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City in Hampshire, England
Photo: Lewis Hulbert, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth (pronounced "ports-muth" and nicknamed "Pompey") is a large city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England. Portsmouth played 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 557 ft 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.
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A major naval heritage site within an active Royal Navy base, featuring historic warships including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. It also includes the National Museum of the Royal Navy and other museums, exhibitions and interactive attractions. Allow at least half a day to a full day depending on interest.
The Mary Rose Museum houses the remains of Henry VIII’s flagship, which sank in 1545 and was raised in 1982 after more than 400 years underwater. The museum is built around the preserved hull, displayed in a climate-controlled environment alongside thousands of Tudor artefacts recovered from the wreck. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
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.
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. Has a small temporary exhibit with a permanent exhibit in the keep.
4 mi of seafront promenade backed by gorgeous green spaces and gardens.
A 1/12 scale village
Inside the 19th-century Lumps Fort.
A beautiful clock tower over a barbers.
The Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
A Romanesque Anglican cathedral in the old town. Contains a piece of Lord Nelson's flag and the tomb of a unknown member of the crew of the Mary Rose.
A Catholic cathedral in the city centre.
Domus Dei (Hospital of Saint Nicholas and Saint John the Baptist)
A partly roofless English Heritage property. Only occasionally open to the public.
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.
Pair of compound beam engines built in 1887 to pump sewage.
formerly D-Day Museum
Tells the story of Operation Overlord during the Normandy D-Day landings including the Overlord Embroidery. Has an original LCT (landing craft tank) used at D-Day that has been restored and accessed by visitors.
Take an undersea safari at the aquarium on the seafront.
The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in this modest house in 1812.
A fairly limited collection.
The Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes exhibition "A Study in Sherlock" is temporarily closed.
About 5 mi 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.
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.
Sits just on Portsdown Hill and is free of charge to visit.
Relax on the common with a picnic or barbecue.
A small fairground close to the Hoverport with rides and amusement arcades.
Listen to live music here every Sunday in the summer.
"Pompey" play soccer in the Championship, the second tier. The women's team were relegated in 2026 and play down in the amateur tiers.
This annual music festival has been running since 2012 with big name acts such as Ray Davies headlining and up to 80,000 people attending.
Great for light lunch but the highlight is the amazing home-made cakes.
Old Portsmouth. Modern European cuisine. Also great but you can drop a lot of money in this place, which has great service!
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.
British fare
British-inspired cuisine
Green King
Friendly rock and alternative, sometimes metal bar.
Green King
Small pub with a traditional feel and real ales.
A pub with pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere, and always a rocking soundtrack.
Good cask ales and great atmosphere, arrive early if you want a seat.
Meat majors on burgers, wings and ribs.
Interesting range of summery beer. Food includes: Bavett of beef, mussels.
Wetherspoons.
Irish pub doing breakfast and occasional music.
Green King overlooking the HMS Warrior.
A traditional pub in a historic building, within a modern setting. Great ales and food.
In the ‘Devil’s Acre’ severing a carvery every day overlooking the HMS Warrior
A plush pub with a roof terrace.
Claims to be Portsmouth's oldest pub.
Also has amazing views of the harbour in action and a good restaurant.
A pub with a good view of harbour entrance and restaurant upstairs.
The oldest pub in Portsmouth, established in 1710.
Within walking distance of local attractions.
The city's only boutique accommodation just back from the seafront, these upmarket hotels are in easy reach of everything.
Also good, near the Portsmouth & Southsea train station.
Minutes from the old town and the seafront. Portsmouth and Southsea are within easy walking distance.
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!)
The lighthouse has been refurbished and has accommodation.
The Portsmouth hotel is within easy reach of the Continental ferry port and the Isle of Wight ferry. Conveniently located very close to the centre of this historic naval city, with the thriving shopping and leisure centre and Gunwharf Quays all nearby.
The Portsmouth Hilsea hotel is a great base for fitness fanatics with Hillsea Lido, the rugby club and fitness centres within jogging distance. There's also a great running track along the water.
Usual high street names, but has Miss Selfridge, Topshop, H&M, New Look and Primark next to one another.
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.
A variety of small specialist shops, boutiques, art shops, delis, home furnishings. Also Knight & Lee.
A good bet for smaller (independent) shops, second-hand goods and antiques.
By car
Portsmouth is easily accessible by car via the M275 the M27 and A27. From London, take the A3 or M3 south.
By bus
Local bus routes stretch as far afield as Havant and Southampton. Day passes can be bought for £3.70 which allows unlimited travel in the Portsmouth City area or £4.80 for the whole of Hampshire.
By boat
Since Portsmouth is the 'Waterfront City', there are numerous options for arriving by boat from near and far.
By plane
The nearest airport is Southampton Airport (SOU), around 20 mi (32 km) from Portsmouth in Eastleigh. Over 47 European and domestic destinations are served from here.
Several bus companies operate within Portsmouth and the surrounding areas: First Bus Solent and Stagecoach South
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Southampton · Regional · SOU
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