I have lived on the South Coast of England all my life and have to admit that I take it for granted and sometimes find it hard to comprehend why people would want to flock to Portsmouth & Southsea every time we get the slightest bit of sun. I don't live in Portsmouth but have to admit that ... Read review
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Advantages: Loads to do, good public transport service, great choice of shops Disadvantages: Parts of the City are a bit run down
...would want to flock to Portsmouth & Southsea every time we get the slightest bit of sun. I don't live in Portsmouth but have to admit that if the weather is good my family and I tend to go to Southsea for the afternoon ourselves - even though we live in a small seaside resort ourselves.
So what attracts so many people to the City of Portsmouth? It isn't the most glamorous City in England - however there is loads to see and do and ... ...the fact that visitors to Portsmouth can combine a trip to the shops with an afternoon at the beach helps to ensure that Portsmouth remains popular with both day visitors and holiday makers alike.
The City of Portsmouth is typical of many British cities - busy, dirty, run down in places and vamped up in others. The seaside resort of Southsea however is quite the opposite, it boasts a four mile stretch of beach and gardens and is extremely ... more
I have lived on the South Coast of England all my life and have to admit that I take it for granted and sometimes find it hard to comprehend why people would want to flock to Portsmouth & Southsea every time we get the slightest bit of sun. I don't live in Portsmouth but have to admit that if the weather is good my family and I tend to go to Southsea for the afternoon ourselves - even though we live in a small seaside resort ourselves.
So what attracts so many people to the City of Portsmouth? It isn't the most glamorous City in England - however there is loads to see and do and as well as boasting a booming City Centre area Portsmouth is also well known for its' seaside resort Southsea, so I guess the fact that visitors to Portsmouth can combine a trip to the shops with an afternoon at the beach helps to ensure that Portsmouth remains popular with both day visitors and holiday makers alike.
The City of Portsmouth is typical of many British cities - busy, dirty, run down in places and vamped up in others. The seaside resort of Southsea however is quite the opposite, it boasts a four mile stretch of beach and gardens and is extremely popular with both locals and tourists during the Summer months.
So apart from the best football team on the South Coast what does the City of Portsmouth have to offer visitors?
**SHOPPING**
Portsmouth City Centre is where you will find the Cascades Shopping Centre. The Cascades is a purpose build undercover shopping centre which is home to many popular High Street Shops, including H & M, Early Learning Centre, Woolworth's, Etam, Marks & Spencer, Goldsmiths, The Works and The Body Shop to name a few.
The Cascades is set on two levels - the top level consists of shops and the lower level is home to a wide variety of take away food outlets, including fish and chips, chinese, sandwiches etc.
Portsmouth also has a good selection of shops based outside the Cascades Shopping Centre including Alders, Burton's, New Look, HMV, W H Smiths and most recently a large Wilkinsons store has opened.
If you don't want the hustle and bustle of a busy town centre you may prefer to visit Southsea. Southsea only has a relatively small shopping area but it is home to the very popular John Lewis & Debenhams Department Stores. You can also find Woolworth's, W H Smiths and a couple of other popular High Street Stores in Southsea - if you are shopping for something specific I would advise you to visit Portsmouth City Centre because there is a much wider choice of shops - however, if you just want to take a leisurely browse around the shops then Southsea is probably more than adequate for your needs.
A more recent and very popular addition to Portsmouth is the classy Gunwharf Quays Designer Shopping Outlet. Gunwharf Quays is located at The Hard in Old Portsmouth, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. Gunwharf Quays is a purpose build Designer Shopping complex which is home to over 65 Designer Outlets, including Adidas, Nike, Oakley, Ben Sherman, Thorntons, The Perfume Shop, Clinton Cards, Prices Candles, Toyzone, Ted Baker, Monsoon, Marks & Spencer Outlet, French Connection and many, many others.
In addition to the shops Gunwharf Quays is also home to an 11 screen Warner Village Cinema Comples, a 26 lane Bowlplex 10 Pin Bowling Alley and 20 restaurants and bars, including Jongleurs Comedy Club and Ken Homs Yellow River Restaurant. As well as fancy restaurants, for those who are just looking for a light snack or a budget meal, there is a Burger King Restaurant and several cafes selling snacks
Gunwharf Quays is open 7 days a week and I believe it only closes on Christmas Day.
Retail opening hours are from 10am - 6pm Monday - Wednesday, 10am - 8pm Thursday - Saturday and 11am - 5pm on Sunday.
Gunwharf Quays has it's own very large underground car park, however, beware that parking at Gunwharf Quays is not cheap - I think it is approximately £1 per hour, however after 6pm there is a fixed charge of £2. If you are visiting the Cinema you can get your car park ticket validated by the Cinema staff - this enables you to park for £1 for as long as you like.
Gunwharf Quays often has events taking place throughout the year including regular French Markets, children's workshops during half term and end of term holidays, a superb firework display in November and for the last two Christmas's Gunwharf Quays has accommodated an artificial ice rink in the main square which has proven to be very popular.
**MUSEUMS**
Portsmouth is home to several museums - I have detailed below the most popular three.
*~*CITY MUSEUM & RECORDS OFFICE*~*
Located in Museum Road, near Old Portsmouth, the City Museum tells the story of Portsmouth and is home to displays of local history, furniture, decorative art and contemporary craft. As well as the permanent exhibition the Museum regularly accommodates temporary exhibitions. From February 17th 2003 - April 27th 2003 the Museum will have a "Hand-written" exhibition - exhibiting Calligraphy by members of the society of Scribes and Illuminators.
The Museum is open daily except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day and admission is free.
For Further information about current exhibitions or opening hours you can telephone the Museum on 023 92827261
~*~CUMBERLAND HOUSE MUSEUM*~*
The Cumberland House Museum is located at Eastern Parade in Southsea.
The Cumberland Museum is a Natural History Museum and two of it's most popular attractions are the Freshwater Aquarium and the Butterfly House. Butterflies fly around your head inside the Butterfly House and dotted around the Butterfly House you will find lots of information detailing the various species of butterfly.
The Cumberland Museum is open from 10am - 5.30pm during April - October and 10am - 4pm during November - March.
Admission Charges for the Museum are as follows:-
From April - September (Butterfly Season)
Adult £2.00 Senior Citizen £1.60 Child/Student £1.40 Under 13's Free
From October - March
Adult £1.50 Senior Citizen £1.10 Child/Student £0.90 Under 13's Free
A family ticket is also available at a reduced rate and this is valid for parties of 2 adults and 2 children.
For further information telephone 023 92827261.
*~*SOUTHSEA CASTLE & MUSEUM*~*
Situated on Southsea Seafront, Southsea Castle was built by Henry VIII between 1844 & 1845 to protect Portsmouth against a possible French invasion.
The Castle is open to the public and admission costs £2.50 for Adults and £1.30 for Children - for each paying adult 2 children under 13 are admitted free.
For further information telephone 023 92827261.
*~*CHARLES DICKENS BIRTHPLACE*~*
Located at 393 Old Commercial Road you can visit the modest house that Charles Dickens was born in on February 7th 1812.
Admission prices are £2.50 for Adults and £1.30 for Children.
For further information telephone 023 92827261.
~*~D-DAY MUSEUM*~*
Located at Clarence Esplanade on Southsea Seafront - not far from Southsea Castle you will find the D-Day Museum.
The main feature of the Museum is an overlord embroidery telling the story of the Allied Invasion of Normandy in 1944.
Admission to the Museum costs £5.00 per Adult and £2.50 per Child.
For further information telephone 023 92827261
~*~ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM~*~
Located at Eastney Barracks the Royal Marines Museum tells the story of the Royal Marines from the Regiments Foundation in 1665 - the present day.
The Museum is open 7 days per week except for a few days over Christmas.
Admission is £4.00 for Adults - reduced rates are available to the Armed Services.
For further information telephone 023 92819385.
**OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST**
*~*BLUE REEF AQUARIUM*~*
Formerly the Sealife Centre the Blue Reef Aquarium opened approximately a year ago. It is located at Clarence Esplanade on Southsea Seafront and is open daily except for Christmas Day.
The aquarium is full of brightly coloured tropical fish and other underwater creatures and is a truly enchanting place. There are huge pools that you can look into and watch the large Stingray swim about it - very relaxing and fascinating.
Another popular feature within the aquarium is the clear tunnel that you walk through - all around you and above you there are brightly coloured fish.
Admission to the Blue Reef Aquarium costs £5.95 for Adults and £3.95 for Children.
For further information you can telephone the Aquarium on 023 92875222.
~*~HISTORIC DOCKYARD*~*
The Historic Dockyard is probably the most popular and the most famous attraction associated with Portsmouth.
Located in Old Portsmouth the Dockyard is home to HMS Victory, The Mary Rose Exhibition, HMS Warrior and the most recent attraction Action Stations which is a hands on navy based attraction which offers visitors the opportunity to experience life in the Navy.
Visitors to the Historic Dockyard can walk all around Lord Nelsons famous ship HMS Victory and the equally famous HMS Warrior. My son and I visited the Dockyard towards the end of last year and had a fantastic day out. I hadn't been there since I was at school and found it much more interesting this time round - my 9 year old son loved it, especially being able to see the remains of The Mary Rose which are being preserved in a special preservation area.
Admission to the Historic Dockyard costs £13.75 for Adults and £11 for Children aged 5-16 and Senior Citizens. A Family Ticket is available for £44 and admits 2 Adults and up to 3 Children.
Individual attraction tickets are not available, however, the tickets do not have an expiry date and therefore you can chose to return at a later date if you do not manage to get all the way round on your first visit.
Each Christmas the Historic Dockyard takes you back to Victorian times with a Festival of Christmas - many actors are dressed as famous historical characters and the dockyard is transformed into a Victorian Shopping extravaganza - there are craft stalls, a French Market trade stands and lots of things for both adults and children to see and do. Admission is the same as usual admission into the dockyard and includes access to all the boats and the attractions within the Dockyard. My son and I went last year and I would highly recommend that you combine your visit to the Dockyard with this excellent event to gain even better value for money.
*~*PIRATE PETES*~*
Pirate Petes is located at Clarence Pier and is an indoor play area with lots to play on.
*~*CLARENCE PIER FUN FAIR*~*
Located at Clarence Pier on Southsea Seafront is the famous Clarence Pier Fun Fair. It is a reasonable size and is always very popular with visitors during the high season.
The fair is nowhere near as big as Blackpool but it does have several popular rides including The Power Tower, Dodgem Cars, Mousetrap Roller coaster, Waltzes and Log Flume. Also based at the Fun Fair is a themed crazy golf course, bingo and several large amusement arcades.
At the end of the fun fair there is a large Brewsters pub called The Clarence. The Clarence serves food throughout the day and has a good indoor children's play area. Linked to The Clarence there is a Travel Inn/Travel Lodge and this is always very popular with tourists.
~*~ PORTSMOUTH GREYHOUND STADIUM*~*
Portsmouth has it's own Greyhound Stadium and this is located in Target Road, Portsmouth.
Racing takes place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening and admission costs £3.50 - children are admitted free.
The Greyhound Stadium is quite run down, however, it is a great night out and children will love it.
The stadium has a fast food area, 3 bars, a couple of snack bars and a restaurant.
For further information you can telephone the Stadium on 023 92698000.
*~*THE PYRAMIDS*~*
The Pyramids is located on Southsea Seafront and is an all singing all dancing heated indoor swimming pool complex. Within the complex there are 2/3 pools, water slides and a wave machine etc.
*~*HARBOUR TOURS*~*
During the High Season small boat operators run tours around the Harbour. These trips run from either The Hard at Old Portsmouth or from Southsea Seafront.
*~*GATEWAY TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT*~*
If you've had enough of Portsmouth and fancy a change you can catch the Hovercraft over to Ryde on the Isle of Wight from Southsea. The trip takes 10 minutes and costs around £9 for an adult day return.
Alternatively you can opt to catch the Wightlink Car Ferry from Gunwharf, Portsmouth to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight, (approximately a 50 minute trip) or the Fast Cat Catamaran Service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde, (a 10-15 minute trip).
*~*THE BEACH & GARDENS*~*
Southsea is home to not only 4 miles of beach but also to several themed gardens including the Rock Garden and the Rose Garden - both of which are well worth a look. Admission to the Gardens is free.
The beach at Southsea is mostly made up with Shingle but with four miles of beach there is always plenty of space to enjoy a spot of relaxing sunbathing.
Dotted along the sea front there are several kiosks where you can purchase an ice cream or drink.
Also at various intervals along the sea front there are public toilets.
*~*SOUTHSEA MODEL VILLAGE*~*
Southsea has it's very own model village - located near South Parade Pier on Southsea Seafront the Model Village is set upon a small hill. It isn't huge and is probably only likely to take approximately 30/40 minutes to visit but it is always popular with small children.
Admission to the Model Village costs £2 for Adults and £1 for Children.
Further information can be obtained on 023 92294706.
*~*CANOE LAKE*~*
Canoe Lake is located near the model village and is basically a large lake with pedalo style boats that you can hire during the High Season.
*~*SOUTH PARADE PIER*~*
South Parade Pier is a popular place with tourists - there isn't really much there, mainly just a few small fun fair rides and an amusement arcade but it is quite pleasant to take a walk along the pier.
**PLACES TO STAY**
Portsmouth & Southsea both boast many hotels and guest houses including the Marriot and Hilton hotels which are both located close to the Motorway and approximately 10/15 minutes drive from the City Centre and Beach.
For further information on places to stay you can contact the Tourist Information Centre on 023 92826722
**PLACES TO EAT**
Portsmouth & Southsea are both packed with places to eat from fast food establishments such as Burger King, Wimpey, McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut through to fancy restaurants.
Again, further information on places to eat can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre.
**NIGHTLIFE**
Both Portsmouth & Southsea have lots of pubs, bars and nightclubs. There are two casinos based in Portsmouth and Southsea and two major bingo halls.
**PUBLIC TRANSPORT**
Portsmouth has a good public transport service and access to and from the City gain be gained via train, bus, coach, hovercraft, car ferry or catamaran.
**FORTHCOMING EVENTS**
*~* 3rd - 5th May 2003 *~*
Heavy Horse Show - The Heavy Horse Show takes place in Southsea and is a three day event including parading and the very popular Bank Holiday Monday Heavy Horse Parade along Southsea Seafront.
*~* 1st - 3rd August 2003 *~*
Southsea Show - Situated on Southsea Common the Southsea Show is a three day event packed with things to see and do including a craft tent, fun fair rides, arena events, side shows, traction engines, a flower tent, fur and feather tent, ideal home exhibition and lots of other promotional stalls. Well worth a visit.
*~* 23rd - 25th August 2003 *~*
International Kite Show - this also takes place on Southsea Common and is a very colourful event with kites flying in all different shapes and sizes. Again well worth a visit. Admission to the Kite Show is free.
To be honest the above is only a very brief description of some of the many attractions that Portsmouth & Southsea have to offer - I could go on forever, but luckily for you I won't.
I hope you have enjoyed learning all about Portsmouth & Southsea and that one day you will visit and enjoy a great day out there.
Advantages: Plenty to look at and do Disadvantages: Extortionately priced.
...came and over the years, Portsmouth became the main southern port for all kinds of shipping. In 1194, Portsmouth was given a charter and told to build its first dock. In 1495, the world’s first dry-dock was constructed in Portsmouth.
Very little of the original dockyard remains. Later stone buildings are being restored and a new walkway was being laid along the central parade when we visited so space was cramped with a large number of Asian ... ...you will not see anything that was made before the 15th century.
There is reasonable access for disabled visitors. There is wheelchair access to the upper deck of the Warrior. The Mary Rose exhibit has a wheelchair ramp. There is an elevator in the museum so the whole museum is viewable and the shops are all on ground level. The only parts that are off limits to wheelchairs are the lower decks of the Warrior and the whole of the Victory. This is ...
bigdgaff 26.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Portsmouth in General
Advantages: Small and compact. A fair bit to see and do Disadvantages: small, old and a little run down
...depths of the Solent. Portsmouth today doesn’t quite have the same splendour, as it’s former glory. Today Portsmouth is famous for the most unattractive building in Britain (official-the Tricorn centre, a wonder to behold) and a millennium project, which has only just gained approval. WHAT PORTSMOUTH HAS TO OFFER
HISTORY VISITS
It is testament to the cities history that it is only really historic items that are really worth visiting. ... ...I have lived in the Portsmouth for 14 of my 18 years, which is the only knowledge for which I base this assessment. Portsmouth is very much a maritime-based culture, as signalled by the rather obscure cockney-esque accent. In the grand scale of things it is a city probably now relegated to an insignificant level, but if you are a visitor there is certainly a days worth of interesting exploration to be done.
Charles Dickens’ birthplace or the ...
stephen_logan 17.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Portsmouth in General
Advantages: great shops overlooking a bustling harbour Disadvantages: last year's fashions
...astonishing 6m by 2002/3.
Portsmouth was already one of the UKs top 10 cities for shopping, according to a recent survey - Gunwharf should push into the top half of the table
Modelled on Cape Town's waterfront complex, it enjoys one big advantage over its UK rivals - a spectacular harbourfront setting.
It's heaven for shopaphobes who can wile away an hour nursing a beer at a waterfront cafe watching the bustle of ferries, warships and yachts while ... ...and Jongleurs comedy club. If Portsmouth City Council ever gets its act together Gunwharf will be home to the city's millennium tower.
Parking is underground and easy. Pay on return to your car. It's expensive at a £1 for the first hour so better to park for free on the approach to Gunwharf - Millennium Boulevard. Or stop at neighbouring Gosport, where parking if free, and take a five minute cross-harbour ferry to Gunwharf.
Other basics - two cashpoint ...
castlebinn 17.08.2001
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...the very edge of central Portsmouth in the tranquil Alexandra park, MBC is both ideally situated for students and Hampshirians alike as well as providing excellent facilities and a scenic backdrop of Tipner Lake (ok so it’s a little murky, but still better than looking out onto a car park or shopping centre – imho - ooh and the M27 provides a quiet hum on a calm day).
FACILITIES – SPORT Indoor – 2 large sports halls cater ... ...sports clubs (Portsmouth road runners, Portsmouth athletics club not to mention the hockey, football, squash, karate and netball teams). The evenings tend to be heaving so if at all possible visit in the early afternoon or mid-morning. After your workout, you may care to use the sauna or steam room to loosen up – very therapeutic! Membership for the Scultpures fitness suite currently stand at an annual fee of £270 for individual gym or £470 ...
wease 12.06.2001 (17.02.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Portsmouth in General
Advantages: historic old sights,sports,landscape,weather Disadvantages: don't know
...to Portsmouth.
I lived in Portsmouth at a host family.
It was the first time I really spent alone in Great Britain and it was fantastic.
I flew with a plane from berlin to Heathrow Airport and then we were drove to portsmouth by tawi, organised by the language school.
I travelled to England with three other German girls and we lived in different families.
But now something to Portsmouth!
Position:
Portsmouth is a town in South England on the ... ...Portsmouth from Heathrow Airport by car.
It is near of Southmpaton.
Sights:
Portsmouth is a historical town.
The most famous sight is the HMS Victory (Lord Nelson's ship). It is in the old part of Portsmouth near the harbour where you can go to the Isle of Wight. It is a very small ship but everyone who visited Portsmouth saw this sight.
Near the Ship there are a museum and other ships,too.
Some of the ships is the HMS Warrior.
In Portsmouth ...
Elfilein 23.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Portsmouth in General
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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Advantages: Very fast, frequent sailings Disadvantages: Not very comfortable, inconveniently placed mainland port
is only 10 minutes walk away, as is the Sealife Centre and the Pyramids Leisure Complex.
The hovercraft lands on the mainland at Southsea, which can be inconvenient as there are no train stations nearby. The FastCat, on the other hand, arrives at Portsmouth Harbour Train station, from where there are a large number of trains to London and beyond (a definite bonus!). From Southsea, however, there is a very reasonably priced bus which will meet you from the hovercraft port and take you straight to the town centre. The taxis inPortsmouth are also very reliable ingeneral and will usually be able to provide a car to pick you up within 20 minutes of you telephoning them. A taxi costs about £5 to the centre. On the Island, the craft lands right next to the bus station, on the promenade at Ryde, only a 10 minute walk to the town centre ...
Advantages: Easily reached and really welcoming Disadvantages: It is part of a chain - so a wee bit bland
, there was quite a wide area to search for a hotel.
I had left booking until July and discovered that my usual cheap choices like Travelodge, Travel Inn and Premier were either full, or charging their highest tariffs.
So Fareham's Holiday Inn turned out to be the best value in the general area of Portsmouth.
2 Cost.
I paid in advance to get the cheapest rate. That worked out at £60 for a double room, bed and breakfast.
Rack rate - if anyone pays it - is £155, I think, and other offers and rates seem to produce a common average of about £90 per night.
3 Booking
The hotel can be booked in numerous ways.
Go to the Holiday Inn site and you can book through their central reservation desk online.
You could use their telephone number and use the central reservations that way.
Again, you can book direct with the hotel itself ...
Advantages: if your lucky you can get a seat Disadvantages: slow, unreliable, expensive, rude, Very Very Late
I HATE First Great Western trains. you may think that is a little harsh but let me explain just how shocking their service is and then you'll think i've been very reserved with my judgement.
Firstly i'll give you some general information. FGW run trains between London Padington and the South West and generally anywhere else in the south west area, this includes Reading, Portsmouth, Southampton, Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and down into Cornwall. Their trains are generally pretty old, they do have a few new ones but you'll be lucky to get one of those, they never have enough carriages, and although they say they are the most reliable train company in the UK i find it hard to believe.
So why am i so negative, i'll give you a few examples of the shocking service. In July i got FGW trains from Portsmouth to Plymouth ...
esteban1985 29.10.2006 (04.12.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of First Great Western
