Canoe Lake
Canoe Lake
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
245 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
110
Average
24
Poor
7
Terrible
3
FIL M
London, UK370 contributions
Dec 2022
The lake is truly a beautiful little spot, however due to the ice etc. The swans, ducks and birds were really struggling to swim so most of them were in the grass areas adjacent to the lake. The benches could all do with a good clean due to bird poop.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK23,075 contributions
Oct 2020
I remember visiting Canoe Lake with my parents years ago and it has been a constant for many years. On a sunny October morning we revisited and sat enjoying the scene with families, dog walkers, the occasional jogger etc. circulating the pond. Very busy at this time of the year with the swans and black headed gulls although there were no takers for the pedal swans. Timeless and relaxing, and the cafe was busy supplying hot drinks.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MYDOGISFINN
Emsworth, UK834 contributions
Sep 2020
This is a lake in a park area just off the seafront with a cafe, toilets and some rather sad looking swan shaped pedalos plus a lot of real swans. It was popular with family groups with young children. If you live locally you might want to come here but it is not much of a visitor attraction.
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marge
Birmingham, UK432 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Can ride Swan Pedalos £8 for 20 minutes. They were sanitising each boat between customers. Crabbing nets & buckets £2 each - cheap entertainment for few hours. Huge free play area and plenty of picnic space. Public toilets really clean & stocked with paper etc. Seems well organised after reopening.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mavericks
Portsmouth, UK39 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
It is a nice place but it is inundated with swans and seagulls. There is just too many of them because there is bird poop and feathers everywhere. It’s unpleasant. The shop smells of old oil and needs a bit of TLC on the outside. The playground nearby is pretty good for kids to burn off some energy and it’s located right by the beach.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zinari
13 contributions
Dec 2021
Spend some time at the Lake with the ducks and feel the stress wash off your back. It is beautiful both at day time and night time. If you are a writer, Lady Inspiration might simply pay you a visit while there.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,023 contributions
Aug 2021
Far too crowded for our taste with the virus still at large.
You can rent duck or swan boats and cruise along the water with the real swans and ducks.
It was nice to see the birds swimming along in the water.
A fun family activity.
Public restrooms close by.
You can rent duck or swan boats and cruise along the water with the real swans and ducks.
It was nice to see the birds swimming along in the water.
A fun family activity.
Public restrooms close by.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
garfus
6 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
I purchased a cheese & bacon burger from here on July 1st 2015 & had to be rushed to hospital with severe food poisoning where the meat had not been cooked properly!!!! I was projectile vomiting, diarreah, fever, shaking & even lost conciousness due to the bad bacteria. Thank god I didn't give any to the kids!!! I am contacting food standards to go and check the place as their hygiene must be revolting!!! I am so ill & absolutely disgusted!!!!!!!
Written July 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nnmercman
Camberley, UK13,717 contributions
May 2020
This popular lake and park is just along from the pier. Kids enjoy crabbing, going out on a swan pedalo or messing around in one of the play parks. Plenty of grass area to sit and have a picnic plus cafe and toilet block . Up close the water is what I can only call “manky” - local council really need to get it emptied and cleaned - wouldn’t want one of my grandchildren falling in :-(. Watch out for the hordes of birds/swans/ducks - constantly on the prowl for leftover food scraps and can be a darn nuisance. Such a pity the lake in general looks so neglected.
Written June 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Allan S
3 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
My wife and I went over to Portsmouth on Monday 8th July 2019 and walked from Old Portsmouth (well worth a visit) to Canoe Lake which is usually lovely to walk around and enjoy the swans and just chat to folks.
What a disappointment the lake was. I have never seen so much algae on it and the smell was pretty bad.
The swans have obviously found a nicer place to swim as instead of the usual 20 or so, there were only three.
The lake has a rubber 'fender' all around it but sadly this has not been maintained, there are large pieces that have come away from the side and just been left, overall the whole place looked pretty tatty and neglected.
Just past the cafe by the lake is the rose garden which usually have the most beautiful blooms with so many varities, it is a lovely place to spend some quiet time and just enjoy the tranquility and the different roses. How disappointed once again we were as the usual pristine roses had just been left, no-one had dead headed them or tended to the beds, it just looked quite sad.
Shame on you Portsmouth City Council.Please get your act together and put these things right. Both Canoe lake and the Rose Gardens are usually wonderful for tourist and locals alike, you have let them down,BADLY
What a disappointment the lake was. I have never seen so much algae on it and the smell was pretty bad.
The swans have obviously found a nicer place to swim as instead of the usual 20 or so, there were only three.
The lake has a rubber 'fender' all around it but sadly this has not been maintained, there are large pieces that have come away from the side and just been left, overall the whole place looked pretty tatty and neglected.
Just past the cafe by the lake is the rose garden which usually have the most beautiful blooms with so many varities, it is a lovely place to spend some quiet time and just enjoy the tranquility and the different roses. How disappointed once again we were as the usual pristine roses had just been left, no-one had dead headed them or tended to the beds, it just looked quite sad.
Shame on you Portsmouth City Council.Please get your act together and put these things right. Both Canoe lake and the Rose Gardens are usually wonderful for tourist and locals alike, you have let them down,BADLY
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kirihawkins
Southampton, UK3 contributions
How much does it cost to go on the Swan boats?
BOBBIE K
20 contributions
Did it today and it was 7pound
Canoe Lake (Portsmouth) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Canoe Lake
- Hotels near Canoe Lake:
- (0.08 mi) St. Margaret's Lodge
- (0.10 mi) Ocean Hotel & Apartments
- (0.16 mi) Royal Beach Hotel
- (0.19 mi) G! Boutique Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Esk Vale Guest House
- Restaurants near Canoe Lake:
- (0.08 mi) Southsea Beach Cafe
- (0.14 mi) Café Fresco
- (0.36 mi) Restaurant 27
- (0.41 mi) Bodrum Restaurant
- (0.19 mi) Gyroland