Gosport waterside ride

During the summer I cycled round Langstone and Portsmouth harbours, including NCN224 from Gosport to Fareham. NCN224 is an excellent route using a disused railway, but passes through somewhat dreary urban surroundings. Today, I explored a possible alternative following the waterside. GPX map here:

These photos describe the route, which passes much of interest.

Starting from the lifeboat station at Stokes Bay, I cycled along the shingly path towards Fort Gilkicker

Fort Gilkicker is fenced off and in a poor state of repair

Sea wall between Fort Gilkicker and Fort Monckton.....

....but the sea wall in front of Fort Monckton is blocked off

Return passing the landward side of Fort Gilkicker

...cross the golf course

Rejoin the sea wall on the other side of Fort Monckton

There is a good road in front of the old RN Haslar hospital

Fine old hospital villas, awaiting development

The Halslar road finishes in a dead end at the MOD compound....

..... so you must use the inland Haslar Road past the hospital, whose fine buildings are now converted to apartments ("Royal Haslar")

Cross the bridge across Haslar Lake

Unfortunately, the Esplanade from Haslar round to Gosport Ferry is No Cycling, but it is well worth walking your bike......

... and taking in the views across to Portsmouth

Tidal Clock

HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier was alongside

Boathouse cafe in Gosport Marina

The Ceremonial Gate to the....... 

......old RN Clarence Yard (c1828), the complex of warehouses from which the fleet was provisioned. Needless to say, now apartments and a marina.

Millenium Bridge across Forton Lake

You can ride through Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
when it is open (outside exhibits are free to view)

Esplanade at Heritage Way

Pub at Hardway

Hardway slipway

Good views across Portsmouth Harbour

Fort Brockhurst

I returned along NCN224, excellent disused railway path

NCN224 crosses Stoke Lake

Views back to Spinnaker Tower

Fine Georgian terrace in the Crescent