| Portsmouth, the Waterfront City, is the UK's | | | | Reserve on Farlington Marsh, Historic |
| only island city. Separated from the mainland | | | | Dockyard with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and |
| by a narrow creek, it has only three approach | | | | the Mary Rose. |
| roads with which to enter the city. The Main | | | | |
| M275 links from the M27 down into the centre | | | | There are numerous parks within the city |
| of the city, the A2030 "Eastern Road" into | | | | Victoria Park, Canoe Lake, Southsea Common, |
| Southsea, and the A3, the main arterial road | | | | Milton Park, and Bransbury Park, with |
| through the city. | | | | Staunton Country Park and Queen Elizabeth |
| | | | Country Park a short drive away. |
| Portsmouth's early life began with a Roman | | | | |
| Fort in the Saxon era, which still remains | | | | The Renaissance Trail is a self-guided, |
| today as Portchester Castle. As now life here | | | | historic tour, which will take you from Spur |
| revolved around the sea, little did the | | | | Redoubt in Old Portsmouth to the gateway of |
| Saxons know that their little fishing village | | | | the Historic Dockyard. |
| would develop into a major garrison town | | | | |
| which would go on to become the main naval | | | | The Millennium Promenades stretch over 6km on |
| base of one of the greatest empires in | | | | both sides of Portsmouth Harbour and your |
| history. Over the centuries, Portsmouth has | | | | tour will take you to some of Portsmouth's |
| also been home to some of England's finest. | | | | most famous landmarks and attractions. The |
| It was the birthplace of Charles Dickens and | | | | trail is marked by a chain motif set into the |
| sometime home of Rudyard Kipling, Arthur | | | | pavement and information boards to mark |
| Conan Doyle and Peter Sellers. | | | | historic spots. Audio-guides are available |
| | | | from the Portsmouth Tourist Information |
| To the west of the island lies Portsmouth | | | | Centre. |
| Harbour and Historic Dockyard, while to the | | | | |
| east is the nature reserve of Langstone | | | | The Nelson Trail will take you through the |
| Harbour and the Farlington Marshes. To the | | | | old parts of Portsmouth relating to Vice |
| north, Portsdown Hill occupies the view while | | | | Admiral Lord Nelson and Portsmouth at the |
| Southsea lies to the south, and across the | | | | time of the Battle of Trafalgar. |
| water, the Isle of Wight. In Southsea, you'll | | | | |
| find attractions such as the Royal Marines | | | | Of course as you would expect with a |
| museum, Southsea Castle and the D-Day Museum | | | | waterfront city we also have numerous beaches |
| with its beautiful centrepiece, the Overlord | | | | ranging along the length of the city. |
| Embroidery. | | | | |
| | | | Shopping in Portsmouth is located in three |
| Portsmouth's history is rich and varied, its | | | | main areas, Cascades Shopping Centre, |
| harbour has witnessed some of the most | | | | Southsea Shopping centre and Gunwharfs Outlet |
| momentous occasions of England's maritime and | | | | shopping. |
| wartime past, etched forever in the history | | | | |
| and spectacle that is today's tourist trail. | | | | Outside the city, only a short drive away on |
| From its origins in Tudor England, Portsmouth | | | | the M27 to the west is another outlet-park - |
| has been one of the centres from where the | | | | Whitely village. |
| Royal Navy controlled the seas. Bombed and | | | | |
| flattened in WWII, Portsmouth has been the | | | | The main area for a night out is Gunwharf |
| seat of the Royal Navy for over five hundred | | | | Quays where you can find the Spinnaker tower, |
| years. Although fortifications have stood | | | | over 20 bars and restaurants, Cinema, Bowling |
| here since the Roman era, Portsmouth's golden | | | | Complex, Casino, along with a large |
| moment in history came on 6th June 1944 with | | | | underground car park. There are lots of other |
| the launch of Operation Overlord. | | | | places to go including Port Solent Marina |
| | | | just outside the city. |
| Portsmouth is renowned for its Naval History | | | | |
| probably the most famous of all is Nelsons | | | | Just outside of the city only a short drive |
| Flag ships "HMS Victory". This is situated in | | | | away there is still plenty to do. |
| the Historic Dockyard, one of the top ten | | | | |
| heritage attractions in the UK, along with | | | | Portchester Castle lying to the west of |
| HMS Warrior the first "Iron Clad" warship and | | | | Portsmouth is a well preserved castle |
| Henry VIII's ill-fated "Mary Rose". In | | | | providing a mirror into some 2000 year's of |
| Gosport, a short ferry ride away, is the | | | | Britain's history. |
| Submarine museum with HMS Alliance. All four | | | | |
| of these vessels can be toured. | | | | To the North along the A3 there is Staunton |
| | | | Country Park, with 1000 acres of landscaped |
| The more modern naval ships can be viewed by | | | | parkland with ornamental lake, The south's |
| boat by taking one of the harbour tours that | | | | largest glasshouse, Golden jubilee maze. For |
| start at several locations across the city. | | | | the children there is a farm and play area. |
| | | | |
| For those who decide to stay within the City | | | | A little further along the A3 is Queen |
| walls and would like to do something under | | | | Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire's biggest |
| cover there is a wealth of other historic | | | | country Park. It has over 20 miles of trails |
| venues including the City Museum, Royal | | | | for walker's cyclists and horse riders and |
| Marines Museum, Southsea Castle, Natural | | | | the highest point on the South Downs. It also |
| History Museum, Charles Dickens House and the | | | | has 1400 acres of open access woodland and |
| D Day Museum with the OverLord Tapestry. | | | | downland and Butser Hill National Nature |
| | | | Reserve |
| We also have the Blue reef aquarium. | | | | |
| | | | Only a short distance across the water is the |
| Attractions that are outside include The | | | | Isle of Weight, there are several means of |
| Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth tallest building | | | | travelling across the water. As a foot |
| with panoramic views, The Model village, | | | | passenger you could use the Hovercraft or if |
| South Parade Pier, Clarence Parade with its | | | | you would prefer to take your car to explore |
| Funfair, 9 hole Pitch and Put on the beach | | | | a little further there are regular ferries |
| front, Millennium Walk, Southmoor Wildlife | | | | leaving throughout the day. |