Gosport isn’t like Swanage. Yes, they are both by the sea, but unlike Swanage (and yes, I am about to stereotype, so if I’m wrong I am more than happy to be corrected) Gosport’s reason to exist isn’t Tourism. Yes, it does have its touristy bits, and they are very good, and actually worth visiting all year round (mostly the museums).
I went out for a fairly short walk today. I was on the promenade, and I was suddenly struck by the bleakness of it. There was a biting wind blowing, there were very few people around, and apart from the occasional ship or pilot cutter movement there is little or no movement. In Gosport’s case, the lack of activity was illusory. You only had to move away from the promenade to find a reasonably busy high street.
Many years ago, I used to go to Swanage quite regularly, all year round. There is something to be experienced of a town where the primary function is to entertain people in nice weather. Of course there are the locals. And if you do go out of season, be prepared for a very boisterous night life (at least, it was before Covid, and I would be surprised of that stopped “Swanagenarians” from enjoying themselves.
One of the deepest frustrations were the shops that were closed out of season, in particular, there was a nice little bookshop which I enjoyed browsing. As it happened there was a stationers/newsagents not much further down the street, it was there that I found the Tom Swift books, I became quite hooked on them. I tried reading one recently, but my oh my, I found the main character nauseatingly arrogant. Quite disappointing really.
Of course the one thing that Swanage will always have going for it, regardless of the time of year are its assets, the walking the sites, the sights and the rather glorious surrounds. Well worth a visit, and even spending a few days there.
Bills Posts 