Attractions
There’s so much to do in Portsmouth it’s worth arriving early for your ferry to make the most of all that’s on offer.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
including Admiral Nelson’s HMS Victory, the magnificent HMS Warrior (cutting-edge Victorian technology), the Mary Rose Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Take a harbour tour to see some of Britain’s current fleet of warships, including frigates and destroyers. Children will love the interactive displays, simulators and climbing wall at Action Stations.
Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum
www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk
The brilliant writer was born in 1812 in this modest house while his father worked in Portsmouth for the Navy Pay Office. The Regency style of household objects and decorations has been recreated to show how the family would have lived, and there is a small collection of Dickens memorabilia, including the couch on which he died at his house in Kent, together with his snuffbox, inkwell and paper knife.
Spinnaker Tower
Soaring high above glittering Portsmouth harbour, this 21st century icon has already had two million visitors. At 170 metres tall, it provides breathtaking 350º vistas of the South coast, the Solent and the Isle of Wight after a fast lift ride to the top. Views stretch up to 23 miles away and the Tower boasts Europe’s largest glass floor, enabling intrepid visitors of all ages to virtually ‘walk on air’!
Gunwharf Quays
Britain’s first world-class shopping and leisure waterfront, with nearly 100 designer outlets, 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, a health & fitness centre, the 14-screen Vue cinema and Bowlplex bowling. Laugh at Highlights comedy club, call in at the Aspex contemporary art gallery or dance the night away at Tiger Tiger. A vibrant atmosphere in an unforgettable setting.
Blue Reef Aquarium
Enjoy close encounters with seahorses, tropical sharks, otters, a giant octopus and hundreds of incredible aquatic creatures. Billed as the ‘ultimate undersea safari,’ Blue Reef takes visitors on a journey through more than 40 habitats from the bustling Solent to exotic tropical seas and a beautiful coral reef. There are talks and feeding displays throughout the day.
D-Day Museum
Tells the story of Operation Overlord. The centrepiece is the Overlord Embroidery depicting the efforts and sacrifices of the Allies in defeating Nazi Germany in 34 scenes. Visitors can also experience sights and sounds of Britain at war and a dawn-to-dusk reconstruction of the Allied landings by sea and air on D-Day itself on 6 June 1944 – World War II's 'longest day'.
And don’t forget Southsea beach, the pier, the boating lake, the adventure playground and Southsea Common – summer or winter, there’s plenty of outdoor fun.
Visit Portsmouth’s official visitor website for more ideas: www.visitportsmouth.co.uk
New Terminal
Visit our dazzling new passenger terminal, relaxing areas and outdoor viewing terrace. Food and drink from Costa, Worldmarché and the bar. > More information
