July has some seriously cool things happening and I can’t wait to enjoy all that is on offer locally as well as the warm sunshine and feelings of Summer. If you were one of the people that headed off to The Southsea Beach Cafe for their Friday night BBQ or wandered across to the Southsea Castle for their Rooftop Bar, then I salute you! These places have regular Friday events which makes living by the sea even nicer!
I spent my Friday evening just enjoying the beach with my family and friends. We drank wine, toasted marshmallows and swam in the sea at Eastney which was super calm and refreshing. I find Friday evenings out make the wknds longer don’t you?
Is it me or does everything seem to be happening on this one wknd? Have a look at my highlights for this month in Southsea and Portsmouth.
Friday 15th July – Boheme Betty – Studio B Collective – Osbourne Road – Southsea 6.30pm onwards
When you have a vintage shop where the owner is also a fashion stylist, designer and wardrobe stylist, you just know that their pop up sale is going to be good. Head on to Osbourne Road on Friday to meet Boheme Betty and see some great collection of clothes. With a whole rail of unisex stock from Levi, Carhartt, CK and much more, it’s a cool place to buy something unique for festival season and just Summer events!
Sunday 16th July – Pitt St Skatepark/Bored Of Southsea Milton Park
This Sunday sees Pitt St Skatepark and Bored Of Southsea come together to create a skate jam that celebrates 100 years of Milton Park. Loaded with the usual fun elements and a free event.
There’ll be a number of games, competitions and demonstrations throughout the afternoon with prizes and giveaways for the best effort and ability starting at around 11am. All ages and abilities of skateboarders are welcome to get involved on the day. If you want to take younger children you will need to take safety equipment with you and they will need an adult supervising them at all times.
There will also be an exclusive launch of Milton Park decks from @woodenwifeskateboards available in a limited run featuring artwork from the very rad @skirazz
Sunday 16th July – Hotwalls Studios – Old Portsmouth – 11am -4pm
This wknd sees the start of a new era at Hotwalls, as quite a few of the long standing artists moved out and made way for new residents. Pop along there to see fresh new doors being swung open from Ahoy Dare to other new fresh faces. I love the Open Studios days as its a chance to chat with artists about their work and support the creatives based there.
The new ‘Guest Artist’ programme was introduced earlier in the year and sees When We Were Cows have an open studio on the Sunday at the Round Tower. If you managed to catch his exhibition at the Corner Collective then you will know the sheer excitement in this news.
When We Were Cows is an artist that deserves a cool backdrop to exhibit his work. He has a distinctive style and it is a fab opportunity to see him sketching first hand, while exploring his display of hand painted pieces
Pop by 11am until 4pm to see him in action at the Round Tower.
Saturday Sunday 15th/16 July – Southsea Food Festival – Palmerston Road, Osbourne Road and Avenue De Caen
Southsea Food Festival, Portsmouth’s ultimate family foodie event returns packed with stalls offering goodies from some of the best food and drink producers in the area.
Food lovers can browse, sample and buy a wide range of products including sausages, cake, chocolate, cheese, condiments and even Portsmouth aged rum. There will be plenty of options for veggies, vegans and anyone avoiding gluten or dairy too.
I love that this one event organised by the council brings all the local food suppliers and independent food businesses to one spot which is a rare thing to see.
There will be music on all wknd too as well as the usual markets, Love Southsea and Hampshire Food down Palmy Road.
Thursday July 20th Megan Linford – Barley Mow – Southsea 9pm -11pm
If you can’t wait for Victorious then popping by to watch Megan Linford perform an intimate set at the local pub, Barley Mow, might just be on the cards.
Singer/songwriter Megan steps into the popular pub for an intimate gig. Offering a contemporary folk sound, Megan is a well loved local musician in Portsmouth and played Victorious a few times. A free event and a special treat for Castle Road.
Friday/Saturday 21st/22nd July – Warriorfest by Staggeringly Good – HMS Warrior – Historic Dockyard
Friday and Saturday, Staggeringly Good bring back their fantastic Warriorfest which sees the beer festival head over to the historic war ship, HMS Warrior. Think lot’s of beer, and 30 guest breweries. Think live music, an onboard treasure hunt and board games from DICE cafe and you might just want to stay there forever! Along with street food and a fantastic setting, this looks like a really cool event to attend.
Tickets are still on sale for Friday and Saturday, priced at £30.
Friday 28th July – I Can See The Sea – Sea Glass Workshop 10.30am
I Can See The Sea has moved to the Porters Lodge just inside the Historic Dockyard and not only can you go and see the new studio and check out all the fab things to buy that Lizzie has created but you can also now do creative workshops.
I love sea glass and natural things to collect like shells so this workshop appeals to me. You can create your own bespoke coastal artwork using sea glass, sea pottery, seashells, driftwood or stone. A full 2 hour workshop allows you to work on a wooden square box frame. All materials included but you can also take along your beachcombed treasure. Depending on the size of your frame the prices are between £40 and £50.
There are so many other workshops to choose from so head over to the website and scroll to the bottom of the home page to find all the workshops to book!
Outside of Portsmouth
Friday 14th July -16th July – Lymington Seafood Festival – Lymington
The festival in Lymington is back! It will showcase some of the finest food, drink and entertainment from the South Coast. With over 70 stands and every imaginable type of seafood to feast on, it really is worth the trip from Southsea! Being the kind festival it is, there is something for carnivores, vegans or those with a sweet tooth too.
The Coastguard Studio will be there with their signatory seagull drinks bar serving up a fabulous back bar and Two Thirds Beer will be helping to serve up some crafty beer.
Prices are £6.00 per adults and children are free.
Friday -Sunday 21st July-24th July – Stay Wild Weekend – QE Country Park
Stay Wild is a family-friendly camping weekend event packed full of outdoor activities and wilderness workshops to suit all ages. The adventure-packed weekend is held on the 21st-24th July 2023 at the stunning Queen Elizabeth Country Park, nestled in the iconic surroundings of the South Downs.
There are options to camp or you can buy a day ticket for £10.00. Icluded in the price is
Free parking
Access to activities, workshops and re-enactment demos in the main Stay wild area
Access to pay and play activities
Featured image – Hotwall Studios
