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Portsmouth

Portsmouth

🎭 Best Things To Do

Portsmouth is unlike any other coastal city in England — shaped by centuries of naval history yet buzzing with a genuinely eclectic creative scene. From the cobbled lanes of Old Portsmouth to the waterfront energy of Gunwharf Quays, there's real depth here if you know where to look. We've done the digging so you can skip the tourist traps.

50 places in Portsmouth

Alver Valley

Things To Do

Alver Valley

Explore nature and wildlife at this scenic Hampshire valley destination.

££
Alver Valley Country Park

Things To Do

Alver Valley Country Park

Explore nature and wildlife in this scenic Portsmouth-area country park.

££
Baffins Pond

Things To Do

Baffins Pond

Discover nature's tranquility at Portsmouth's beloved freshwater pond oasis.

££
Broadmarsh Coastal Park

Things To Do

Broadmarsh Coastal Park

Discover nature's wonders at this scenic coastal park near Portsmouth.

££
Catherington Down

Things To Do

Catherington Down

Explore rolling downland with scenic views and peaceful countryside walks.

££
Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

Things To Do

Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

The house where Dickens was born, furnished in Regency style and open from March to September.

££
Clarence Pier

Things To Do

Clarence Pier

Seasonal rides & an upside-down house, plus year-round arcades & an indoor playground.

££
Cosham Park

Things To Do

Cosham Park

Green space oasis offering recreational activities for all ages.

££
Creech Wood

Things To Do

Creech Wood

Explore ancient woodland trails and diverse wildlife in Portsmouth's natural gem.

££
Fort Brockhurst

Things To Do

Fort Brockhurst

Victorian fort with a moat, parade ground and a circular keep, plus display of excavated treasures.

££
Gosport Discovery Centre

Things To Do

Gosport Discovery Centre

Explore Gosport's rich maritime history and heritage at this interactive centre.

££
Gurnard Road Park

Things To Do

Gurnard Road Park

Green space offering play areas, sports facilities, and peaceful walks.

££
HMS Alliance

Things To Do

HMS Alliance

Museum on board an a-class submarine, complete with sound effects & a working periscope.

££
Havant Park

Things To Do

Havant Park

Explore nature and recreation at this popular Portsmouth-area park.

££
Hayling Boat Trips

Things To Do

Hayling Boat Trips

Explore the Solent's waters on unforgettable boat trips from Hayling Island.

££
Hazelton Common Nature Reserve

Things To Do

Hazelton Common Nature Reserve

Explore wildlife and woodland trails at this peaceful Portsmouth nature reserve.

££
Hermitage Garden

Things To Do

Hermitage Garden

Discover serene gardens and historic charm at Hermitage Garden.

££
Hollybank Woods

Things To Do

Hollybank Woods

Discover ancient woodlands and scenic walking trails near Portsmouth.

££
Jubilee Park

Things To Do

Jubilee Park

Jubilee Park offers family fun with playgrounds, sports facilities, and green spaces.

££
Langstone Meadows

Things To Do

Langstone Meadows

Explore nature's haven with scenic walks and abundant wildlife at Langstone Meadows.

££
Langstone Mill Pond

Things To Do

Langstone Mill Pond

Scenic waterside spot perfect for peaceful walks and wildlife watching.

££
Little Woodham Living History Village

Things To Do

Little Woodham Living History Village

A small, working 17th century village with houses & workshops run by volunteers.

££
Mary Rose Museum

Things To Do

Mary Rose Museum

Museum for 16th-century Tudor warship, & King Henry VIII's favourite, built in 1510 & sunk in 1545.

££
Meon Shore Hide

Things To Do

Meon Shore Hide

Discover hidden natural beauty and wildlife at this coastal gem.

££
Nore Barn Woods

Things To Do

Nore Barn Woods

Explore ancient woodlands and nature trails near Portsmouth's countryside.

££
Portchester Castle

Things To Do

Portchester Castle

Commanding castle crucial to Solent defences for centuries, with audio-tours and picnic space.

££
Portsmouth Cathedral

Things To Do

Portsmouth Cathedral

Pale-stone, Anglican cathedral in a 12th-century setting, plus lunchtime recitals for a fee.

££
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Things To Do

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Historic area with iconic attractions like Nelson's HMS Victory, HMS Warrior & the Mary Rose Museum.

££
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

Things To Do

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

Includes the city's art and design collections and a special Sherlock Holmes trail in the grounds.

££
Portsmouth Natural History Museum

Things To Do

Portsmouth Natural History Museum

Modern collection of natural history exhibits including dinosaurs, fossils & a working beehive.

££
Priddy's Hard

Things To Do

Priddy's Hard

Explore historic military fortifications and interactive naval heritage exhibits.

££
Rock Up - Climbing Centre & Soft Play - Whiteley

Things To Do

Rock Up - Climbing Centre & Soft Play - Whiteley

Rock Up climbing walls and soft play adventures for all ages.

££
Round Tower

Things To Do

Round Tower

Fortification built in the 15th century, now used as an art gallery with a cafe & harbour views.

££
Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson

Things To Do

Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson

Restored Victorian fortress housing a big gun collection and displays tracing artillery development.

££
Royal Navy Museums: Explosion

Things To Do

Royal Navy Museums: Explosion

Museum examining history and social consequences of naval warfare with interactive displays.

££
Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory

Things To Do

Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory

Museum within the world's oldest commissioned warship which gained fame at the Battle of Trafalgar.

££
Royal Navy Museums: HMS Warrior

Things To Do

Royal Navy Museums: HMS Warrior

Britain's first iron-hulled, armoured warship and pride of the fleet with an on-site visitor centre.

££
Royal Navy Museums: Portsmouth

Things To Do

Royal Navy Museums: Portsmouth

Royal Naval and maritime history and artefacts, helicopter simulator and a focus on Horatio Nelson.

££
Royal Navy Museums: Submarines

Things To Do

Royal Navy Museums: Submarines

Waterfront collection of 3 submarines, science dsiplays and guided tours of HMS Alliance.

££
Salterns Park

Things To Do

Salterns Park

Salterns Park offers waterside walks and peaceful green spaces in Fareham.

££
South Parade Pier

Things To Do

South Parade Pier

Historic Victorian pier offering traditional seaside entertainment and stunning views.

££
Southmoor Nature Reserve

Things To Do

Southmoor Nature Reserve

Explore diverse wildlife and habitats at this peaceful Portsmouth nature reserve.

££
Southsea Beach

Things To Do

Southsea Beach

A beloved stretch of coastline where Portsmouth comes alive by the sea.

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Southsea Model Village

Things To Do

Southsea Model Village

Step into a charming miniature world loved by families for generations.

££
Southsea Rock GardenS

Things To Do

Southsea Rock GardenS

Explore dramatic coastal rock formations and hidden coves at Southsea.

££
Spinnaker Tower

Things To Do

Spinnaker Tower

Landmark tower with an on-site cafe and a glass-floored platform overlooking Portsmouth harbour.

££
Stanley Park

Things To Do

Stanley Park

A vibrant green space perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts in Gosport.

££
Stansted Park

Things To Do

Stansted Park

Evocative stately estate with a maze and mansion with servants' quarters, open April-September.

££
Staunton Country Park

Things To Do

Staunton Country Park

Discover countryside adventures at Staunton Country Park near Portsmouth.

££
Staunton Farm

Things To Do

Staunton Farm

Expanse of parkland and gardens with petting farm, barn play area, Victorian glasshouse and lake.

££
Things To Do guides for Portsmouth
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