Portsmouth

Portsmouth (pronounced "ports-muth" and nicknamed "Pompey") is a large city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England. Portsmouth plays a major role in British history, especially naval history. Its rich heritage offers a variety of attractions, including the Historical Dockyard, which houses some of the most historical warships in the world – HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship used at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and the Mary Rose, a Tudor-era warship. Portsmouth has two cathedrals, including the Romanesque Portsmouth Cathedral, 12 museums, most of which are free, and two theatres. The city offers excellent shopping facilities in the Gunwharf Quays complex, home to a variety of designer stores including Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and Barbour, as well as the striking landmark Spinnaker Tower, which offers excellent views of the Solent and City.

Portsmouth is also known for its literary history, as the birthplace of Charles Dickens, the famous Victorian era novelist, and the pioneering engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Other famous figures to have lived here are HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling. The city is well served by three musical venues, The Wedgewood Rooms, Guildhall and Pyramids, which regularly host major musical and comedy acts.

The majority of the city of Portsmouth lies on Portsea Island, though it is separated from the mainland only by a roughly 30-m wide stretch of sea water, so is perhaps more accurately thought of as a peninsula. Historically, Portsmouth has long been an important naval port and builds on its rich heritage with memorials, museums, trails and the fascinating Historic Dockyard. It has four miles of seafront, including pebbled beaches. It is a university city, home to the University of Portsmouth, and has a large multicultural student population.

Portsmouth has a population of 200,000 people and is the most densely populated city in the UK, outside of certain parts of London. The entire Portsmouth Urban Area is home to more than 442,000 people.

• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Located in the naval base, the Historic Dockyard has a number of historic ships including the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. In the Historic Dockyard is also Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations - an interactive look at the navy of today. There is a great old pub outside of dockyard called the Ship Anson, worth a try. Portsmouth Visitor Information Centre can be found adjacent to the visitor entrance of the dockyard.
• Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, +44 23 9285 7520. Daily 10AM-6PM (until 10PM Sa and every day during Jul and Aug). This striking and highly-visible £21 million landmark tower rises some 170 m above the redeveloping harbour of Portsmouth, symbolising the wind filling a spinnaker sail. Visitors can use the tower to view from 3 levels: at 100 m, 105 m and 115 m. A high-speed internal lift takes you to the top. Adult £7, child £5.50, concessions £6.20.
• Southsea Castle. Built in 1544, the castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England's coasts to protect the country from invaders. Heavily modified due to being in use until the end of World War II. Contains a rather random selection of cannon that have ended up in the collection of Portsmouth city council over the years.
• Southsea Seafront. 4 miles of seafront promenade backed by gorgeous green spaces and gardens.
• Southsea model village, Lumps Fort, Eastney Esplanade, PO4 9RU (seafront, +44 7825 558231. 10:30AM-5:00PM.
• Southsea Rose garden. Inside the 19th-century Lumps Fort.

• Portsmouth Cathedral, High St, PO1 2HH, +44 23 9282 3300. A Romanesque Anglican cathedral in the old town.
• St John's Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Crispian Way, PO1 3HQ, +44 23 9282 6170. A Catholic cathedral in the city centre.
• Royal Garrison Church, PO1 2NJ, +44 23 9237 8291. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM. A partly roofless English Heritage property. Only occasionally open to the public.

Portsmouth Cathedral, High St, PO1 2HH, +44 23 9282 3300. A Romanesque Anglican cathedral in the old town.

St John's Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Crispian Way, PO1 3HQ, +44 23 9282 6170. A Catholic cathedral in the city centre.

Royal Garrison Church, PO1 2NJ, +44 23 9237 8291. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM. A partly roofless English Heritage property. Only occasionally open to the public.

• Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, +44 23 9281 9385. Daily 10AM-5PM (except Dec 24-26). Covers the history of the Royal Marines. The museum is in what was one of the most stately Officers' Messes in England, built in the 1860s with beautiful ceilings, huge paintings and a grand staircase. Adult £9.
• D-Day Museum. Daily (except 24-26 Dec) Apr-Oct 10AM-5:30PM; Nov-Mar 10AM-5PM.
• Blue Reef Aquarium, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, +44 23 9287 5222. Daily except 25 Dec 10AM-6PM (Nov-Mar until 5PM). Take an undersea safari at the aquarium on the seafront. Adult £9.75.
• Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, 393 Old Commercial Rd. Daily from mid Apr-Dec 10AM-5:30PM. The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in this modest house in 1812.
• Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Eastern Parade, PO4 9RF, +44 23 9281 5276. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. A fairly limited collection. Free.
• City Museum & Records Office, Museum Rd, PO1 2LJ. Home of the Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes exhibition "A Study in Sherlock".

Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, +44 23 9281 9385. Daily 10AM-5PM (except Dec 24-26). Covers the history of the Royal Marines. The museum is in what was one of the most stately Officers' Messes in England, built in the 1860s with beautiful ceilings, huge paintings and a grand staircase. Adult £9.

D-Day Museum. Daily (except 24-26 Dec) Apr-Oct 10AM-5:30PM; Nov-Mar 10AM-5PM.

Blue Reef Aquarium, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, +44 23 9287 5222. Daily except 25 Dec 10AM-6PM (Nov-Mar until 5PM). Take an undersea safari at the aquarium on the seafront. Adult £9.75.

Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, 393 Old Commercial Rd. Daily from mid Apr-Dec 10AM-5:30PM. The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in this modest house in 1812.

Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Eastern Parade, PO4 9RF, +44 23 9281 5276. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. A fairly limited collection. Free.

City Museum & Records Office, Museum Rd, PO1 2LJ. Home of the Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes exhibition "A Study in Sherlock".

• Portchester Castle, Church Road, Portchester, PO16 9QW, +44 23 9237 8291. About 5 miles from Portsmouth is one of the best preserved Roman fortifications in Northern Europe. The castle's keep was built in Norman times (largely from recycled Roman brick) and extensive late Roman structures remain although ruinous. The castle is well sign posted, and served by regular buses, Portchester rail station is a 10-min walk north. adults £5.00, children £3.00, concessions £4.50.
• Portsdown Hill. Offers amazing views across Portsmouth and the South Downs. Just to the rear (north) of Portsmouth, it is a world away with countryside walks and traditional pubs.
• The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson. Sits just on Portsdown Hill and is free of charge to visit.

Portchester Castle, Church Road, Portchester, PO16 9QW, +44 23 9237 8291. About 5 miles from Portsmouth is one of the best preserved Roman fortifications in Northern Europe. The castle's keep was built in Norman times (largely from recycled Roman brick) and extensive late Roman structures remain although ruinous. The castle is well sign posted, and served by regular buses, Portchester rail station is a 10-min walk north. adults £5.00, children £3.00, concessions £4.50.

Portsdown Hill. Offers amazing views across Portsmouth and the South Downs. Just to the rear (north) of Portsmouth, it is a world away with countryside walks and traditional pubs.

The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson. Sits just on Portsdown Hill and is free of charge to visit.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Located in the naval base, the Historic Dockyard has a number of historic ships including the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. In the Historic Dockyard is also Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations - an interactive look at the navy of today. There is a great old pub outside of dockyard called the Ship Anson, worth a try. Portsmouth Visitor Information Centre can be found adjacent to the visitor entrance of the dockyard.

Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, +44 23 9285 7520. Daily 10AM-6PM (until 10PM Sa and every day during Jul and Aug). This striking and highly-visible £21 million landmark tower rises some 170 m above the redeveloping harbour of Portsmouth, symbolising the wind filling a spinnaker sail. Visitors can use the tower to view from 3 levels: at 100 m, 105 m and 115 m. A high-speed internal lift takes you to the top. Adult £7, child £5.50, concessions £6.20.

Southsea Castle. Built in 1544, the castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England's coasts to protect the country from invaders. Heavily modified due to being in use until the end of World War II. Contains a rather random selection of cannon that have ended up in the collection of Portsmouth city council over the years.

Southsea Seafront. 4 miles of seafront promenade backed by gorgeous green spaces and gardens.

Southsea model village, Lumps Fort, Eastney Esplanade, PO4 9RU (seafront, +44 7825 558231. 10:30AM-5:00PM.

Southsea Rose garden. Inside the 19th-century Lumps Fort.

• Southsea Common, Southsea, PO5 3AE, +44 23 9282 8112. Relax on the common with a picnic or barbecue. See this guide for where they are permitted.
• Follow the Renaissance Trail around the Millennium Promenade, a self-guided walk with information along the way -- look for the chain in the pavement.
• Clarence Pier. A small fairground close to the Hoverport with rides and amusement arcades.
• The Bandstand, Southsea, PO5 3NT. Listen to live music here every Sunday in the summer.
• Portsmouth FC, Fratton Park, Frogmore Rd, PO4 8RA. Portsmouth FC play soccer in League 1, the third tier of English football.
• Portsmouth Rugby Football Club, Norway Road, PO3 5EP, +44 23 9266 0610.
• The annual Victorious Music Festival has been running since 2012 with big name acts such as Ray Davies headlining and up to 80,000 people attending.

If you like a bit of nightlife, there are four parts of town you should visit;

• Gunwharf Quays is a great place to eat and drink (over 20 bars & restaurants, many with waterfront views) but can be a little pricey
• Albert Road has a fair few student pubs, wine bars and cafe-bars, not to mention the numerous Indian restaurants.
• The lesser-known but nicer area of Southsea is Palmerston Road - some bars and good restaurants.
• Guildhall Walk, where you will find bars such as Walkabout, Yates and Wetherspoons, and clubs Route 66 and Babylon. Strictly for 18-30s.
• Liquid & Envy is also close to the Guildhall (just across from Portsmouth & Southsea station).

Southsea Common, Southsea, PO5 3AE, +44 23 9282 8112. Relax on the common with a picnic or barbecue. See this guide for where they are permitted.

Follow the Renaissance Trail around the Millennium Promenade, a self-guided walk with information along the way -- look for the chain in the pavement.

Clarence Pier. A small fairground close to the Hoverport with rides and amusement arcades.

The Bandstand, Southsea, PO5 3NT. Listen to live music here every Sunday in the summer.

Portsmouth FC, Fratton Park, Frogmore Rd, PO4 8RA. Portsmouth FC play soccer in League 1, the third tier of English football.

Portsmouth Rugby Football Club, Norway Road, PO3 5EP, +44 23 9266 0610.

The annual Victorious Music Festival has been running since 2012 with big name acts such as Ray Davies headlining and up to 80,000 people attending.

Gunwharf Quays is a great place to eat and drink (over 20 bars & restaurants, many with waterfront views) but can be a little pricey

Albert Road has a fair few student pubs, wine bars and cafe-bars, not to mention the numerous Indian restaurants.

The lesser-known but nicer area of Southsea is Palmerston Road - some bars and good restaurants.

Guildhall Walk, where you will find bars such as Walkabout, Yates and Wetherspoons, and clubs Route 66 and Babylon. Strictly for 18-30s.

Liquid & Envy is also close to the Guildhall (just across from Portsmouth & Southsea station).

• Portsmouth City Centre. Usual high street names, but has Miss Selfridge, Topshop, H&M, New Look and Primark next to one another.
• Gunwharf Quays. Outlet centre, with shops like M&S, Cadburys, Claire's, GAP. Some of the prices are cheaper than the high streets, but likewise some are similar or more expensive so shopping around is a good idea.
• Southsea Town Centre. A variety of small specialist shops, boutiques, art shops, delis, home furnishings. Also Debenhams and Knight & Lee.
• Albert Road. A good bet for smaller (independent) shops, second-hand goods and antiques.

Portsmouth City Centre. Usual high street names, but has Miss Selfridge, Topshop, H&M, New Look and Primark next to one another.

Gunwharf Quays. Outlet centre, with shops like M&S, Cadburys, Claire's, GAP. Some of the prices are cheaper than the high streets, but likewise some are similar or more expensive so shopping around is a good idea.

Southsea Town Centre. A variety of small specialist shops, boutiques, art shops, delis, home furnishings. Also Debenhams and Knight & Lee.

Albert Road. A good bet for smaller (independent) shops, second-hand goods and antiques.

Portsmouth has hundreds of restaurants catering to all tastes. Towards Fareham, the marina Port Solent offers a variety of restaurants in a pleasant environment with a multiplex movie theatre nearby, and ample (free) onsite parking.

• The American Bar, 58 White Hart Rd, +44 23 9281 1585. Old Portsmouth. Modern European cuisine. Also great but you can drop a lot of money in this place, which has great service!
• Bangkok, 64 Albert Road, +44 23 9242 9922. A nice Thai place where you can take your own drink.
• Mozzarella Joes, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, +44 23 9229 5004. A relatively new restaurant right on the pebbles, with the most amazing views of the Solent. Great for a cold glass of wine, stonebaked pizza and pasta.
• Regal House, 88 Albert Road, +44 23 9282 8382. Chinese takeaway.
• Rosie's Vineyard, 87 Elm Grove, Southsea, +44 23 9275 5944. French/modern European. Wonderful wine selection food and atmosphere.
• Sur La Mer, 69 Palmerston Road, +44 23 9287 6678. French.
• Strada, Gunwharf Quays, +44 23 9281 7278. Italian.
• The Tenth Hole Tea Room, (next to mini-golf course), +44 23 9283 0009. Great for light lunch but the highlight is the amazing home-made cakes.

Best places for curry: Portsmouth offers a variety of Indian restaurants thanks to its prominent Asian community. The best places are Albert road where the curries are cheap as there is a restaurant literally every couple of shops, and Palmerston road which is more expensive.

• The Bombay Brasserrie, Albert Road, +44 23 9282 1661. Very popular curry house that offers very good value for money and that lets you bring your own drinks. Arrive early.

Best Indian takeaway:

• The Indian Ocean Takeaway, 234 Fratton Road, +44 23 9282 4720. Probably the longest serving curry outlet in Portsmouth, established in the early 1980s by the current owner/chef. The quality of the food is of the highest quality and their curries are also priced very reasonably.

The American Bar, 58 White Hart Rd, +44 23 9281 1585. Old Portsmouth. Modern European cuisine. Also great but you can drop a lot of money in this place, which has great service!

Bangkok, 64 Albert Road, +44 23 9242 9922. A nice Thai place where you can take your own drink.

Mozzarella Joes, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, +44 23 9229 5004. A relatively new restaurant right on the pebbles, with the most amazing views of the Solent. Great for a cold glass of wine, stonebaked pizza and pasta.

Regal House, 88 Albert Road, +44 23 9282 8382. Chinese takeaway.

Rosie's Vineyard, 87 Elm Grove, Southsea, +44 23 9275 5944. French/modern European. Wonderful wine selection food and atmosphere.

Sur La Mer, 69 Palmerston Road, +44 23 9287 6678. French.

Strada, Gunwharf Quays, +44 23 9281 7278. Italian.

The Tenth Hole Tea Room, (next to mini-golf course), +44 23 9283 0009. Great for light lunch but the highlight is the amazing home-made cakes.

The Bombay Brasserrie, Albert Road, +44 23 9282 1661. Very popular curry house that offers very good value for money and that lets you bring your own drinks. Arrive early.

The Indian Ocean Takeaway, 234 Fratton Road, +44 23 9282 4720. Probably the longest serving curry outlet in Portsmouth, established in the early 1980s by the current owner/chef. The quality of the food is of the highest quality and their curries are also priced very reasonably.

As to be expected from an historic port town, and a current university city, there is an abundance of drinking establishments in Portsmouth, from traditional pubs to chic and trendy waterfront bars. The bars and clubs along Guildhall Walk are a popular spot but despite heavy police presence, a certain degree of vigilance is advised to ensure you have a fun and safe night out.

• The Fat Fox, Albert Road. nice relaxed atmosphere, beer garden, traditional English pub menu.
• The Wine Vaults, Albert Road. Good cask ales and great atmosphere arrive early if you want a seat.
• Hole in the Wall, on or near Castle Road, off Elm Grove. Small pub with a 'traditional' feel, and real ales.
• Slug & Lettuce. Friendly and well priced contemporary bar on Palmerston Road.
• The Honest Politician, Elm Grove. A pub with pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere, and always a rocking soundtrack.
• The White Horse A pub with a relaxed atmosphere along Southsea Terrace.
• The Registry. A student pub near the Student Union with fairly cheap beer and food. Not a place for a quiet drink.
• The Deco. Friendly rock and alternative, sometimes metal bar.

The Fat Fox, Albert Road. nice relaxed atmosphere, beer garden, traditional English pub menu.

The Wine Vaults, Albert Road. Good cask ales and great atmosphere arrive early if you want a seat.

Hole in the Wall, on or near Castle Road, off Elm Grove. Small pub with a 'traditional' feel, and real ales.

Slug & Lettuce. Friendly and well priced contemporary bar on Palmerston Road.

The Honest Politician, Elm Grove. A pub with pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere, and always a rocking soundtrack.

The White Horse A pub with a relaxed atmosphere along Southsea Terrace.

The Registry. A student pub near the Student Union with fairly cheap beer and food. Not a place for a quiet drink.

The Deco. Friendly rock and alternative, sometimes metal bar.

• The Old Customs House, Vernon Buildings, PO1 3TY, +44 23 9283 2333. A traditional pub in a historic building, within a modern setting. Great ales and food.
• Tiger Tiger, Gunwharf Rd, PO1 3TP, +44 23 9288 2244. A place for a big night out - with 8 different bars, a club and restaurant in the same building!

The Old Customs House, Vernon Buildings, PO1 3TY, +44 23 9283 2333. A traditional pub in a historic building, within a modern setting. Great ales and food.

Tiger Tiger, Gunwharf Rd, PO1 3TP, +44 23 9288 2244. A place for a big night out - with 8 different bars, a club and restaurant in the same building!

• The Still & West, 2 Bath Square, PO1 2JL, +44 23 9282 1567. A pub with a good view of harbour entrance and restaurant upstairs.
• Spice Island Inn, 1 Bath Square, PO1 2JL, +44 23 9287 0543. Also has amazing views of the harbour in action and a good restaurant.

The Still & West, 2 Bath Square, PO1 2JL, +44 23 9282 1567. A pub with a good view of harbour entrance and restaurant upstairs.

Spice Island Inn, 1 Bath Square, PO1 2JL, +44 23 9287 0543. Also has amazing views of the harbour in action and a good restaurant.

As with most other large English cities, there can be a problem with violence around the city centre at weekends, around pub and club closing times (around 11PM and 2AM), but with a little common sense, the risk is minor.

The main place to avoid is Somerstown, the highrise council estate near the city centre, especially after dark. Buckland situated to the north of the city centre should also be avoided at night.

Nothing should be left on display in vehicles and it's sensible to park your car in a Park Marque scheme facility (ask at the Visitor Info Centre +44 23 9282 6722).

Due to football rivalry, wearing a Southampton football top may cause some problems in the city. In fact, anything with red and white vertical stripes (Southampton's colours) is probably a bad idea.

• Gosport shares the harbour with Portsmouth and can be reached by a short ferry ride from by Portsmouth Harbour station. Home of Explosion: Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Naval Submarine Museum.
• Winchester, the former English capital, is a beautiful city worth a visit. Excellent restaurants, interesting shops and the famous cathedral.
• Chichester housing a lovely city centre and impressive cathedral
• Emsworth this small fishing town is a nice retreat year round, but the food festival in the first week of September is a real treat, not to be missed if you are in the area.
• New Forest, on the other side of Southampton, is one of the nicest rural getaways in England.
• Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire and West Quay is the South's premier shopping centre.
• Isle of Wight
• Brighton - One direct train per hour takes 80 minutes to this buzzy resort.

[[Southampton]] is the largest city in [[Hampshire]] and West Quay is the South's premier shopping centre.