Portsmouth
It is no surprise most of Portsmouth's attractions are centered around the sea, as the city has been home to the British Royal Navy for centuries. Portsmouth is the United Kingdoms only island city..
A narrow entrance protects the large natural harbour and with "protection" from the Isle Of Wight it was a natural location to home the military. As added protection heavy chains linked the Portsmouth and Gosport sides of the harbour entrance and if any enemy ships approached the harbour, the chains could be raised blocking their entry.
Old Portsmouth is appropriately named, as the area around the entrance of the harbour is where the then town originally developed the remainder of Portsea Island was, more or less, agricultural, a total contrast to today where most of the city hsa beenbuilt upon, although some lvely parks still remain.
Many of Portsmouth's oldest buildings can be found in Old Portsmouth and some survive, despite extensive bombing in World War Two, indeed some like the Garrison Church have become all the more iconic as a result of the bombing. There are plenty of walks in Old Portsmouth and many of the Tudor Ramparts remain.
It's in Old Portsmouth that the Press Gangs used to "enlist" unsuspecting drinkers into joining the Royal Navy - a common trick was to slip the "King's shilling" (which once accepted meant you had joined up) into the pewter beer pots of unsuspecting drinkers, who discovered they had unwittingly "taken" the shilling - this led to the development of using glass in beer containers so any shilling in the bottom of the glass could be seen and the beer not taken.In the 21st century most of the naval base is long gone and the old barracks have been put to new uses, the most notable being HMS Vernon, now home to Gunwharf Quays a shopping and leisure centre dominating the harbour.
The centre piece of the development is the 170m (558') Spinnaker Tower, which offers stunning views from the various viewing towers. (Open every day apart for Christmas day, admission is £19.50 for adults, £15.50 for children with discounts for seniors, local residents and £5 discount foronline booking in advance)
Below the tower is the Historic Dockyard, now turned into a major visitor attraction, and covers everything maritime. The "big three" being HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose as well as the newest attraction, a World War 1 minesweeper HMS M.33, not forgetting various museums and other attractions in the complex. An "all attraction" ticket costs from £46 adult and from £31child and is valid for a year. Unfortunately single attraction tickets are no longer available. Various discounts of up to 20% are available, far too many to mention here, check on their website here (opens in a new window).
If you are more interested in the Royal Marines than the Royal Navy then the Royal Marines Museum at Eastney is worth a visit.
Southsea is the resort area of the city with a long shingle beach. There are two piers, Clarence Pier is home to a funfair, whilst South Parade Pier is home to amusement arcades, a theatre and some cafes.
Southsea Castle, where Henry VIII watched the Mary Rose sink in 1545, it is open to the public, Tuesday - Sunday, April - October, admission free. Next door to the Castle is a more modern Museum in the shape of the D-Day museum, which tells the story of the invasion which changed the way of World War 2. The centrepiece of the museum is the Overlord Embroidery. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry it consists of 34 hand sewn panels, each one 2.4m x 0.9m (7.8' x 2.95') and telling the story of Overlord from its conception in 1940 through to the invasion in 1944. Adults £18.25, seniors £14.55, students and children £9.15, under 5's free. Discounts available if you book online in advance.
There is culture in Portsmouth as well and it is home to three theatres.
The Kings Theatre in Southsea, opened in 1907 it has had a checkered history and has almost closed several times. It was used to film the 1974 hit musical Tommy. The Theatre Royal in the city centre had a more troubled past. Opened in 1856 it closed in 1966, with the owners wanting it demolished, luckily the Council did not agree and although sitting neglected and even ravaged by fire in 1972 volunteers eventually managed to begin restoration work began and in 1986 the first performance in 20 years took place. Restoration work has carried on and as this is written in 2015 it has almost been fully restored to its former glory.
The third theatre is located in the Guildhall.
One of Portsmouth's most famous sons is Charles Dickens who was born at 393 Commercial Road (now Old Commercial road) and the house is now a museum, open in the summer only. Other notables from the city are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle creator of Sherlock Holmes and the author HG Wells. Sir Henry Ayres after whom the rock now known as Uluru was formerly named was born in the city. Others born in the city include Isambard Kingdom Brunell, former Prime Minister James Callaghan and the actor Peter Sellers.
(prices quoted correct as at May 2026)
Return to UK home page
Return to Coast Portsmouth to Dover