Portsmouth Shopping Tips by Jenniflower

GUnwharf Quays: Mega shopping area!

Gunwharf Quays is a waterfront complex of shops (85 designer shops alone, with many non-designer types), catering for all tastes.. overlooking the harbour.

They have quite upmarket shops, and then a few chain ones that are less expensive... and then ones like the Cadbury's Factory Shop.. which sells discounted chocolate!

They also have many kiosks on the side of the shopping avenues, selling ice cream, crepes, liquorice etc.

They have 20 restaurants and bars, from upmarket sit-down meals, to fast food.

I noticed a club they have there too, Tiger Tiger.

I have been to the Haymarket Street branch in London Central... and know it to be an expensive and smart place.. and, going by the types of shops and restaurants they have here, their clientele will enjoy this club too.

I am not a big shopper by nature, but even I enjoyed my time here, having a cuppa coffee, grabbing some liquorice whilst we walked, popping into Nauticalis etc. My sister bought a couple of tops from Ralph Lauren.

Very nice for shopping and eating and general exploring (the historic dock yard) and a day trip we will do again soon!

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.gunwharf-quays.com

Polo Ralph Lauren: Polo player or not...

The first time I entered a Ralph Lauren shop was in Bicester Village, in Oxfordshire.

I am not a keen shopper at the best of times, but was with my sister and a friend of hers, so went along with where they wanted to go.. and I was, surprisingly, enjoying myself!

But I DO have to be in the right mood!

The Ralph Lauren shop at Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays is a superb shopping outlet, with plenty of space to roam around, and a nice selection of clothes... not all to my taste, but they have plenty of colours for one design, which I always appreciate!

The musicians were seated just outside their shop.. and far from dissuading shoppers from entering the store, I think they were probably helping get people in, as they were drawing quite a crowd with their jazzy and mellow music.

What to buy: I have bought a couple of tshirts here before and they are excellent quality, are comfy and nice to wear.

They stock women, men's and children's clothing, fragrances for men and women, sports and outdoor wear and a few homeware products.

What to pay: They are not THAT expensive, considering they are designer-wear too.

Directions: They are units 14/15 and 16 at Gunwharf Quays and are just off the main thoroughfare as you enter the complex.

Phone: 023 9289 0030

Theme: Women's Clothes

Website: http://www.polo.com

Nauticalia: Calling all sailors!

Nauticalia is a shop for the navy buffs!!!

It is found on the right handside as you enter the historic dockyard gates, where the crusty old silor figure is standing.

They have branches throughout the country and they all have the same kind of stock.

What to buy: They have all kinds of naval memorabelia here, from clothes to hats, to caps that say 'wreck' and 'captain'. Lance has one of these!

Fridge magnets, compasses, boat ropes, pictures and photos of ships and boats, model ships, 'make your own' model ships.... you name it... if it has a naval theme... it's here!

We noticed that crocs... colourful plastic shoes - have also made it here ;) They're everywhere!

What to pay: Prices are average, slanting toward expensive... but then it is a tourist shop.

Directions: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ (too long for address tab)

Phone: 023 9286 1148

Theme: Antiques

Website: http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Variety of shops in the dockyard: Excellent naval shops!

The Royal Naval Museum Shop shop is found on the left handside of the gangway, across the way from the HMS Victory ship.

It is a non profit shop, and all proceeds go toward the actual Royal Navy Museum and the HMS Victory maintenance and upkeep.

The Mary Rose Shop sells all types of items from the Tudor period. So has quite a few things similar to what one finds at castle shops, except with a naval theme.

The HMS Victory Shop has a variety of goodies relating to this ship. They have a good mix of kids and adult orientated memorabelia and toys.

Clothes, old books and paintings too... I find this shop VERY interesting :)

You can buy prints of ships from the galleries on the way too, these are inexpensive as they are only copies. A nice memento though!

What to buy: All kinds of naval memorabelie, whether modern and antique.

What to pay: Prices are average.

Directions: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ (too long for address tab)

Other Contact: 023 9283 9938

Phone: 023 9282 6682

Theme: Hobbies

Website: http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk