Portsmouth owes its importance to its beautiful natural harbour, which has served as the Royal Navy’s main base since the days of the Spanish Armada. Today, Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth (HMNB Portsmouth) remains the main naval station in Britain. As a result, many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions are related to naval history, particularly around the spectacular harbor area. Three famous historic ships provide evidence of naval service in the past: Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory; Henry VIII’s Mary Rose; in HMS Warriorthe Royal Navy’s first warship.
Recognizing the strategic importance of Portsmouth, the Romans built a fortress here, a position later reinforced by Henry II, while Richard II expanded the site by building a fortified palace next to the keep. In 1415, Henry V mustered his troops at Portsmouth before departing for France. But the city came under attack during World War II when large parts of the city were bombed due to its strategic importance.
Read also: Exploring Bangkok’s Grand Palace: A Visitor’s Guide
1 HMS Victory
A short distance north of the ferry dock to the Isle of Wightvisitors can find the gateway to the old docks and the site of Lord Nelson’s famous flagship. Built in 1765, the magnificent 197-metre HMS Victory – along with its five decks and 104 guns – has been beautifully restored to its former glory. In his triumphant victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, barely 20 minutes after crossing French lines, Nelson was mortally wounded and died aboard his legendary ship.
Then visit the Royal Naval Museumwhere you’ll find plenty of memorabilia related to Nelson and seafaring in the eighteenth century, including a beautiful 46-foot panoramic painting by William Lionel Wyllie that records the course of the battle.
Locatie: HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
Official site: www.hms-victory.com
2 Mary Rose Museum
The famous Mary Rose, part of Henry VIII’s fleet, is a ship of great historical importance. This four-deck ship with its 91 bronze guns was built in 1509 and enlarged to 700 tons in 1536. In 1545, during a naval battle against the French, it sank just a mile and a quarter from its home port in the They usually.
Raised from the bottom of the Solent in 1982, the remains of the ship, consisting largely of parts of her hull, are now on display at the Mary Rose Museum. In addition to seeing the formidable hull (now dry and preserved) up close, visitors can spend time viewing the displays of some of the more than 26,000 rare artifacts discovered in the wreck, including personal items from the crew along with musical instruments and tools.
Adres: No 3 Dock, Main Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
Official site: www.maryrose.org
3 HMS Warrior
In June 1987, after eight years of restoration work in Hartlepool, HMS Warrior finally returned to its home port of Portsmouth. The ship was introduced in 1860 and was one of the first war hull warships in the world. This 4.80 meter long vessel with a capacity of 9,700 tons is ranked as one of the largest and best equipped vessels of its type. Now a floating museum, HMS Warrior is a treat to explore. Highlights of a visit include seeing the restored crew quarters, including captain’s and officers’ areas, along with displays depicting the often grueling life at sea.
Also worth seeing HMS M33. Built in 1915 and one of only three surviving World War I warships, this recently restored ship can be seen alongside HMS Warrior and HMS Victory in Portsmouth’s historic dockyard.
Locatie: Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
Official site: www.hmswarrior.org
4 Spinnaker Tower
Rising nearly 560 feet above the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is a highlight of any visit to Portsmouth. Located on the water Gunwharf Quaysthis tourist attraction offers stunning panoramic views of the town and its spectacular harbour, as well as the south coast and the Isle of Wight.
On clear days, the view extends for up to 23 miles from the tower’s three observation decks, as well as from the café, aptly named Café de Wolken. Once you brave the glass-floored Sky Walk, spend time with the interactive touchscreen system.
Locatie: Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Official site: www.spinnakertower.co.uk
5 Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Across the water from Portsmouth Go exercise is the submarine museum of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Highlights include Britain’s first submarine, Holland I, launched in 1901, along with HMS Alliance, launched just after the end of World War II. Other notable displays include a World War II German mini-submarine, an Italian human torpedo, weapons, and many other fascinating interactive exhibits about underwater life in a submarine.
Adres: Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport
Official site: www.submarine-museum.co.uk
6 Round and square towers
The Round Tower (1418) and the Square Tower (1494) have guarded the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor for centuries. The Square Tower was originally the residence of the military governor and is today used for functions and weddings. The interior of the Round Tower has been converted for use as an exhibition gallery, while the roof is open all year round and offers a wonderful view of the city and harbour.
Location: Harbour, Portsmouth
Official site: www.squaretower.co.uk
7 Portsmouth Cathedral
The foundation stone of Portsmouth Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, was laid in 1185. The chancel and transepts date from Norman times, while the chancel is in the late style of Sir Christopher Wren stands. A highlight is the south side aisle of the chancel, dedicated to the Royal Navy and reminiscent of Mary Rose and Nelson’s HMS Victory.
Other religious sites in Portsmouth that you should include on your itinerary are the Roman Catholics Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelistbuilt in 1882, and the Royal Garrison Church, also called Domus Dei, built in 1212 as a hospice and almshouse. Also worth a visit is the nearby historic 10 High Street, Buckingham House, where the Duke of Buckingham was murdered in 1628.
Adres: St. Thomas’s Street, Old Portsmouth
Official site: https://portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/
8 Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum consists of the house where the great writer was born in 1812, as well as many fine examples of Regency furniture that once belonged to his family. Among the memorabilia are manuscripts, copies of his novels and his deathbed, brought here from his home in Gad’s Hill Place, Kent. Guided walks of Dickens’ favorite haunts are available, as well as lectures on his work.
Adres: 393 Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth
Official site: www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk
9 Portsmouth City Museum and the Sherlock Holmes Connection
The Victorian Portsmouth City Museum is worth a visit for its extensive collections of arts and crafts. Another big draw is the museum’s large collection of material related to Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the hugely popular character Sherlock Holmes. Highlights include details of the author’s early life as a doctor in Portsmouth, along with exhibits relating to Sherlock’s many incarnations in film and theatre. Also interesting is a permanent exhibition about the story of the city, which shows daily life from the 17th century on the basis of models, regalia, photos and videos.
Adres: Museum Road, Portsmouth
Official site: www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk
10 D-Day Museum
The excellent D-Day Museum is home to plenty of fascinating exhibits about the 1944 Allied invasion of the Normandy coast of France. Highlights include weapons and vehicles used during the invasion, along with immersive displays that encompass the sights and sounds of the battle and the long preparation leading up ready. The museum also houses the Overlord embroidery, a 27-meter tapestry (the world’s largest) that encapsulates the key moments of this World War II watershed moment. The nearby Blue Reef Aquarium presents displays of the mysteries of the underwater world.
Adres: Clarence Esplanade, Southsea
Official site: www.ddaymuseum.co.uk
11 Stansted House
Stansted House, located a few miles north east of Portsmouth, is set in spectacular parkland with an arboretum, walled gardens and ancient chapel. Worth adding to your itinerary. Dating from the 17th century, the Wren-style house contains the Bessborough collection of paintings and family furnishings, including paintings from the early 18th century.
Locatie: Stansted Park, Rowland’s Castle
Official site: www.stanstedpark.co.uk
12 South Sea
Southsea is a popular suburb of Portsmouth and boasts a beautiful three-mile promenade with stunning views over the Isle of Wight. In fact, it was here that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle practiced as a doctor when he wrote his first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet.
Southsea Castle, built by Henry VIII in the 16th century, contains a number of exhibits related to the town’s history, from Tudor times to Victorian times. From the castle walls you have a beautiful view over the Solent fortress to Spitbank. Other things to do in Southsea include visits Cumberland House Natural History Museumwith exhibitions dedicated to the flora and fauna of the sea, and exploring the Royal Marines Museum in the elegant Victorian officers’ mess of Eastney Barracks. The Eastney Beam Engine House is an impressive Victorian building housing a pair of restored 1887 Boulton Watt jet engines and pumps, while Fort Cumberland is a pentagonal stronghold built in 1746.
Adres: Cumberland House, Eastern Parade, Southsea
Official site: https://southsea.co.uk/
Read also:
Discover the Best Weekend Getaways in New England
