Portsmouth
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Description
Naval capital with a rich history and plenty to see.
Naval capital with a rich history and plenty to see.
Region
South East England
South East England
Pronounced
port-smuth
port-smuth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a historic naval city, principal port of the British Navy and home to the world’s oldest dry dock. Home to Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, salvaged from the Seabed in 1982, Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard is not to be missed, along with the D-Day museum, while the UK’s tallest publicly accessible building the Spinnaker Tower is Portsmouth’s latest attraction.
The vibrant Gunwharf Quays situated on the harbourfront, has a plethora of shopping and dining options, while further down the harbour Old Portsmouth offers cobbled streets, atmospheric pubs and a small but interesting cathedral. Southsea offers more family fun in its common and Clarence Pier.
Activities
The Historic Dockyard offers a fantastic 6 attractions in 1 ticket. The unique attractions include the chance to board Lord Nelson’s flagship Battle of Trafalgar warship the HMS Victory.The 1860 HMS Warriorwas one of the first iron clad ships which is open for full exploration. Re-opening in 2012 is the incredible oppotrunity to view the remains of Henry VIII’s warship the Mary Rose which sunk in 1545. Until then the museum which thousands of artefacts also recovered from the seabed is open. There are also many naval museums, a hrabour tour and Action stations – offers child-friendly interactive experiences.
Nearby in Portsmouth is Charles Dickens Birthplace. The famous author was born here in 1812 and also died here in 1870. 
The Spinnaker Tower – the UK’s tallest publicly accessible building offers amazing views across the city and beyond. 
Gunwharf Quays set on the harbour front, offers great shopping and restaurants in a great setting looking out at the harbour. The D-Day museum, Britain’s only museum dedicated to all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France on 6th June 1944.
The Blue Reef Aquarium offers an undersea safari where you can enjoy incredibly close encounters with hundreds of amazing aquatic creatures.
Southsea Castle was built in 1544 by Henry VIII to protect the country from invaders.What's nearby
Just south of Portsmouth, Southsea’s family friendly Clarence pier has an amusement arcades, mini golf and a boating lake nearby. It’s also where you can take Britain’s only commercial hovercraft service, which transports you on a cushion of air to the Isle of Wight in just 10 minutes. (See Isle of Wight page for more information on what the Island has to offer). Gosport is a short ferry ride across the harbour from Portsmouth. Here the Royal Navy submarine Museum lets you board a World War 2 era submarine – HMS Alliance, as well as finding out what it is like living beneath the waves. The lively Explosion! – The Museum of Naval Firepower is also in Gosport.
Portchester Castle built in the 3rd century, is the only Roman stronghold in northern Europe whose walls still mainly stand to their full 6 metre height, complete with most of their originally twenty towers. Later housing a Saxon settlement, the huge waterside fortress became a Norman castle in the 12th century. English HeritageFort Nelson was built in the 1860s, as part of a chain of fortifications protecting Portsmouth from a feared French invasion. Opened in 1995 as home to the Royal Armouries collection of artillery, Fort Nelson has over 350 big guns and historic cannon on display, all part of the national collection of arms and armour.
Did you know...
Porstmouth's Spinnaker Tower has the tallest publically accessible viewing deck in Britain!
Porstmouth's Spinnaker Tower has the tallest publically accessible viewing deck in Britain!
"Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon."
Lord Horatio Nelson
Lord Horatio Nelson
For more info: www.visitportsmouth.co.uk
