Exploring The Hole In The Wall Pub (Southsea, Portsmouth)

Nestled on Great Southsea Street in the charming seaside suburb of Southsea, Portsmouth, The Hole In The Wall is a friendly, traditional pub run by owners Jonathan and Kerry. According to their website, it’s a “traditional local serving a constantly changing selection of cask-conditioned real ales” alongside other drinks, and even features its retro sweet shop and a wide range of bottled beers. The pub advertises itself as a place to spend “an evening in a quiet, convivial and relaxed atmosphere”. Locals praise it for its award-winning status. CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) notes it’s a “multiple award-winning pub” (Portsmouth Pub of the Year several times over) with an ever-changing lineup of quality cask ales. The white-and-green façade (see above) and outdoor bench welcome you inside this cosy, wooden-beamed pub.

Craft Ales & Beverages

Beer enthusiasts will feel right at home here. The pub prides itself on offering “an eclectic range of hand-pulled ales and lagers,” adding at least one new beer each week. As the owners note, Britain’s modern renaissance in cask ale brewing means there are over 3,000 cask ales in the country today, so visitors at Hole In The Wall can “re-live the pleasures last experienced by [their] grandfathers’ generation”. Because the Hole is a true free house, its cask lineup changes frequently, you might find local Hampshire ales alongside rare or guest brews. CAMRA’s description highlights this variety: it calls the pub a “true free house, with an ever-changing selection of cask beers,” and even notes its classic wooden beams and snug (cosy side-room). In practice, you’ll find a rotating draft list (sometimes with 6 or more casks on) plus bottled European beers and ciders. Whether you’re into smooth bitters, punchy IPAs or crisp lagers, there’s usually something new to try.

Retro Sweet Shop

One of The Hole’s most unique touches is its retro sweet shop. Step inside and you’ll see jars of candy lining the shelves: the shop (run by Jon and Kerry’s children) lets patrons pick sweets to munch on with their pint or take home with a few bottled beers. It’s a nostalgic, family-friendly feature that sets the pub apart. Imagine enjoying an old-fashioned sherbet or a bag of jelly babies while chatting over a craft ale. This playful, sweet-tuckshop concept adds to the pub’s warm, community vibe. Kids (and kids-at-heart) love browsing the retro candies, making the Hole in the Wall feel even more welcoming and fun after a day at the seaside.

Atmosphere & Events

Stepping inside, you get a strong sense of old-school charm. CAMRA describes the pub as a “proper old local with wooden beams and a snug” – in other words, it still has the cosy feel of a traditional English tavern. The ceiling is covered in brewery pump clips and pub memorabilia, giving the place a quirky, cluttered character. It isn’t a loud nightspot; rather, one beer blogger noted it has “low light, lots of clutter… and a mixed crowd”, which perfectly captures its friendly, unpretentious vibe. The crowd is a mix of locals, students (Southsea’s university is not far off), and visiting ale lovers. On any given evening, you might hear quiet chatter or the buzz of a quiz night (Thursdays are a popular pub quiz) – in short, it feels like a neighbourhood hangout. The staff and owners are known for being warm and welcoming, so even first-time visitors quickly feel at home.

Opening Hours (Regular Schedule)

• Monday: 4 pm–8 pm

• Tuesday: 4 pm–9 pm

• Wednesday: 4 pm–10 pm

• Thursday: 4 pm–10 pm

• Friday: 2 pm–11 pm

• Saturday: 12 pm–9 pm

• Sunday: 2 pm–8 pm

These hours (from the pub’s official site) mean you can pop in for an early pint after work midweek, or spend a leisurely afternoon there on weekends. Note that times may change during holidays or special events, so it’s always a good idea to check ahead or call before visiting.

Southsea & Portsmouth Context

The Hole In The Wall sits right in the heart of Southsea, the lively seaside district of Portsmouth. Southsea itself began as a Victorian-era resort and is famous for its beach and piers, including Clarence Pier (pictured above) with amusements, arcades and arcades. Today, Southsea is a vibrant neighbourhood of Portsmouth, with its own identity and attractions. Portsmouth is a historic port city in Hampshire, England, known for its naval history and waterfront. Southsea lies just south of Portsmouth’s city centre. In this area, you’ll find dozens of pubs, restaurants and independent shops. The Hole in the Wall is just a short walk from Albert Road, a street packed with cafes, bars, music venues and quirky shops.

Whether you’ve spent the day on Southsea Beach, visited the famous South Parade Pier, or toured Portsmouth’s dockyard (home of HMS Victory and the Mary Rose), stopping by Hole In The Wall makes for a perfect evening. You can enjoy views of the local streets (see image above), then step inside for a well-kept pint and a friendly chat. Its central Southsea location makes it easy to reach by bus, car or even on foot if you’re staying nearby. In short, The Hole In The Wall offers a cosy retreat that feels quintessentially Portsmouth, a blend of classic pub culture, community warmth, and seaside town charm.