Here are some great images dating back to around 1898. The gallery gives an insight into the past – included are the circus, the old boating lake, ploughing up the common, King’s Birthday Parade and the miniature railway that once ran.
So many memories and so much has happened on this green space over the years.
MORE RETRO PHOTOS: Cascades Shopping Centre | Southsea piers | Pubs we’ve loved and lost
MORE RETRO PHOTOS: Cascades Shopping Centre | Southsea piers | Pubs we’ve loved and lost
![400 ex-servicemen conclude Kings Birthday Parade with a march-past on Southsea Common. Picture: The News archive.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNmOThmNjIyLTFjZDItNDU2Mi05OGU4LWYyMzQ4ZjlhODk0MTo2ZWFkOGNiNy02MzMyLTQzOTQtYWVlNS03ZGViYWExODhiZGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Southsea Common
400 ex-servicemen conclude Kings Birthday Parade with a march-past on Southsea Common. Picture: The News archive. Photo: The News archive
![When ladies and gentlemen dressed to go for a stroll. A summers day Ladies Mile, Southsea Common.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcwMzhiZWI3LWI1ZmYtNDZiMS04ZDVmLWRhNDAxZDU0YmVmNzo1OTQ4YmUzMC1mMGE1LTQyM2QtYmZiNS1hNDE1MDBkMWZjZDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Southsea Common
When ladies and gentlemen dressed to go for a stroll. A summers day Ladies Mile, Southsea Common. Photo: The News archive
![With the Royal Naval Memorial to the rear we see Southsea Common being ploughed for vegetable growing. Undated](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUxZDE1NjFhLWM2MzMtNGRiYS05OWMyLTI1ZjY4MjMyY2Y1ZTpiZDhiM2RhYi03MmFkLTQxMzMtYTdkMy0zZDQ1ZDQ3YzdhOGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Southsea Common
With the Royal Naval Memorial to the rear we see Southsea Common being ploughed for vegetable growing. Undated Photo: The News archvie
![Southsea Common shortly before the start of the Second World War](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUwOTVmNzllLTc3MDQtNDg1Ny05NmU2LTJkM2ZhYmI4YjkxYTpmNWJkMGZjNS0xZTUxLTQ0NWYtOTdmNC00NTJmZDNiNWNiN2E=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
12. Southsea Common
Southsea Common shortly before the start of the Second World War Photo: The News archive