am-4pm) is a must for animal lovers, while The Creation Station (11am-4pm) near Wildwood is perfect for getting stuck into something creative. Across The Boardwalk, you’ll spot roaming entertainment, alongside a mix of market stalls and charity stands from The Woodland Trust, RSPB and Cats Protection. 

Outside The Trading Post, you’ll find a selection of classic fair games run by local Scouts, who’ll be raising funds for their World Scout Jamboree trip.

Whether you’re coming down for the day or stopping by to soak up the atmosphere, it’s a great way to enjoy Port Solent this spring. 

For the latest updates and what’s coming up, make sure you’re following us on social media.