Portsmouth, the Waterfront City, is that the UK’s only island city. Separated from the mainland by a narrow creek, it’s only three approach roads with which to enter the town . the most M275 links from the M27 down into the centre of the town , the A2030 “Eastern Road” into Southsea, and therefore the A3, the most highway through the town .
Portsmouth’s youth began with a Roman Fort within the Saxon era, which still remains today as Portchester Castle. As now life here revolved round the sea, little did the Saxons know that their little fishing village would become a serious garrison town which might continue to become the most naval base of 1 of the best empires in history. Over the centuries, Portsmouth has also been home to a number of England’s finest. it had been the birthplace of Dickens and sometime home of Kipling , Arthur Conan Doyle and Sellers .
To the west of the island lies Portsmouth Harbour and Historic Dockyard, while to the east is that the nature reserve of Langstone Harbour and therefore the Farlington Marshes. To the north, Portsdown Hill occupies the view while Southsea lies to the south, and across the water, the Isle of Wight. In Southsea, you will find attractions like the Royal Marines museum, Southsea Castle and therefore the D-Day Museum with its beautiful centrepiece, the Overlord Embroidery.
Portsmouth’s history is rich and varied, its harbour has witnessed a number of the foremost momentous occasions of England’s maritime and wartime past, etched forever within the history and spectacle that’s today’s tourist trail. From its origins in Tudor England, Portsmouth has been one among the centres from where the Royal Navy controlled the seas. Bombed and flattened in WWII, Portsmouth has been the seat of the Royal Navy for over five hundred years. Although fortifications have stood here since the Roman era, Portsmouth’s golden moment in history came on 6th June 1944 with the launch of Operation Overlord.
Portsmouth is renowned for its Naval History probably the foremost famous of all is Nelsons Flag ships “HMS Victory”. this is often situated within the Historic Dockyard, one among the highest ten heritage attractions within the UK, along side HMS Warrior the primary “Iron Clad” warship and Henry VIII’s ill-fated “Mary Rose”. In Gosport, a brief ferry ride off , is that the Submarine museum with HMS Alliance. All four of those vessels are often toured.
The more modern naval ships are often viewed by boat by taking one among the harbour tours that start at several locations across the town .
For those that plan to stay within the town walls and would really like to try to to something under cover there’s a wealth of other historic venues including the town Museum, Royal Marines Museum, Southsea Castle, explanation Museum, Dickens House and therefore the D Day Museum with the OverLord Tapestry.
We even have the Blue reef aquarium.
Attractions that are outside include The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth tallest building with panoramic views, The Model village, South Parade Pier, Clarence Parade with its Funfair, 9 hole Pitch and placed on the beach front, Millennium Walk, Southmoor Wildlife Reserve on Farlington Marsh, Historic Dockyard with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and therefore the Mary Rose.
There are numerous parks within the town Victoria Park, Canoe Lake, Southsea Common, Milton Park, and Bransbury Park, with Staunton Country Park and Queen Elizabeth Country Park a brief chase away .
The Renaissance Trail may be a self-guided, historic tour, which can take you from Spur Redoubt in Old Portsmouth to the gateway of the Historic Dockyard.
The Millennium Promenades stretch over 6km on each side of Portsmouth Harbour and your tour will take you to a number of Portsmouth’s most famous landmarks and attractions. The trail is marked by a sequence motif set into the pavement and knowledge boards to mark historic spots. Audio-guides are available from the Portsmouth Tourist Information Centre.
The Nelson Trail will take you thru the old parts of Portsmouth concerning flag officer Nelson and Portsmouth at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Of course as you’d expect with a waterfront city we even have numerous beaches ranging along the length of the town .
Shopping in Portsmouth is found in three main areas, Cascades plaza , Southsea plaza and Gunwharfs Outlet shopping.
Outside the town , only a brief chase away on the M27 to the west is another outlet-park – Whitely village.
The main area for an evening out is Gunwharf Quays where you’ll find the Spinnaker tower, over 20 bars and restaurants, Cinema, Bowling Complex, Casino, along side an outsized underground parking lot . There are many other places to travel including Port Solent Marina just outside the town .
Just outside of the town only a brief chase away there’s still plenty to try to to .
Portchester Castle lying to the west of Portsmouth may be a well preserved castle providing a mirror into some 2000 year’s of Britain’s history.
To the North along the A3 there’s Staunton Country Park, with 1000 acres of landscaped parkland with ornamental lake, The south’s largest glasshouse, Golden jubilee maze. For the youngsters there’s a farm and play area.
A little further along the A3 is Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire’s biggest country Park. it’s over 20 miles of trails for walker’s cyclists and horse riders and therefore the highest point on the South Downs. It also has 1400 acres of open access woodland and downland and Butser Hill National Nature Reserve
Only a brief distance across the water is that the Isle of Weight, there are several means of travelling across the water. As a foot passenger you’ll use the Hovercraft or if you’d like better to take your car to explore a touch further there are regular ferries leaving throughout the day.