A delightful collection of locally-themed short stories for children. Bursting with fun, local characters, this charming poetry book is a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of Portsmouth. Don’t miss out on this enchanting addition to your bookshelf.
Read MorePosted: 12th September, 2026
Southsea might be best known for its beach, independent shops, bustling streets and summer days on the Common, but there’s another side to our seaside town. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply enjoy a good local story, grab your coat and join us as we explore the spookier side of Southsea and Portsmouth.
With centuries of military history, old theatres, historic pubs and mysterious local stories, Southsea has plenty of places with a spooky tale or two to tell. From ghostly goings-on at the Kings Theatre to the dark tunnels and military history hidden beneath our seafront, here are five places to discover in Portsmouth this Halloween.
Standing proudly beside the Solent, Southsea Castle has watched over the coastline for almost 500 years. Built by Henry VIII in 1544, the castle has witnessed conflict, military occupation and centuries of dramatic change. Its location alone makes it wonderfully atmospheric after dark. Imagine soldiers keeping watch across a black Solent, the wind whipping around the fortifications and enemy ships potentially appearing on the horizon. Henry VIII was famously at Southsea Castle in 1545 when the Mary Rose sank during the Battle of the Solent. With such a long military history, it’s little surprise that the castle and surrounding area have become associated with Portsmouth’s ghost walks and darker historical tales.
If you’re looking for a proper Southsea ghost story, the Kings Theatre is difficult to beat. The magnificent Edwardian theatre opened in 1907 and has entertained generations of local residents. But behind the stage, ornate auditorium and dressing rooms are dark corridors, staircases and hidden corners that have accumulated their own mysterious stories. In fact, the theatre embraces its paranormal reputation. The Kings regularly runs evening ghost tours where visitors explore the building in darkness and hear about the strange experiences and ghostly tales associated with it.
Historic pubs and ghost stories seem to go hand in hand, and The Apsley House on Auckland Road West has its own place in Southsea’s paranormal folklore. Local tales have associated the pub with unexplained activity and even a resident ghost nicknamed “Reedy”. Whether you’re convinced by stories of the supernatural or think every strange noise in an old pub probably has a perfectly reasonable explanation, an old Southsea watering hole provides an appropriately spooky setting for a Halloween tale. And unlike some locations on our list, you can settle your nerves afterwards with a pint.
Hidden beside Canoe Lake and Southsea Model Village, Lumps Fort offers a fascinating glimpse into Southsea’s military past. Built between 1859 and 1861, the Victorian fort later provided underground air-raid shelters during the Second World War and became associated with the famous Cockleshell Heroes. Today it’s a much more peaceful setting, but its old military structures and underground history give this familiar corner of Southsea a distinctly spooky atmosphere.
Just beyond Southsea, the cobbled streets and ancient fortifications of Old Portsmouth provide the perfect setting for a ghost story. The Square Tower dates back to 1494 and is also the starting point for Portsmouth ghost walks, with local tales involving smugglers, mysterious disappearances and reported sightings of ghostly monks around Garrison Green. Nearby pubs have their own spooky stories too, adding to the area’s mysterious history. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, exploring this historic corner of Portsmouth on a dark autumn evening is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.
You don’t need to travel far to find interesting history in Southsea. From an Edwardian theatre and Tudor castle to Victorian fortifications and mysterious old pubs, familiar places can feel very different once you discover the stories behind them. Looking for more spooky fun this Halloween? Discover our collection of free Halloween stories for kids, packed with creepy characters, original illustrations and interactive surprises.
Want to meet interesting people? New to Southsea? Need to get out more? Southsea Meetups has been setup to help you connect with Southsea residents.