With the sun finally showing up and spring in full swing, we decided it was time to shake off the cobwebs and head down to Clarence Pier for a chilled seaside evening. While we were there, we couldn’t resist finally checking out a local gem that’s been on our radar for ages—the Upside Down House Portsmouth!
If you haven’t heard of the Upside Down House UK yet, where have you been hiding? It’s become a quirky and much-loved attraction since launching its very first house in Bournemouth back in November 2018. Fast forward a few years, and they now have houses in several major locations including Brighton, Bristol, Lakeside, Liverpool, London, the Metrocentre, and Milton Keynes. Portsmouth is one of their four special partnership locations, and you’ll find it in prime position right on Southsea’s seafront at Clarence Pier.
What makes it such a standout? Well, it’s not just the interior that’s flipped—the entire building is upside down! It’s a total head-turner (literally) and makes an awesome first impression before you even step through the door. Mason was completely wide-eyed at first glance—and that was before the real fun began.
The moment you walk in, it’s like stepping into another dimension. From the skirting boards to the artwork and even the loo—it’s all totally, wonderfully wrong-way-up! The first room you’re greeted with is the bathroom that even includes an upside-down toilet. Mason found this absolutely hilarious (classic 10-year-old humour), and he was adamant our first photo had to be him pretending to dive headfirst into the madness. His idea, of course.
Climbing the spiral staircase took us to the kitchen, bedroom, and dining room areas. Because of the unique design, everything’s set at a slight angle, which definitely adds to the topsy-turvy experience—and yes, we did feel a little dizzy on the upper floor, but not enough to spoil the fun. The second floor is filled with brilliant photo ops. We “hung” from beds, floated from tables, and just let our imaginations run wild.
There’s no time limit once you’re inside, and we were lucky enough to have the entire house to ourselves during our visit. We stayed for about 20 minutes, but honestly could’ve easily spent longer playing around with poses and snapping silly shots.
While it’s not necessarily a full-day-out kind of attraction, the Upside Down House is a perfect add-on to a beach day or evening walk, just like we did. It’s an awesome spot for some laughs, unique photos, and family fun.
Would we go back? Absolutely—but maybe not every weekend! It’s definitely somewhere we’d return to with visiting friends or family who haven’t experienced it yet.
Planning a Visit?
You’ll find the Upside Down House Portsmouth at Clarence Pier, just follow signs to the Southsea seafront.
Admission:
• £5 per person
• OR 9 red tokens / 5 yellow tokens if you’re visiting the fair
(Note: Online bookings and wristbands aren’t accepted.)
For opening times, please visit Clarence Pier’s official website by clicking here
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