Portsmouth Accommodation

Portsmouth's mix of historic and modern attractions
Tourist Information Centres are located at Southsea and the Dockyard
HMS Warrior moored up at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard
Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is in Portsmouth
Portsmouth's Historic Waterfront defences and cathedral
Submarines and battleships at the Royal Navy Dockyard in Portsmouth
Spinnaker Tower gives panoramic views of Portsmouth and the Hampshire Coast
There is a whole host of ferry options from Portsmouth to Isle of Wight and Europe

Portsmouth Tourist Guide Attractions in Portsmouth England

Portsmouth is both a city full of shopping and entertainment options as well as a city with a maritime history rich in visitor attractions. Most of the tourist attractions are found along the waterfront where fortified defences and the historic naval dockyard provide a wealth of places to visit to find out how the invasions through the centuries were defended.

The town was also the birthplace for one of the world's most influential authors, Charles Dickens whose family worked for the Navy. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the celebrated Sherlock Holmes, also made his home here and you can find out more about their lives in the city's museums. Portsmouth is also the centre for the Royal Navy and a working port with a huge choice of ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, France and Spain.

Featured Hampshire Accommodation

Marriott Hotel Portsmouth - Portsmouth

Luxury Portsmouth hotel in a convenient location for local sights and business. Selection of en-suite rooms & suites with enhanced facilities.

From £58 Per room, per night

Portsmouth Tourist Information

Portsmouth is a large city with several different identities. The older parts are the Historic Waterfront where you can still find the sea defences that have protected Portsmouth for centuries. Southsea makes up the south of the city and is the focus for family seaside holidays and fun fairs. For more historical attractions there's the Royal Naval Dockyard which although still in operation also has the Historic Dockyard Attractions on the premises. Between the Historic Dockyard and Waterfront is Portsmouth's most modern addition, Gunwharf Quays and the iconic Spinnaker Tower. This is the place for shopping, eating and drinking and of course climbing up the tower for unprecedented views of the city and beyond.

Portsmouth has two Tourist Information Centres; one just outside the Historic Dockyard and one on Clarence Esplanade in Southsea, next to Blue Reef Aquarium. Contact tel: 023 9282 6722 or email vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for information.

Portsmouth Visitor Information Centre, The Hard, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Open daily 9.30am-5.15pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Southsea Visitor Information Centre, Clarence Esplanade. Open daily March-October 9.30am-5.15pm. November-February, Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Portsmouth Historic Waterfront Dockyard Portsmouth Cathedral

Portsmouth has been shaped by its association with the sea and you'll find most of the visitor attractions along the waterfront at one point or another. The city is a real mix of old and new with the old fortified defences around the historic waterfront to the Royal Naval battleships and aircraft carriers at the Historic Dockyard still in use today.

You can walk along the waterfront from Gunwharf Quays all the way down to Clarence Pier. Along the way you'll find a good choice of cafes and pubs to whet your whistle. Some of the pubs have been going for as long as some of the historic sights!

Portsmouth Museums Naval Military History Arthur Conan Doyle Charles Dickens

Portsmouth has had an interesting and varied history, much of it strongly linked with sea and consequently battles to defend the country. Portsmouth is consequently well served with a whole host of museums from literary geniuses Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to military history such as the Normandy invasions on D-Day at the D-Day Museum or naval history at the Historic Dockyard.

There are museums dotted all over Portsmouth based in historic buildings such as Southsea Castle - one of Henry VIII's fortifications along the English coast, or purpose-built venues. You'll be able to find subject matter whatever your interest from natural history to the military that has influenced Portsmouth for centuries.

Portsmouth Shopping Guide Spinnaker Tower Gunwharf Quays

As you'd expect from a large city, Portsmouth has lots of shopping options from designer outlets to independent boutique shopping.

Gunwharf Quays is the bit entertainment and shopping venue easily accessible from the motorway. There are also several attractions here including the striking Spinnaker Tower that you can climb for fantastic panoramic views or boat trips from the quay. For more traditional, independent shopping try the centre of Southsea that has retained its Victorian feel with a host of shopping and entertainment venues.

Ferries from Portsmouth Ferries Isle of Wight Channel Islands France Spain

Portsmouth offers a wide choice of ferry crossings from its port to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, France and Spain. There is a choice of Fastcat and car passenger ferry options with a range of services so you're bound to find something to suit your travel requirements.

Whilst on board there are usually duty free shopping, cafes, restaurants and refreshment facilities as well as lounges and cabins so you can get some rest during the journey. The ferry terminals are all well signposted from the motorway as you're coming into Portsmouth.