Portsmouth: The place to be for attractions, events and history

17th October 2023

Portsmouth has been the place to be in '23 - and though summer may be over, there's still loads to enjoy before the year is out. 

For starters, how about a trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard? It's where you can walk through centuries of naval heritage, standing in the very spots where history was made. 

With one Ultimate Explorer ticket you get entry to all the dockyard attractions, including The Mary Rose - home of Henry VIII's beloved flagship that's known right across the world. The wooden carrack was lost to The Solent during battle with the French, and it remained on the seabed for 436 years. Of course, the ship was famously raised in 1982, in the largest marine salvage operation ever undertaken. Now, following decades of intense restoration work, the ship can be seen more clearly than ever before. You can even head through the air lock to be in the same room as the ship and get a multi-sensory experience. 

Also within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the world-renowned HMS Warrior - the warship that was said to have made all others obsolete on the day it was launched. Despite being the fastest, most armoured and best defended ship of its day, Warrior never fired a shot in anger, but was instead used as a deterrent. 

Then there's HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship on which he sailed into the Battle of Trafalgar. Victory is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration project to ensure the ship can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. This doesn't mean the ship is out of bounds, though. If anything it adds a new dimension to the visit, with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard opening up the work to visitors, so you can see the expert work that goes into maintaining such a historic vessel. 

On top of all this you can take in the National Museum of the Royal Navy, shipbuilding at Boathouse 4, a harbour tour, and loads more besides. Plus, your ticket is valid for an entire year, so you can return as much as you please - entirely free! 

You can continue exploring Portsmouth's history at The D-Day Story - the only museum dedicated solely to the Normandy Campaign that helped turn the tide of World War II. Visitors are put in the shoes of those who took part in D-Day, with artefacts used alongside personal testimonies to keep veterans' stories alive for future generations. 

A visit to The D-Day Story begins aboard LCT 7074, the enormous Tank Landing Craft that's the only one of its kind still in existence. The vessel carried up to 10 tanks and their crew across the Channel, before embarking on a new life as a nightclub in Liverpool (eventually sinking into Birkenhead docks and being restored in an enormous restoration project). 

After going around the LCT you head into the main museum, the explore the build-up to D-Day, the campaign itself, and the legacy that continued afterwards. You can also see the breathtaking Overlord Embroidery, an 83-metre long depiction of D-Day by the Royal School of Needlework that is longer than the Bayeux Tapestry. 

There's more to see (quite literally!) at the Spinnaker Tower, where a trip up to the view decks offers stunning vistas of city, coast and country. 

Take the high speed lift up to View Deck 1, 100 metres above sea level. From here you can look out across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, back over Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, out across the city skyline and even up towards the South Downs. On a clear day the view stretches for 23 miles. 

Brave visitors can walk across the glass floor, looking down through the tower's struts to the harbour below. Or, the really brave can book on to abseil down the side of the tower (available April to September). It may be daunting, but the abseil offers unrivalled views, as well as an experience to remember for the rest of your life. 

View Deck 2 hosts The Clouds café, where you can enjoy a high tea in every sense. As day turns to night it's also the location of the new Sky Bar, where you can try some delicious cocktails with a view like no other. 

Finally, View Deck 3 is the Sky Garden, with its open roof exposing visitors to the elements. It's often windy and really makes you appreciate just how high up you are. 

Don't forget about events at the tower either. There's a host of goings on all year round, from family activities during half term to comedy nights, parties and more. Be sure to check what's on ahead of your visit to really make the most of your trip to the coast. 

Head down from Spinnaker Tower and you'll be in Gunwharf Quays - the waterfront outlet shopping centre. Here you'll find over 90 retailers offering 60% off RRP. There's fashion (including Ralph Lauren, Joules and Mint Velvet), sportswear (Nike, Adidas and Under Armour), footwear (Loake, Clarks and Timberland) homewares (Le Creuset, White Stuff and Bedeck), and even places to enjoy a sweet treat (Lindt, Cadbury and Haribo). 

As well as all the shops Gunwharf Quays is home to over 30 restaurants, coffee shops and bars. There's food and drink to enjoy from all over the world, with big names including Pizza Express, Brasserie Blanc, Wagamama, Carluccio's, Nando's, Five Guys and more. 

You can also enjoy coffee from the likes of Costa, Caffé Nero and Parade Tearooms, or something stronger from The Old Customs House, Alchemist or The Liquorist. 

If all that wasn't enough, Gunwharf Quays also houses a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, contemporary art gallery and Miniport - offering something for all ages and interests. 

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As well as the year-round attractions, Portsmouth hosts a chock-full calendar of events. Still to come this year is two fireworks displays simultaneously - one on Southsea Common and another at Alexandra Park on 1 November as well as Portsmouth on Ice (featuring a real ice rink in Guildhall Square) and more pantomimes than you'd fit into Widow Twankey's bloomers. 

If you're planning ahead to next summer, how about taking in arguably the biggest event in Portsmouth's calendar - Victorious Festival? Every August Bank Holiday sees Southsea Common transformed into the country's largest metropolitan music festival - with big-name music acts performing alongside a stellar comedy line up and a dedicated family arena full of shows, interactive activities, stalls and music. 

Next year's event will take place from 23 to 25 August and Early Bird tickets are already on sale - so grab yours now to not only secure your spot at next year's event but get a discounted price too. 

Though the line up hasn't yet been revealed, fear not - Victorious Festival is sure to have the biggest names in music across its many stages. Recent years have welcomed the likes of Mumford & Sons, Ellie Goulding, Kasabian, McFly, Sam Fender, Anne-Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini, The Streets, Nile Rodgers, New Order and Manic Street Preachers to Southsea Common. 

If all this has encouraged you to book a trip then you don't need to worry about transport - Portsmouth may be an island city but getting here is a breeze. For motorists the M275 motorway takes you right into the heart of the city. Alternatively, Portsmouth is served by direct trains from London, with South Western Railway offering journey times of under 90 minutes. Not only is the train a more environmental way to travel than driving, you don't need the car when you arrive - everything is an easy walk away. In fact, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and Spinnaker Tower are all a stone's throw from one another, with The D-Day Story a short and enjoyable walk away, just along the seafront. 

To find out more about how to get to Portsmouth, where to stay, what to do when you get here, and what's on during your trip, head to visitportsmouth.co.uk for all the details.