***** Introduction ******

The gunwarf quays is one of Popmys prime locatons, it is located in Portsmouth Hampshire, it is situated the at the former royal navy shore establishment HMS Vernon and renamed HMS Nelson (Vernon Site) on march 31 19 86 In 1987 the establishment was renamed HMS Nelson (Gunwharf) although locally it continued to be known as HMS Vernon.

The Berkeley Group plc was responsible for the development of the Gunwharf Quays, which is now owned by Land Securities. The area has also become an extremely affluent residential area of Portsmouth, and houses many luxurious apartment buildings.

****** The Gunwarf *****

The old HMS nelson site is now home to the gunwarf quays, a large designer outlet shopping centre, these designer outlets opened in February 2001, the centre itself holds over contains 90 designer shopping outlets as well as 25 bars and restaurants and nightclubs.

Gunwarf quays also have a 14-screen cinema, a bowling alley, a comedy club, a contemporary art gallery, and a 120 bed hotel. So it is the in place to be day or night.

The newest edition to the quay is the long awaited spinnaker Tower a 170 metre tall visitor attraction overlooking historical Portsmouth harbour and the Solent. It has a glass external elevator it ferry people to the top, where there are three floors to take in the inspiring views of the Isle of Wight.

Currently under construction is a 26 storey Skyscraper under the title Eastside Plaza, built to resemble a funnel (know to locals as the lipstick). This makes a seafaring composition with the existing sail-like look of the spinnaker tower. There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants located by the waterfront with a view of shipping movements of the P & O ferries in the Portsmouth Harbour.

***** Shopping *****

The shopping complex itself is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 10.00am - 7.00pm, Saturdays 9.00am - 7.00pm and Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm. On a Sunday the larger stores do not open until 11.00am. The bars, restaurants and leisure facilities are open 7 days and nights a week.

This is a great place to enjoy a totally new shopping experience and wander through wide-open spaces, along pedestrian avenues, while taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

There are more than 90 designer outlet stores with an incredible range of the latest fashions and leisurewear, household goods, toys, books, music and more, with savings up to 70% on high street prices.

The current retailers are adidas, animal, bench and hooch, Calvin Klein, Fred Perry, Burberry, Karen Millan, Next, Mambo, O'Neil, Timberland, Paul Smith, Warehouse, Guess, Oakley Ted Baker, Puma, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Monsoon, Reef, Gap, Tula, Oasis, Vans, HMV, Molten Brown and many more.

If have personally found that February and September are the best times to visit, as the store seem to have better sales on during these periods. The last time I went was February and I got a Guess bag for 12.50, what a bargain when it should have been 160.00.

So if you are in to your designer gear, save your pennies and visit the gunwarf. You could even make a weekend out of it as there is a 120 bad hotel situated within the complex, it is very reasonably priced as well.

***** Eating Out *****

There are around 25 different bars and restaurants situated within and around the complex, all of which have amazing views of the harbour, in which you see boats and ferries docking and sailing away.

The bars and restaurants can cater for you every need, they range from quick snacks to full sit down meals. So dependent on your mood there is something for everyone at affordable prices.

Dine on the freshest seafood, the unique taste of modern British cuisine or sample the delights of many other flavours from around the world. All with the backdrop of a lively waterfront promenade set upon a bustling historic harbour.

***** Eating Out *****

The gunwarf quays it also home to many amazing bars and night club, giving the place an all round buzz at night.

I would highly recommend you take ID if you don't look at least 25 as they are very strict on who they let in, this only applies at night during the day these bars are open to families.

***** Marina *****

If you are fortunate enough to own a Super Yacht or even Tall Ship, this marina can accommodate you at a price (costly I am sure). Gunwharf marina has 24-hour access and plenty of depth.

The berths can take vessels up to 78m in length, and are currently among the most sought after berths on the south coast. Booking is required prior to birthing.

***** Car Parking *****

The wholes gunwarf quay complex is situated above a massive underground car park, so you are able to park in the thick of it. A charge for car parking needs to be made.

***** What Else Is In Walking Distance *****

Within walk distance of the gunwarf is, Isle of Wight ferries terminal, Portsmouth city centre, Portsmouth FC football club, The University, South Sea, Clarence pier fun fair, Sea life centre, South Sea shopping, and the millennium trail which walks you along the Portsmouth harbour, through Clarence pier and south sea.

****** Trips From The Gunwarf ******

There are many boat trips that run from the gunwarf quays, harbour tour around Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and my favourite spitbank forte.

Spitbank forte is one of three fortes situated within the harbour, it runs day trips to the forte to visit and look around at the forte and the wildlife within it. In the evenings spitbank is open to the public for a hog roast, this cost roughly 15.00 per person but the trip consists of water taxi to and from the forte and a hog roast meal, the trip last roughly 3 hours.

In the summer season spitbank also holds a party on Saturday evenings, once every four weeks where sort after DJs go over and host the party, giving you a night of great music and dancing.

Tickets are needed for these events and include transport to and from the forte, unless you leave the forte after midnight because the last water taxi is at 11.50pm. If you do decide to stay after midnight you can get a water taxi home at your own cost, usually 6.00 one way.

***** Conculsion ******

So this is a summary of the quays, I went to visit my grandparents in-law for the first time, with the view of why the hell have I taken three days off work to go there. But wow I was amazed I really enjoyed myself without expecting it. There was so much to do although I did spend a fortune in the shops, bars and clubs it is a break away that will stay with me forever.

I loved it so much me and my husband go and visit the grandparents four times a year, just to go to the Gunwarf to restock our wardrobes and have a great binge and drink and food.

I do feel guilty that we visit so we can go to the quays, but I don't have the heart to tell the grandparents I just let then assume we love to visit them.

Hopefully when my lottery numbers will come up I can buy a super yacht and moor up for a few days, you never know I may even win enough to buy a new pent house apartment in the lipstick they a currently constructing. You never know fingers crossed or I can just keep dreaming.