Portsmouth seafront visitors face a new fire safety rule

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-13 19:07 3 min read

Close-up of glowing hot charcoal briquettes burning with bright orange flames in a grill.

By Beehiveweb.co.uk Local News Desk

Visitors to two popular Portsmouth outdoor spaces are being asked to leave barbecues at home after a temporary ban on barbecues, disposable barbecues and outdoor cooking equipment involving naked flames was introduced.

The restriction applies to council-owned land at Canoe Lake Park and a central seafront area. Both locations remain open for recreation, but anyone found using prohibited cooking equipment may be asked to put it out and remove it from the site.

The Portsmouth areas covered by the restriction

The temporary prohibition applies at:

Canoe Lake Park
Land bounded by Clarence Esplanade, Clarence Parade, Avenue de Caen and Serpentine Road

The council says these sites have been identified as particularly vulnerable because hot, dry weather has left grass, vegetation, leaf litter and trees more likely to catch fire. A small spark, ember or hot coal can spread rapidly through dry ground cover.

Visitors can still use the areas for walks, leisure and picnics. The change is focused on preventing an avoidable source of fire while the land remains open to the public.

Dry conditions have raised the wildfire risk

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has warned that wildfire risk remains extremely high and has urged people not to use barbecues in hot, dry conditions.

Portsmouth City Council said it took that advice into account before bringing in the temporary measure. Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport, said the dry conditions had made Canoe Lake and the land west of Avenue de Caen especially vulnerable.

He said people could help protect trees, wildlife and property by choosing a picnic instead of a barbecue and following the fire service’s outdoor safety advice.

The notice covers more than disposable barbecues. Any outdoor cooking equipment involving a naked flame falls within the prohibition, so visitors should avoid bringing charcoal barbecues, portable flame-based cookers or similar equipment into the affected areas.

Take a picnic instead of a barbecue

For anyone planning a seafront visit, the practical message is simple: bring food that does not require a flame-based cooker. The council and fire service are encouraging visitors to take a picnic instead.

Council staff, seafront rangers and community wardens will monitor the two areas. Their approach will be to seek compliance through engagement, explanation and persuasion, but people using a barbecue or other prohibited cooking equipment may be asked to extinguish it and take it away.

Temporary signs, the council website, social media updates and officers working on site will be used to communicate the restriction. The council will review the prohibition every 14 days, or sooner if weather, ground conditions or fire risk change materially. It may also consider further locations if similar risks are identified elsewhere.

Source: Portsmouth City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

This report is based on Portsmouth City Council's notice and its stated fire-service safety context.

Checks

Confirmed the two restricted locations named by Portsmouth City Council.
Checked which equipment is covered: barbecues, disposable barbecues and outdoor cooking eq...
Checked that both sites remain open for recreation.
Confirmed the council's 14-day review timetable and monitoring arrangements.

Portsmouth City Council Check local fire safety coverage