Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a vibrant and dynamic city on the seafront full of good reasons to visit. Portsmouth offers something for everyone, ranging from pomp and ceremony of our proud naval and maritime heritage to a wealth of international attractions to visitors and museums to galleries to unique shopping destinations and great restaurants and miles of beautiful waterfront. The only island city in the UK is an ideal place for a short break along the sea, ideally located on the South Coast of England. Portsmouth has many things to do, with beautiful museums, music venues, galleries of contemporary art, two cathedrals, a diverse literary heritage, nightlife, festivals and a myriad of events all year long.

In your downtime, you will be spoiled for choice. Watch the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth or check out the shops and cafes of the area. Come and discover the past of the Historic Dockyard at our shopping area Gunwharf Quays or grab some fish and chips for a picnic on Southsea Common. The many bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs in Portsmouth make for an amazing evening as the sun sets. Or take part in a performance at one of the theatres. From summer festivals to the Great South Run and the American Cup, the city hosts important sporting and cultural events.

The city was the home to Arthur Konan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling during their lives. Portsmouth was the home of Charles Dickens. These literary greats are celebrated with frequent events and in museums throughout the city. If there are large outdoor activities on the Southsea Common, a 100-acres open space right on the seashore, they will probably be hosted in Portsmouth. This is a popular place for sports, picnics and dog rides. The Common has recently hosted several major events, including the America’s Cup World Series and Victorious Music Festival.

Southsea Castle is located on the Common, one of the most famous fortifications of King Henry VIII. Henry is said to have watched his Mary Rose, a flagship vessel sinking, from the viewpoint of the castle.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, UK’s leading naval history destination, is also located. There are 11 attractions inside the building, including Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory flagship, HMS Warrior 1860, and the Royal Navy National Museum. The harbour tours also allow you to get onto the water and to visit the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Explosion Museum by boat to Gosport.

Hey, don’t forget, of course, which quickly becomes the Emirates spinnaker tower, the modern emblem of Portsmouth. It is 170 meters higher than Big Ben, London Eye and Blackpool Tower and extends over the Gunwharf Quays. On an excellent day, you can watch a panorama of 350 degrees stretching up to 11 km.

From head to toe, Portsmouth is certainly the Great Waterfront City with all this and more available on a small island. And culture and fun for everyone. Just join one of our tours to Portsmouth and let’s explore Royal’s historic naval city together.