Best campsites near Portsmouth: 7 top picks

The best campsites near Portsmouth range from seafront leisure parks on Portsea Island to peaceful countryside retreats in the Meon Valley, just 30 to 45 minutes inland. This guide covers 7 top campsites near Portsmouth, including community favourites on Hayling Island and the Solent shore, chosen from feedback across thousands of Camplify trips in the region. Camplify trip data shows that most hirers base themselves within a 40-minute drive of Portsmouth city centre, making it easy to explore both the coast and South Downs National Park in a single break.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Portsmouth if you already know your dates.

Portsmouth sits at the heart of one of England's most varied coastal stretches. To the east, Hayling Island and Chichester Harbour offer sheltered water and sandy beaches. To the north, the South Downs roll into the Meon Valley. You can pick up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner and reach most of these parks in under an hour. If you're planning a longer coastal tour, our guide to the 5 best Weymouth campsites is worth reading too.

Portsmouth campsites right on the seafront and city fringe

Southsea Leisure Park

Southsea Leisure Park sits directly on the seafront at Southsea, making it one of very few campsites in England where you can pitch your motorhome within walking distance of a sandy beach, a pier, and a city centre. The location alone sets it apart. Clarence Esplanade is on your doorstep, Southsea Castle is a short stroll, and the Historic Dockyard, home to HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum, is less than two miles away.

The park caters well to motorhomes and touring caravans, with hardstanding pitches and electric hook-up available. Facilities are solid rather than elaborate, which suits travellers who are here to explore the city rather than spend time on-site. Camplify travellers consistently rate this park as the best base for a Portsmouth city break by campervan, particularly for those visiting the dockyard or catching a Spinnaker Tower sunset. Book well ahead for bank holiday weekends and the summer school holidays, when pitches go quickly.

Quick facts:

• Distance: On the seafront in Southsea, approximately 2 miles south of Portsmouth city centre

• Best for: City explorers, history enthusiasts, couples and families wanting a coastal base

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, toilet and shower blocks, close to seafront amenities

• Book ahead: Bank holidays, July and August

Solent Breezes Holiday Park

Solent Breezes Holiday Park occupies a quiet shoreline position on the eastern edge of the Solent, near the village of Hook in Hampshire, roughly 12 miles from Portsmouth. The views across to the Isle of Wight are a genuine draw, particularly at dusk when the ferries cross in the fading light. It's a well-established holiday park with a mix of holiday homes and touring pitches.

The touring and motorhome facilities include electric hook-up pitches and a modern amenity block. The park has direct access to a shingle beach, which makes it popular with hirers who want a waterside pitch without the bustle of a large resort. A favourite spot for Camplify hirers planning a relaxed Solent break, especially those combining a visit to Portsmouth with a day trip to the Isle of Wight via the nearby Wightlink ferry at Fishbourne. The onsite social club and bar add a community feel that longer-stay hirers tend to appreciate.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 12 miles east of Portsmouth city centre, near Warsash

• Best for: Couples, retirees, Solent views, Isle of Wight day trips

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, modern amenity block, shingle beach access, onsite bar

• Book ahead: Summer school holidays and bank holiday weekends

Kingfisher Caravan Park

Kingfisher Caravan Park is a quieter, more low-key option on the western edge of Chichester Harbour, a short drive from Emsworth. The harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the park makes the most of its setting without overdoing it. Pitches are well spaced, and the atmosphere is calm throughout the season.

The park suits touring caravans and motorhomes looking for a peaceful base with easy access to both Portsmouth and Chichester. Emsworth village, with its independent shops, seafood restaurants, and harbour walks, is reachable on foot or by bike. Well-rated by the Camplify community for its relaxed pace and the quality of its electric hook-up pitches, Kingfisher works particularly well for those who want to split their time between the coast and the South Downs, which are accessible within 30 minutes.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles east of Portsmouth, near Emsworth

• Best for: Couples, retirees, walkers, those exploring Chichester Harbour AONB

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, level pitches, toilet and shower facilities

• Book ahead: Easter and summer school holidays

Camping near Portsmouth in the Meon Valley and South Downs

Fishery Creek Touring Park

Fishery Creek Touring Park occupies a sheltered spot on Hayling Island, tucked between the tidal creeks of Langstone Harbour and the island's southern beaches. The park is well established and popular with both caravans and motorhomes. Hayling Island itself has a long tradition of family seaside holidays, and the touring park fits naturally into that heritage.

Electric hook-up pitches are available, and the site is well maintained throughout the season. The beach at Hayling is a short walk away, and the island's coastal path, which traces the shoreline around Langstone Harbour, is excellent for a morning stroll before the day warms up. Hirers who've stayed here rate it highly for the combination of a proper seaside location and easy access to Portsmouth, which is just 15 minutes by road. RSPB Langstone Harbour, one of the country's most important estuarine nature reserves, is directly adjacent, making it a strong choice for birdwatchers.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 8 miles southeast of Portsmouth city centre, Hayling Island

• Best for: Families, birdwatchers, seaside breaks, couples

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, modern amenity block, close to beach and coastal path

• Book ahead: July, August, and Hayling Island's popular summer events

Meon Springs

Meon Springs sits in the valley of the River Meon, near West Meon in Hampshire, about 20 miles north of Portsmouth. It's a working countryside estate with glamping and camping alongside a well-regarded fly fishing operation. The landscape here is classic chalk downland, and the South Downs National Park surrounds the site on all sides.

This park is a different kind of stop compared to the coastal options on this list. There's no electric hook-up for motorhomes in the traditional sense, so it suits those who prefer a more off-grid feel or who travel in a self-sufficient unit. The walks directly from the site into the South Downs are outstanding, and the village pubs in West Meon and Droxford are well worth an evening visit. Recommended by owners in the area as a quieter alternative to the busier coastal parks, particularly for those who want to combine a Portsmouth visit with proper countryside on the same trip. Pair it with our guide to the 5 best Brecon Beacons campsites if you're planning a wider UK touring itinerary.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 20 miles north of Portsmouth, near West Meon

• Best for: Couples, walkers, fly fishing enthusiasts, countryside escapes

• Key facilities: Camping pitches, glamping options, fishing lakes, countryside setting

• Book ahead: Spring and autumn for fly fishing; summer weekends fill early

Hayling Island and Chichester Harbour: top campsites near Portsmouth's eastern coast

Hayling Island Holiday Park (operated by Meadow Bay Villages)

Hayling Island Holiday Park (operated by Meadow Bay Villages) is one of the larger holiday parks on Hayling Island, positioned close to the sandy southern beach and operated with families firmly in mind. The park has a strong reputation among those looking for a well-facilitated base on the island, with indoor and outdoor facilities that keep families occupied when the weather does what British weather tends to do.

A community favourite among Camplify travellers, particularly for families with younger children who want the reassurance of good facilities alongside a proper beach. The park has an indoor swimming pool, which makes it reliably enjoyable regardless of the forecast. Touring pitches and motorhome bays are available, and the team is experienced with larger vehicles. Portsmouth city centre is around 20 minutes by road, so it's straightforward to combine a day at the Historic Dockyard with evenings back at the park. If longer touring adventures appeal, the 11 best NC500 campsites for motorhomes is a useful read for planning ahead.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 9 miles southeast of Portsmouth, south Hayling Island

• Best for: Families, those wanting full facilities, beach holidays with a reliable wet-weather backup

• Key facilities: Indoor swimming pool, electric hook-up, touring pitches, entertainment facilities

• Book ahead: All of July and August, Easter, half-term weeks

The Oven Campsite

The Oven Campsite is a smaller, more relaxed site on the southern tip of Hayling Island. The name comes from the local geography: a sheltered sandy cove known as The Oven, which sits at the island's southwestern corner where Langstone Harbour meets the open Solent. It's a distinctive spot, and the campsite makes the most of its unusual setting.

Pitches here are grass, and the site has a simpler feel than the larger holiday parks nearby. That's part of the appeal. The Camplify community knows this site as a good option for those who want to be close to the water without paying for facilities they won't use. Windsurfers and kitesurfers use the nearby beach regularly, and the birdlife around the harbour mouth is impressive. Camplify owners who know the area suggest arriving with everything you need, as the site is deliberately low-key in what it provides on-site. For those planning further afield, our guides to the 5 best Loch Lomond campsites, 5 best Oban campsites, and 5 best campsites on Anglesey are worth bookmarking.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles southeast of Portsmouth, southern tip of Hayling Island

• Best for: Water sports enthusiasts, birdwatchers, those preferring a quieter, simpler site

• Key facilities: Grass pitches, basic amenities, direct access to harbour and beach

• Book ahead: Summer weekends and bank holidays

Find your Portsmouth campervan and get on the road

The best campsites near Portsmouth suit a wide range of trips, from city-focused city breaks at Southsea to peaceful South Downs countryside at Meon Springs. Pick up a campervan or caravan from a local Camplify owner in the Portsmouth area and reach any of these parks within the hour. Browse campervans and caravans for hire near Portsmouth and find the right vehicle for your trip.