Portsmouth

Portsmouth is situated on an island with Southsea as the central residential area. This bustling town has a history based on the sea with its Royal Navy connections starting with Richard the Lionheart and is still the home of the Royal Navy in the present day. Portsmouth has an energetic atmosphere where the sun and sand can be enjoyed through the summer months.

Portsmouth has historical landmarks and the main attractions of the city are the museums and historic ships of the Naval Heritage Area. The city was heavily bombed during WWII and much of the current city buildings beyond The Point and The Hard are a post-war development.

The Point is one of the more pleasant spots in the town along the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth. Here atmospheric old style pubs provide perfect spots to sit and watch ferries and ships pass through the harbour.

The Cathedral of St Thomas of Canterbury is located nearby and the Round Tower originally built by Henry V can be found immediately south of Old Portsmouth. To protect the town against French invasion, Henry VIII built Southsea Castle where it is said he watched the Mary Rose sink.

Clarence Esplanade at the Southsea end of the waterfront holds a group of attractions including the Blue Reef Aquarium with a hands-on feel.
As a major departure point for Allied forces on D-Day, Portsmouth recounts the story of the Normandy landing in the D-Day Museum.

The adjoining suburb of Southsea is a lively and vibrant setting with excellent nightlife and bars. One of the main strengths of Portsmouth is the capacity to cater for all music tastes in the many bars including live music or night-clubs.
The Theatre Royal hosts a wide variety of performances from drama to jazz and features one of the most stunning auditoriums in the UK.

The harbour is active all year around with ferries and shopping area and is as famous for its retail as its naval history. Portsmouth is ideal for cycling or walking due to the flat ground and has an excellent bus network for getting around. Plentiful accommodation is available in Portsmouth and ranges from 4 star hotels to friendly guest houses.