Portsmouth
&
Southsea
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery (their photo)
Many of you arrive on our lovely Island via Portsmouth. A few of you do indeed take time to have a quick look at this fascinating city, either on the way over or back, but many don’t. Much as we can’t wait to welcome you over on ‘our side’, Portsmouth has so very much to offer.
From experience, we have learned that many of you don’t realise this until it’s too late. So – depending on how much time you have available – why not include it in your tour right from the planning stage? We can either meet you there with our executive car or minibus or in London or somewhere in-between.
You may only have half a day (see our 5-day sample tour on Sample Tours page). However – you may manage a whole one. Below, find suggestions of the most obvious places there are to visit. Then we can discuss your priorities, working out an unforgettable tailormade guided tour for you so that you don’t waste a minute of your precious time.
The Ship Anson
Short Walk from Portsmouth to Southsea
We hope that apart from the major attractions listed below, you will also have time to take a guided city walk with us – bringing the history of the city to life for you. Definitely let us show you Spice Island (an island on an island on an island). Also pass by the Garrison Church with no roof and let us explain why that is so. Or take a peep inside its beautiful Cathedral…All will be revealed and all very easily ‘walkable’ – no great distances to cover.
Historic Dockyard
The Mary Rose
Most people associate Portsmouth with the Mary Rose – world famous flagship of Henry VIII, which he watched in horror from Southsea Common as it sank during the Battle of the Solent in 1545. Raised from the seabed in 1982 – come and admire her for yourselves. Experience with us the two halves of its story, both before and after its sinking.
It is not just the sight of her – but what the Museum has done to recreate the electrifying atmosphere with the help of technology, words can barely describe what your eyes will behold. It might be fair to say that it could leave you both speechless and transfixed! I personally feel that it’s a complete ‘must see’ if that’s at all possible for you. I think you will find that the experience will remain with you for a very long time.
There is plenty more to see inside the Museum in addition to the Mary Rose itself and it could be that your attention is held for longer than you might have imagined. You can see the Mary Rose on the picture above.
Good to Go: De-Luxe Mary Rose Ship Hall Tours
If a general public visit isn’t enough for you, you might wish to indulge in something even more exclusive – namely, sign up for a ‘get up close and personal’ tour.
This will include:
A guided tour around the Ship Hall by the Conservation/Collections Team
Access to the Reserve Collection, Ship Balcony + Viewing Balcony
Expert-led tour through the Museum
Refreshments served in a private room
VIP goodies
HMS Victory
HMS Victory, flagship of the Royal Navy and flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar, surely equally springs to mind when you hear the name ‘Portsmouth’. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world.
Want to learn more about her and the Battle of Trafalgar?
Well, no other solution then but to climb aboard! Meet the sailors who will show you round and share some fascinating facts with you, both about its history and current conservation.
You will experience a free audio tour and can scan key points onboard, getting a play-by-play of the battle and Nelson’s final moments. The ship is decorated today as she would have been on the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar. At the time of the Battle, she held 104 guns.
This ‘Queen of Ships’ is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration project using groundbreaking technology and specialist skills. However, this will not affect access or mar your enjoyment. In fact, quite the reverse – from the decks you will now be able to get an incredible view of how she is being conserved.
HMS Warrior
For a flavour of the Royal Navy during the reign of Queen Victoria, you can’t but thoroughly enjoy exploring this ship, launched in 1860. She was the name ship of the Warrior-class ironclads. These were built in response to France’s launching of the first ironclad warship, the wooden-hulled ‘Gloire’ in 1859.
The lively crew of today will tell you colourful tales of life at sea. Below decks, experience the engine rooms and groundbreaking machinery which revolutionised naval warfare. The Warrior was decommissioned in 1883.
All of the above ships can either be visited individually or you can buy a group ticket, including the ones you want to see. This will give you quite a saving.
The D-Day Story
This is the only UK museum totally dedicated to telling the story of June 6th 1944 by way of exhibits, interactives and videos from the perspective of those who were there.
Landing Craft Tank 7074 –
Your visit will start with a visit to the 59 metre LCT (Landing Craft Tank), now next to the museum, which on D-Day carried 10 tanks across the English Channel. Two tanks are on currently onboard, to give you an idea of its size and how it would have looked when full. It is the only LCT still in existence.
Museum
First you will see ‘The Plan’ – how those in charge made the crucial decisions around when and where to cross the channel, demonstrating the secrecy and deception required.
Legacy and the Overlord Embroidery
Next to The Legacy Gallery features the magnificent 83-metre Overlord Embroidery, commissioned to remember those who took part in D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. This is simply breathtaking. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry which depicted the Norman Conquest in1066, this embroidery describes a journey in the opposite direction across the English Channel - from England to France, albeit with very friendly intentions this time.
Depending on your level of interest (as with the Dockyard), you could be tempted to spend a very long time in here!
Finally, you will enjoy watching some film clips of veterans talking about their personal experiences, which will give you further insight into what actually took place.
Spinnaker Tower
The Spinnaker Tower is one of Portsmouth’s most iconic landmarks and definitely its most visible. It stands proudly at 170 feet, a symbol of the city’s maritime history, a fact which is glaringly obvious because of its sail-like design. It offers stunning 23-mile panoramic views from its high-speed lifts, observation decks and a glass floor on View Deck 1, which was once the largest in Europe.
Originally conceived as part of a Millenium project, building finally started in 2001 and it opened in 2005 - way later than anticipated and with a far heftier price tag than predicted.
You can either enjoy a regular ride up or really indulge yourselves by taking afternoon tea at the top!
Southsea Castle
If you possibly have time to squeeze this in, we feel you will enjoy it. Once home to Henry VIII, it was where he looked on with dismay as his beloved flagship Mary Rose sank (see Mary Rose section).
Entry is free of charge and it is open Tuesdays to Sundays between April and October. Explore the keep and the panoramic views from the top across the Solent to the Isle of Wight – this will either whet your appetite for what lies ahead or bring back those recent fond memories!
Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
Charles Dickens was born here on February 7th 1812 and lived here until his family moves to Hawke Street. The house was built around 1808, the year before his parents John and Elizabeth moved in.
The Museum collection includes the couch on which Dickens died at Gad’s Hill Place on June 9 1870.
Generally open Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.. April to September.
Room where Charles Dickens was born, courtesy of the Museum
Courtesy of Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
Dickens event at Dimbola Museum and Galleries (below)
Want to start or continue your adventures with him before or after your Island visit? Take a look at our ‘Literary and Musical Wight’ page first.
We have 4 ‘good to go’ tours on offer:
General Portsmouth tour – full day (see below)
General Portsmouth tour - half day (see below)
De-luxe Mary Rose Ship Hull tour
Charles Dickens tour (Up to 14 stops may be included in this tour – the Birthplace Museum being one of them)
Good to Go: Full Day Portsmouth Tour
Your Full Day Portsmouth tour COULD look like this
Historic Dockyard – see as many ships as you want/can manage
Lunch at old Portsmouth’s Still and West (Spice Island) – a beautiful old pub with a spectacular view over the Solent.(or another of your choosing)
D-Day Museum
Spinnaker Tower – time permitting. Either general viewing or afternoon tea!
Check into hotel (where applicable) – The Ship Leopard perhaps?
Dinner of your choice (where applicable) - possibly Sakura, Southsea? (Japanese)
Good to Go: Half Day Portsmouth Tour
Your Half Day Portsmouth tour COULD look like this (the order can of course be reversed)
Lunch at old Portsmouth’s Still and West (Spice Island) – a beautiful old pub with a spectacular view over the Solent (or other)
Historic Dockyard OR D-Day Museum
Spinnaker Tower (either general viewing or afternoon tea)
Check into hotel (where applicable) – The Ship Leopard perhaps?
Dinner of your choice – (where applicable) possibly Sakura, Southsea? (Japanese)
Portsmouth Pubs
Portsmouth is definitely not short of them! However – one of our strong favourites is The Still & West (Spice Island) – the ‘island on an island on an island’! We also recommend The Ship Anson Pub Restaurant (shown top right), 2 minutes’ walk from The Historic Dockyard, and even less from The Ship Leopard.
Portsmouth Hotels
Plenty of choice – one of our firm favourites is The Ship Leopard Boutique Hotel –ultra convenient, a mere few steps away from the Historic Dockyard and definitely has that ‘certain something’. However, do speak to us about recommendations for others.
Before You Cross — or Before You Leave
Many visitors pass through Portsmouth without realising how much it has to offer. With thoughtful planning, it can become a graceful prelude to your Island stay — or a fitting final chapter before you return home. Even a few well-chosen hours here can add unexpected depth, shaped entirely around your interests and the time you have.