As one of Southampton's few areas of open, public waterfront you'd think more would be made of it, despite the mostly uninspiring views. Frankly, it's all a bit down at heel.

The parking spaces are small and the pavements are in terrible condition with very few benches to sit on if you want to get out of your car to enjoy the view. There is, however, a surprising amount of recreational space, when it's not being used for activities related to the Boatshow and Christmas markets. It's also one of only a few places to get a good look at some cruise ships, if that's your thing. Autumn/winter sunsets can be lovely too. I've never been locked in but it's worth a quick look at that day's gate closing time when you drive in.

A big downside for me are occasional and slightly intimidating gatherings of people in and around vehicles with blacked out windows and vape "smoke" pouring out of them. That and the ageing ice cream van which sits with its engine running all day, inundating the park with heavy, carcinogenic diesel fumes.

It's almost as if the City Council is treading water at this site, until work commences on one of the grandiose public waterside developments which are proposed from time to time but never come to fruition.