Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Type:Cities

Portsmouth Visitor Information Service, VIS and D-Day Story, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hants, PO5 3AA

Tel: +44 023 9282 6722

Spinnaker Tower

About

With a rich maritime and naval history, Portsmouth's fortunes have long been intimately tied to the sea. Even today, many of Portsmouth's most stunning features and most popular attractions are found near the harbour.

From the imposing Spinnaker Tower standing tall and proud at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour, to the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Victory, you'll find a huge range of things to see and do - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to some of the most impressive historic ships in the world – with the remains of Henry VIII's Mary Rose, Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, and HMS Warrior 1860 the largest and fastest of all Royal Navy ships at the time, all found here.

If you love to shop, Gunwharf Quays is an absolute must. With over 90 premium retail outlets and up to 60% off the RRP, plus over 30 delicious restaurants, Gunwharf Quays really will leave you spoilt for choice. Visit today to experience the idyllic South Coast setting while you save on your favourite designer brands. But it doesn’t stop there…on top of late-night shop and restaurant opening there is a Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl and Grosvenor Casino. You many come for the shopping, but you’ll stay for the views.

Kids will love the Blue Reef Aquarium. On sunny days the whole family can follow the Old City Walls and enjoy an ice-cream on the seafront. Portsmouth Guildhall provides one of the south's premier entertainment venues.

Things to do in Portsmouth

  • Take a walk along the beach, dip your toes in the water and explore the area's two famous piers at Southsea Seafront.
  • Discover historic Old Portsmouth, home to lamp-lit cobbled streets, historic fortifications and some great places to eat. You'll also find Portsmouth Cathedral and the resident artist-makers at the Hotwalls Studios.
  • Follow in the footsteps of Henry VIII at Southsea Castle
  • Shop till you drop in the wonderful Gunwharf Quays or enjoy the incredible views over the city from the top of the nearby Spinnaker Tower.
  • Visit the D-Day Story to learn all about the incredible bravery and stories behind the D-Day Landings.  See the last survivng Landing Craft Tank from D-Day - LCT 7074 and the colourful Overlord Embroidery,  272 feet (83 metres) in length, the largest work of its kind in the world. 
  • Step onboard the fantastic HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar and one of the oldest and best preserved ships in the country.
  • Visit HMS M.33 one of just three British warships from World War I still in existence.
  • Explore the National Museum of the Royal Navy to hear the stories of ordinary men and women who served.
  • Portsmouth is also the birthplace of Charles Dickens - find out more about one of Britain's most famous literary figures at the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum.
  • Visit Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery and discover the world's largest collection of memorabilia relating to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and an ever-changing collection of artworks.
  • Enjoy a walk along Portsea Island's northern coast, to see the woods, historic monuments and lakes at Hilsea Lines. 
  • Enjoy the relaxed pace of Southsea, where you can do a spot of boutique shopping, tuck into some global cuisine, or try out the local produce. After all the exploring you can relax on Southsea Common or take a walk along the miles of seafront.
  • Find out what's on in Portsmouth this weekend in our Hampshire events guide.

Places to visit near Portsmouth

Explore the local area in these towns and villages near Portsmouth.

Visiting Portsmouth is easy. If you are travelling by road, use the Portsmouth Park and Ride, located on the M275 on the way into the city.  It's just a short hop - 7 minutes to The Hard Interchange (bus terminal) situated next to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth Harbour Train Station, Gosport Ferry and Wightlink Fast Cat departure terminal (inside the train station). Its just £4 to park and ride for up to five people, quick, simple and sustainable.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Hampshire?  You can find other accommodation choices and more about visiting at www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

What's Nearby

  1. Portsmouth Guildhall

    Portsmouth Guildhall is one of the premier event and entertainment venues on the South…

    0.22 miles away
  2. The New Theatre Royal

    The New Theatre Royal in the heart of Portsmouth is an iconic Victorian building and one…

    0.23 miles away
  3. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

    Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth,…

    0.25 miles away
  1. Spinnaker Tower

    View things differently at the top of Britain’s best viewing tower – the stunning 170…

    0.7 miles away
  2. Harbour Tours


    Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy and taking the Harbour Tour offers…

    0.7 miles away
  3. Kings Theatre

    The dignified and beautiful Kings Theatre is one of the most elegant Edwardian playhouses…

    0.73 miles away
  4. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

    Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of…

    0.79 miles away
  5. The D-Day Story

    The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June…

    0.92 miles away
  6. Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

    Visit the first home of Britain's most famous Victorian author.

    0.94 miles away
  7. Blue Reef Aquarium

    Enter the Blue Reef Aquarium and take a safari from the depths of the Solent to the…

    0.97 miles away
  8. The Pyramids Centre

    One of Portsmouth’s largest health and wellbeing centres, located just off Southsea Beach.

    1.01 miles away
  9. Krazy Kaves

    A purpose-built play and party centre for toddlers through to 12-year olds.

    1.03 miles away
  10. Southsea Castle

    Built in 1544, Southsea Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by…

    1.06 miles away
  11. Falklands Gardens

    The Falkland Gardens, Gosport can be found at the eastern end of Gosport High Street.…

    1.11 miles away
  12. Cumberland House Natural History Museum

    See the flora and fauna of Portsmouth at Cumberland House - the Natural History Museum.

    1.22 miles away
  13. Gosport Discovery Centre

    In Gosport town centre you will find The Discovery Centre, where there is a surprising…

    1.42 miles away
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