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