Portsmouth

Understand

The majority of the city of Portsmouth lies on Portsea Island, though it is separated from the mainland only by a roughly 30-m wide stretch of seawater, so is perhaps more accurately thought of as a peninsula. Historically, Portsmouth has long been an important naval port and builds on its rich heritage with memorials, museums, trails and the fascinating Historic Dockyard. It has of seafront, including pebbled beaches. It is a university city, home to the University of Portsmouth, and has a large multicultural student population.

Portsmouth has a population of 200,000 people and is the most densely populated city in the UK, outside of certain parts of London. The entire Portsmouth Urban Area is home to more than 442,000 people.

Get in

thumb|Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, also known as Portsmouth Cathedral

See

thumb|Spinnaker Tower at night thumb|200px|Southsea castle

Do

Follow the Renaissance Trail around the Millennium Promenade, a self-guided walk with information along the way -- look for the chain in the pavement.

Eat

Portsmouth has hundreds of restaurants catering to all tastes. Towards Fareham, the marina Port Solent offers a variety of restaurants in a pleasant environment with a multiplex movie theatre nearby, and ample (free) onsite parking.

Drink

Guildhall Walk and around the railway station has bars such as Walkabout, Yates and Wetherspoons, and clubs Route 66 and Babylon. The area is well-policed but keep your wits about you.

Sleep

Accommodation in Portsmouth can be browsed online via the official VisitPortsmouth website and the Visitor Info Centre can make bookings/check availability on your behalf: +44 23 9282-6722.

Stay safe

As with most other large English cities, there can be a problem with violence around the city centre at weekends, around pub and club closing times (around 11PM and 2AM), but with a little common sense, the risk is minor. The same applies to the big pub-laden street of Albert Road in Southsea, where drunk people abound and the pavements are relatively narrow.

The area along Southsea seafront can be very quiet and secluded at nights, as it's no longer the bustling nightlife area that it used to be. You should be cautious.

The main place to avoid is Somerstown, the high-rise council estate to the south of the city centre, especially after dark. Somerstown is one of the most deprived places in the country, and consequently it is one of the main, if not the main hotspot for crime in the city, and it is very much best avoided. Somewhat luckily, a tourist has precisely zero reasons to want or need to go there - so don't. If your walking route takes you through Somerstown, choose a different route. Buckland, situated to the north of the city centre, should also be avoided at night - similar caveats apply.

More generally, petty crime is an ongoing concern in the city. Nothing should be left on display in vehicles and it's sensible to park your car in a Park Marque scheme facility (ask at the Visitor Info Centre +44 23 9282-6722).

There is an intense, long-standing and exceptionally bitter football rivalry between Portsmouth FC and Southampton FC, tying into a bitter rivalry betwe…

Connect

As of May 2022, Portsmouth has 5G from all UK carriers.

Go next

Gosport shares the harbour with Portsmouth and can be reached by a short ferry ride from Portsmouth Harbour station. Home of Explosion: Museum of Naval Firepower and the Royal Naval Submarine Museum. Winchester, the former English capital, is a beautiful city worth a visit. Excellent restaurants, interesting shops and the famous cathedral. Chichester housing a lovely city centre and impressive cathedral Emsworth is a small fishing town, a nice retreat year round. The food festival is in the first week of September. New Forest, on the other side of Southampton, is one of the nicest rural getaways in England. Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire and Westquay is the South's premier shopping centre. Isle of Wight is a genteel place reached by ferry, usually from Southampton. Brighton - One direct train per hour takes 80 minutes to this buzzy resort. Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands are reached by ferry from Portsmouth.