Gosport Ferry to Portchester
(Our overall day number 16 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 19 - Lee-on-the-Solent to Southsea, Portsmouth)Gosport Ferry to Portchester
1st September 2022 | Miles 14.7 | Elevation gain 156ft
Just under 15 miles from the Gosport Ferry, heading anti-clockwise round Portsmouth Harbour past Fareham to finish the day at Portchester. Some interesting naval history at the start of the walk, followed by a slightly tedious stretch on the A32 to circumnavigate the presumably even more interesting, but secret, Royal Naval Armament Depot on the shores of the harbour north of Gosport. After crossing the estuary at Fareham, the path follows the coast around the Cams Hall golf course, then onto Portchester Castle and finally inland to end the day in Portchester.
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Getting there and back
We caught the 23 bus from Southsea to Portsmouth to catch the Gosport Ferry across to Gosport to start the walk. At the end of the day, we caught the X4 Solent Rangers bus from the Mother Kellys bus stop in Portchester, back to Portsmouth and then the 23 back to Southsea.
By public transport, South Western Railway trains run from London Waterloo to Portsmouth - the railway station is adjacent to the ferry terminal. At the end of the day, South Western Railway trains run from Portchester, change at Winchester to head back to Waterloo, or Southern trains run direct from Portchester to London Victoria.
Weather conditions
Slightly overcast but a warm high of 24 degrees, with light north-easterly winds, making for very pleasant walking conditions.
Walking difficulty
Easy - flat, a fair bit of road, and the final bit around Portchester is well marked
The story of our day in photos
.jpg "Catching the ferry to Gosport to begin day 2")
Catching the ferry to Gosport to begin day 2
.jpg "Boatyards at Gosport")
Boatyards at Gosport
.jpg "Multi-storey yacht park!")
Multi-storey yacht park!
.jpg "The Admiral's Quarters - now luxury holiday apartments")
The Admiral's Quarters - now luxury holiday apartments
.jpg "Crossing the Millenium Bridge")
Crossing the Millenium Bridge
.jpg "Views from the Millenium Bridge")
Views from the Millenium Bridge
.jpg "And the other direction ...")
And the other direction ...
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.jpg "The low tide route")
The low tide route
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.jpg "Heading inland, this looks like a nice spot for a rest")
Heading inland, this looks like a nice spot for a rest
.jpg "Tedious section for a couple of miles up the A32 behind the Royal Naval Armaments Depot")
Tedious section for a couple of miles up the A32 behind the Royal Naval Armaments Depot
.jpg "Traffic jam - at least we're on foot")
Traffic jam - at least we're on foot
.jpg "Finally away from the A32, heading back to the waterfront")
Finally away from the A32, heading back to the waterfront
.jpg "Back at the water!")
Back at the water!
.jpg "Tide still quite low")
Tide still quite low
.jpg "Looks like a good spot for a rest in Fareham!")
Looks like a good spot for a rest in Fareham!
.jpg "Under the railway to turn around the head of the inlet at Fareham")
Under the railway to turn around the head of the inlet at Fareham
.jpg "Looking back towards Castle In The Air from the far side of the inlet at Fareham")
Looking back towards Castle In The Air from the far side of the inlet at Fareham
.jpg "Lunch stop - finally a bit of peace and quiet!")
Lunch stop - finally a bit of peace and quiet!
.jpg "Portchester Castle")
Portchester Castle
.jpg "Rounding the point to head back towards Portchester")
Rounding the point to head back towards Portchester
.jpg "... and looking back")
... and looking back
.jpg "Approaching the end of the walk - but what are these?")
Approaching the end of the walk - but what are these?
.jpg "Possibly hyper drives for a Star Destroyer")
Possibly hyper drives for a Star Destroyer
.jpg "Mother Kelly's bus stop, waiting for the trip back to Portsmouth")
Mother Kelly's bus stop, waiting for the trip back to Portsmouth
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