Portsmouth Things to Do

4 more images

Gunwharf Quays consists of almost 100 outlet stores, 30 bars & restaurants, a health & fitness centre, 14 screen cinema, a 26 lane Bowling alley, a comedy club, night club, casino and a hotel (Holiday Inn Express).

There are clothing to suit every style and budget. About half of the stores are devoted to women’s fashion, including designer handbags, shoes, cocktail dresses and jeans. Some of the outlets include Polo Ralph Lauren, Gant, White Company, L.K. Bennett, Timbaland, Guess, Clarks, Karen Millen, Nike, Adidas, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker, Lacoste, Hugo Boss (for men) and Fred Perry.

The outlet shopping complex is landscaped in a formerly navy owned property and there are several remnants of its past (there is for example an old crane on the canal side, which has been build in the middle just to make it look like there is a canal).

Join the Gunwharf Quays Priviledge Club online for free and you’ll be informed about special offers and be invited to exclusive events and special Privilege Club shopping evenings, with great deals in the shops and restaurants.

Bars, restaurants & leisure facilities are all open 7 days & nights a week.

General opening hours
Monday-Friday 10am to 7pm
Saturday 9am to 7pm
Sunday* 10am to 5pm
*Due to Sunday trading law, larger stores are unable to open until 11am on Sundays.

Some stores and restaurants have opening times that differ from the centre's opening times.

2 more images

This was Lord Nelson's flagship at the historic Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The two hundredth anniversary was observed here just recently. During this great naval battle, Nelson defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets. By so doing, he saved his country from invasion by Napoleon's army. From that day on, Napoleon concentrated all his efforts on the Continent.

The Victory is a fine example of a ship-of-the-line, the type that served as the mainstay of European navies of her era. Launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard, she carried a crew of over 800, and was armed with about 100 cannon. Fleets with ships of the line would form battle lines, and fire at each other from a few hundred yards apart.

Lord Nelson innovated on this basic tactic. Rather than simply fire away at the enemy, he turned his battle line toward the enemy line and slammed his ships right through it. By breaking up the enemy's line, he was able to defeat the enemy fleet, one ship at a time.

No photos are allowed aboard the HMS Victory. The tours guides are very knowledgable, and point out the very spot where Nelson fell on the ship's top deck. He was felled by a French sharpshooter. They took him below decks, where he died a few hours later---knowing that he'd just saved Britain.

2 more images

The battleship HMS Warrior was launched in 1860. At that time, she was the mightiest, fastest, best-armored warship in the world. She had a main armament of 26 muzzle-loading 68 pounders, a crew of 705, and weight of 9,210 tons, Because the Royal Navy enjoyed unchallenged dominion of the seas, she never saw combat.

After only ten years of active service, the Warrior was relegated to the Reserve Fleet. She then spent many years as a hulk, just sitting around. She is the only survivor of all the battleships of that period. Anyone with an interest in maritime history should tour this historic ship.

Portsmouth celebrates Christmas with a distinctly Victorian feel. Thanks to Charles Dickens' being born in nearby Landport, every December in the historic dockyard there is an enchanting Christmas market in the style of his well known books.

4 more images

I lived almost a year next to the Historic Dockyard without ever setting my foot into the various museum boats and museums located in this area, including the wreck of the famous Mary Rose ship which apparently was the favourite ship of Henry VIII. The new Mary Rose museum is being built at the moment. It should be finished and opening in early 2013 and it will house the whatever is left of this famous 16th century ship (i.e. the hull). The wreck will be visible in its final phase of conservation. It is being kept moisturised with a spray consisting of wax and water virtually 24/7. The sprays are only turned off for maintenance and inspection of the ship remains. I can't wait to see the new museum when it opens. Currently you can visit the 'old' museum building that houses interesting exhibition about Mary Rose with very informative videos and other interesting facts until 4 November 2012. However, the hull is currently not open to view.

One of the other historical ships on the dockyard includes HMS Warrior, the first ever warship which was iron-hulled, armoured and powered by both steam and sail. It is constructed of wrought iron. When Warrior was originally built, she was bigger, faster and more heavily armed than any other warship. However, sadly within a decade she became obsolete as the technology on-board was surpassed. HMS Warrior is the only surviving member of Queen Victoria's Black Battle Fleet. It was used as an oil jetty at Milford Haven for 50 years before being restored to her former glory. The former dock workers in Hartlepool made a fab job since the ship is absolutely great. The four decks of this awesome ship show you a glimpse what the life of the Victorian sailor in a 19th century warship was probably like.

HMS Victory, the third historical war ship on site is currently going through a 10 year restoration. This ship was Admiral Nelson's ship, and she famously fought in the Battle of Trafalgar. Because of the current restoration, visitors have the rare opportunity to see how the great sailing warships of the 18th century were built and maintained at battle readiness. So far at least the ship’s three masts have been dismantled. Next up are the bowsprit and rigging. Curiously, last time HMS Victory was seen without her top masts was in 1944.

Highly recommended although the admission is slightly expensive (22.95 GBP online, 25.50 at the gate in 2012)

Opening times:
April - October
Last tickets are sold at 4.30pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 6.00pm.

November - March
Last tickets are sold at 4.00pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 5.30pm.

4 more images

The area surrounding the 'Point' in Old Portsmouth is known as 'Spice Island' as it was the main port for the importation of spices from the Caribbean in the 18th century. Apparently, the area has changed very little since the time when spices were being imported there. Terraces that are typical of the architecture from the 18th century line the streets.

There are some pubs where you can refresh yourself after an exhausting walk. At the same time you can get a pretty good view of the modern development of the Portsmouth Harbour, Gunwharf Quays and Spinnaker Tower from the Point.

Due to the history of the area, one of the pubs in the Point is called the Spice Island Inn. Another pub next to it (Fuellers pub called 'Still and West') has fab views towards the narrow 'mouth' of the harbour. They also serve traditional fish and chips wrapped in paper if you fancy eating something traditional and greasy. They serve food from 12noon onwards.

An interesting fact about this place is that they were once hauling a really tall warship through the 'mouth' and it almost hit the 'Point'. There is a picture inside the Fueller's pub. I first thought it wasn't real, but it is.

4 more images

firstly the Spinnaker Tower is a must,but don't forget theDockyard where you can see
HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The Mary Rose not to mention the various Warships in the Harbour.
We only scratched the surface,but there are so many places to go and see from Portsmouth,it has transport Links to The Isle Of Wight,France, Spain.
With its array of ferries Fast Cats] or Hover Craft which will take you 10minutes to get from Southsea to The Isle of Wight.
There is a ferry that crosses regularly from Portsmouth to Gosport all for £1.80p.
There is a fun fair on Southsea, a Submarine museum at Haslar (Gosport)
It certainly is the hub to other places.
Gunwharf is where the Spinnaker Tower is situated 5mins from the Train station or Bus

4 more images

Firstly the Spinnaker Tower is a must,but don't forget the Dockyard where you can see
HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The Mary Rose not to mention the various battleships in the Harbour including HMS Victory.
We only scratched the surface,but there are so many places to go and see from Portsmouth,it has transport Links to The Isle Of Wight,France, Spain.
With its array of ferries Fast Cats or Hover Craft which will take you 10minutes to get from Southsea to The Isle of Wight.
There is a ferry that crosses regularly from Portsmouth to Gosport all for 1.80p.
There is a fun fair on Southsea, a Submarine museum at Haslar (Gosport)
It certainly is the hub to other places.
Gunwharf quays is where the Spinnaker Tower is situated 5mins from the Train Station or Bus depot.