'''Portsmouth''' [http://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/] (pronounced "ports-muth", and nick-named "Pompey") is a city that is well worth a visit for those interested in British Naval history or British history in general. It is on the south coast of England, close to Southampton and The Isle of Wight.

Understand

The majority of the city of Portsmouth lies on Portsea island (though it is separated from the mainland only by a roughly 30-metre-wide stretch of sea water so is perhaps more accurately thought of as a peninsula) on the southern coast of England.

Historically, Portsmouth has always been an important naval port and builds on its rich heritage with memorials, museums, trails and the fascinating Historic Dockyard. Portsmouth has four miles of seafront (including pebbled beaches) and the distinctive Spinnaker Tower.

Portsmouth is also a university city, and so has a large student population.

Portsmouth has an approximate population of 190,200 people and is the most densely populated city in the UK, outside of certain parts of London.

Get in

Portsmouth can be reached by train from London, by motorway from anywhere in England and by ferry from France and Spain.

By plane

The nearest airport is '''Southampton Airport''' [http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/southampton/], located around 20 miles from Portsmouth in Eastleigh. Over 47 European destinations are served from here. There is a regular train service from Southampton airport train station (Parkway) to Portsmouth.

By train

Portsmouth is on the National Rail network. Direct trains from London take about 90 minutes from London Waterloo, a cheap day single is about __21. Other major services include Brighton (1 hour 40 minutes), Cardiff (3 hours 10 minutes) via Bath and Bristol; and Southampton (1 hour).

Alight at Portsmouth Harbour for the Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays, the Spinnaker Tower and Ferries to the Isle of Wight. Alight at Portsmouth & Southsea for Portsmouth City Centre shopping, Portsmouth Guildhall and a short walk to the seafront. Alight at Fratton for Fratton Park football stadium. Portsmouth is flat and very easy to get around, so taking public transport is recommended.

For those wishing to depart via train those unfamiliar with Portsmouth's train stations will find it is easy to miss them even when only a few feet away. Portsmouth Harbour is behind the bus station at The Hard. Portsmouth & Southsea is easily found at the bottom of Commercial Road if you look out for the railway bridge just south of the building. Fratton can be found to the east of the road bridge at the bottom of Fratton Road and north of the roundabout between Victoria Road North and Goldsmith Avenue. The lesser frequented Hilsea Station is underneath the road bridge at Norway Road and Cosham station is located on the Cosham High Street.

By car

Portsmouth is easily accessible by car via the M275 motorway with joins the M27 and A27. From London take the A3 or M3 south. As Portsmouth is an island city, routes in and out are limited and therefore congestion can be a problem, especially during rush hour.

Parking is plentiful both on street (about __1/hr) and in pay-and-display car parks. The city centre and Gunwharf Quays both have multi-storey car parks, and Southsea has on-street parking.

If you stroll a little away from the city centre and tourist hot spots (sometimes just around the corner in Southsea), parking can be found for free or in time-limited bays.

Motorcycles can park without a residents permit and within the marked bays. Gunwharf Quays also has a dedicated motorcycle bay in the underground car park.

If you're visiting the University, you can obtain day car passes from University House. However, the car parks are very busy during term-time.

By bus

Local bus routes stretch as far afield as Havant and Southampton. Day passes can be bought for __3.70 which allow you unlimited travel in the Portsmouth City area or __4.80 for the whole of Hampshire.

National Express travels into the Hard (few hundred yards from harbour and historic dockyard) with links to many of the country's major cities.

By boat

There are ferry services from four ports in France as well as Bilbao in Spain.

  • Saint-Malo
  • *Brittany Ferries/up to 2 daily/9 hrs [http://www.brittanyferries.com/]
  • Cherbourg
  • *Condor Ferries/1 Sunday service/5 hrs [http://www.condorferries.co.uk/]
  • *Brittany Ferries/up to 2 daily/3hrs (March - November only)
  • Caen
  • *Brittany Ferries/3 daily/5.45hrs (Year-round service)
  • *Brittany Ferries/1 daily/3.5hrs (Summer-only fast service on Fri/Sat/Sun)
  • Le Havre
  • *LD Lines/ 1 daily/8 hours overnight [http://www.ldlines.co.uk/services-portsmouth-le-havre.html/]
  • Bilbao
  • *P&O Ferries/2 weekly/35 hours
  • There are also services to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.

  • Guernsey
  • *Condor Ferries/1 daily/6hrs30min
  • Jersey
  • *Condor Ferries/1 daily/10hrs30min
  • The Isle of Wight is a under an hour's journey by ferry or a few minutes by hovercraft.

  • Fishbourne
  • *Wightlink/half-hourly during day/35 mins [http://www.wightlink.co.uk/]
  • Ryde
  • *Wightlink/half-hourly during day/15 mins
  • * Or catch the hovercraft every 15 minutes from Southsea seafront, operated by Hovertravel [http://www.hovertravel.co.uk].
  • The ferry to Gosport (for Submarine and Explosion museums) runs every 7 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes at other times until midnight. Cost is __2.20 return.

    Other Routes are present within the UK

    Get around

    Several bus companies operate within Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. A day travel ticket can be bought for __3.60 (__2.40 concessions). It is also possible to travel between the harbour and the city centre using the train. It is a compact, flat city however, and nowhere is a very long walk.

    At night, if you can find an elevated position you can navigate via the chain of blue lights along the sea-front, to the south.

    Here are some of the local names for the areas which may be useful for people visiting

  • The Hard, is the area around Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and Portsmouth Harbour Train and Bus Stations.
  • Old Portsmouth/Sallyport/Spice Island, This is the area around the Anglican Cathedral, Square & Round Tower, Camber Dock and along the sea walls.
  • Southsea, this is the area next to the sea at the Southern end of the island and it stretches further north to include Southsea Town Centre (Palmerston, Elm, Marmion and Albert Roads).
  • Commercial Road, City centre and main shopping & market street, home of Cascades shopping mall.
  • Fratton, area north of Southsea and east of Commercial Road only really of use if you are attending a football match at Fratton Park or changing trains at Fratton Station
  • See

  • '''Portsmouth Historic Dockyard''', [http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk]. Located in the naval base, the Historic Dockyard has a number of historic ships including the ''Mary Rose'', ''HMS Victory'' and ''HMS Warrior 1860''. In the Historic Dockyard there 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.
  • The '''Spinnaker Tower''', Gunwharf Quays, Telephone: +44 (0)23 9285 7520, [http://www.spinnakertower.co.uk/]. Open every day from 10AM-6PM (until 10PM on Saturdays 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 100m, 105m and 115m. A high speed internal lift takes you to the top. Admission adult __7.00, child __5.50, concessions __6.20.
  • '''Southsea Castle''', [http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk]. 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.
  • Southsea Seafront - 4 miles of seafront promenade backed by gorgeous green spaces and gardens.
  • '''Royal Marines Museum''', Southsea, Tel: 023 9281 9385 (''Fax: 023 9283 8420 E-mail: info@royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk''), [http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/]. Open every day (except Dec. 23-25 and Boxing day) 10AM-5PM. Discover the exciting story of the Royal Marines brought to life with dramatic and interactive displays. 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.
  • '''Portsmouth's Cathedrals''' Portsmouth is home to two cathedrals, '''St Thomas'''' in Old Portsmouth (Anglican) and '''St John's''' in the City Centre (Catholic).
  • '''D-Day Museum''', [http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk]. Open every day (except 24-26 Dec.) Apr-Oct 10AM-5.30PM; Nov-Mar 10AM-5PM. A fitting tribute to the sacrifice of the men & women who took part in the D-Day landings.
  • '''Blue Reef Aquarium''', Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Tel 023 92875222, [http://www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk]. Open every day except Christmas 10AM-5PM (Nov-Feb until 4PM). Take an undersea safari at the aquarium on the seafront.
  • Southsea model village (seafront)
  • Southsea Rose garden
  • '''Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum''', 393 Old Commercial Road, [http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk]. Open every day from mid Apr-Dec 10AM-5:30PM. The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in this modest house in Portsmouth, England in 1812.
  • Cumberland House Natural History Museum
  • '''City Museum & Records Office''', [http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk]. Home of the new Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes exhibition "A Study in Sherlock".
  • '''Spitbank Fort''', [http://www.spitbankfort.co.uk]. Located in the middle of the Solent is this man-made fort, built to defend Portsmouth in the 1800's. Take a trip out for a party night or Sunday dinner.
  • '''Royal Garrison Church''', a roofless English Heritage property.
  • Do

  • Relax on '''Southsea Common''' with a picnic.
  • Follow the '''Renaissance Trail around the Millennium Promenade''' - a self guided walk with information along the way, just look out for the chain in the pavement.
  • '''Clarence Pier''' - A small fairground close to the Hoverport with rides and amusement arcades.
  • Listen to live music at '''The Bandstand''' every Sunday in the summer.
  • Watch '''Premier League football''' at Fratton Park
  • If you like a bit of '''night life''' 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''' is 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.
  • '''Liquid & Envy''' is Portsmouth's newest multi-million pound clubbing experience, close to the Guildhall (just across from Portsmouth & Southsea station).
  • Learn

    The University of Portsmouth [http://www.port.ac.uk/] is a modern university with a population of about 20,000 students.

    Buy

  • '''Portsmouth City Centre''' (Commercial Road & Cascades) - Usual high street names, but with Miss Selfridge, Topshop, H&M, New Look and Primark literally right next to one another, it is a shopping paradise.
  • '''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.
  • Eat

    Portsmouth has literally hundreds of restaurants catering to all tastes. Further out of the city towards Fareham, the '''marina Port Solent''' offers a variety of restaurants in a pleasant environment with a multiplex movie theatre nearby, and ample (free) on site parking.

  • '''The American Bar''', 58 White Hart Rd, Old Portsmouth, 023 9281 1585. Modern European cuisine. Also great but you can drop a lot of money in this place. Does have great service!
  • '''Bangkok''', 64 Albert Road, 023 9242 9922. A nice Thai place where you can take your own drink
  • '''Kitsch N d'Or''', 37 Eldon Street, Southsea, 023 9286 1519. French style bistro food. Great for the once a month food-and-wine nights. Details are displayed outside the venue.
  • '''Mozzarella Joes''', Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, 023 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, 023 9282 8382. Chinese Takeaway.
  • '''Nemrut''', 94 Albert Road, 023 9275 6777. Exceptional value & quality Turkish/Kurdish cuisine. The friendly owner & staff make the place one of the best places to eat out in Portsmouth. Runner Up in "The News" Best Restaurant 2006 for Portsmouth area.
  • '''No. 8 Kings Road'''. A destination restaurant with a Michelin Star Chef. Fabulous food and a whole banking vault of wine to choose from and entertainment every friday night!
  • '''Rosie's Vineyard''', 87 Elm Grove, Southsea, 023 9275 5944, [http://www.rosies-vineyard.co.uk/]. French/Modern European. Wonderful wine selection food and atmosphere.
  • '''Sur La Mer''', 69 Palmerston Road, 023 9287 6678. French.
  • '''Strada''', Gunwharf Quays, 0239 281 7278, [http://www.strada.co.uk/]. Italian.
  • '''The Tenth Hole Tea Room''', (''next to mini-golf course''), 02392 830 009. Great for light lunch but the highlight is the amazing home-made cakes.
  • Best places for ''curry'': Portsmouth offers a variety of Indian restaurants the best places are Albert road where the curry are cheap as there is a restaurant literally every couple of shop, Palmaston road, where you pay for quality so take your pick.

    Best Indian takeaway:

  • '''The Indian Ocean Takeaway''', 234 Fratton Road, 023 92824720. Probably the longest serving curry outlet in Portsmouth, established in the early 1980's by the current owner/Chef Mr Uddin. The quality of the food is of the highest quality and their curries are also priced very reasonably.
  • Drink

    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 adviced to ensure you have a fun and safe night out.

  • The Bombay Brasserrie. lbert Road. 23 9282 1661. Very Popular Curry house that offers very good value for money and that lets you bring your own drinks. Arrive early.

    Southsea

  • '''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.
  • '''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.
  • Gunwharf Quays

  • '''The Old Customs House''' is a traditional pub in a historic building, within a modern setting. Great ales and food.
  • '''Tiger Tiger''' is the ultimate place for a big night out - with 8 different bars, a club and restaurant in the same building!
  • Old Portsmouth

  • '''The Still & West''', Bath Square. A pub with a good view of harbour entrance and restaurant upstairs
  • '''The Spice Island Inn''' also has amazing views of the harbour in action and a good restaurant.
  • <!-- given that the things of historic interest are mostly in Old Portsmouth, decent pubs should be listed.-->

    Sleep

    Accommodation in Portsmouth can be browsed online via the official VisitPortsmouth website [http://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk] and the Visitor Info Centre can make bookings/check availability on your behalf: +44 2392 826722.

  • '''Bed and Breakfast at No3''', 3 Bellevue Terrace, Tel: 023 92349929. Located within walking distance of local attractions.
  • '''Florence House Hotel and Somerset House Hotel''', 2 Malvern Road, Tel: 023 9275 1666, [http://www.florencehousehotel.co.uk]. The city's only boutique accommodation. Located just back from the seafront, these upmarket hotels are in easy reach of everything.
  • '''Ibis Portsmouth Centre''', Winston Churchill Avenue, Tel: +44 (0) 23 9264 0000, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1461/fiche_hotel.shtml]. Also good, near the Portsmouth & Southsea train station.
  • '''Pembroke Park Hotel''', 1 Bellevue Terrace, Southsea, Tel: 023 9229 6817. Located only minutes from the old town and the seafront, both Portsmouth & Southsea are within easy walking distance.
  • '''Queen's Hotel''', [http://www.queenshotelportsmouth.com/], Tel: +44 (0)23 9282 2466, queenshotelports@aol.com. A must for ''Mr. Bean'' fans - this was where the episode ''Mr. Bean in Room 426'' was set. (Whatever you do, don't eat tainted oysters or lock yourself out of your room!)
  • '''Sandringham Hotel''', Tel: +44 (0)23 92876156,(email: steve@sandringhamhotelsouthsea.co.uk), [http://www.sandringhamhotelsouthsea.co.uk/]. With views over the seafront common the excellent location offers great views at cheap rates. If you're on a budget and need a clean and comfortable room, look no further.
  • '''Southsea Backpackers''', 4 Florence Rd, in Southsea, Tel: +44 (0)23 92832495, (''email: bookings@portsmouthbackpackers.co.uk''), [http://www.portsmouthbackpackers.co.uk]. Not easy to get to but is cheap and friendly.
  • '''Spitbank Fort''', [http://www.spitbankfort.co.uk]. Offers a highly unique experience as its lighthouse has been refurbished to offer accommodation. It is located in the sea halfway between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
  • Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center. 25 Water Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704. -757-673-3000. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/orfpt-renaissance-portsmouth-hotel-and-waterfront-conference-center/. Each waterfront accommodation in Portsmouth boasts views of the skyline or shipyard.

    Stay safe

    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 (i.e., around 11PM and 2AM), although with a little common sense the risk is minor.

    The main place to avoid is Somerstown, the high-rise council estate near the city centre, especially after dark.

    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 2392 826722).

    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 possibly a bad idea.

    Get out

  • '''Portchester Castle''' [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.207] - 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 original church is still in use and is popular in summer for weddings. The castle is well sign posted, and served by regular buses, Portchester Train Station is only a ten minute walk north. '''The Cormorant Pub''' on picturesque Castle Street is a nice place to have a drink in a Traditional English pub.
  • '''Portsdown Hill''' offers amazing views across Portsmouth and the South Downs. Situated just to the rear (north) of Portsmouth, it's 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.
  • 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 of course 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 just the other side of Southampton is one of the nicest rural get aways in England!
  • Southampton can provide much more varied and excellent shopping and is regarded as the "Shopping capital of the south" , Southampton also has excellent nightlife.