Portsmouth Things to Do Tips by annase Top 5 Page for this destination

Gunwharf Quays - outlet shopping

Gunwharf Quays consists of almost 100 outlet stores, 30 bars & restaurants, a health & fitness centre, 14 screen cinema, a 26 lane Bowling alley, a comedy club, night club, casino and a hotel (Holiday Inn Express).

There are clothing to suit every style and budget. About half of the stores are devoted to women’s fashion, including designer handbags, shoes, cocktail dresses and jeans. Some of the outlets include Polo Ralph Lauren, Gant, White Company, L.K. Bennett, Timbaland, Guess, Clarks, Karen Millen, Nike, Adidas, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker, Lacoste, Hugo Boss (for men) and Fred Perry.

The outlet shopping complex is landscaped in a formerly navy owned property and there are several remnants of its past (there is for example an old crane on the canal side, which has been build in the middle just to make it look like there is a canal).

Join the Gunwharf Quays Priviledge Club online for free and you’ll be informed about special offers and be invited to exclusive events and special Privilege Club shopping evenings, with great deals in the shops and restaurants.

Bars, restaurants & leisure facilities are all open 7 days & nights a week.

General opening hours
Monday-Friday 10am to 7pm
Saturday 9am to 7pm
Sunday* 10am to 5pm
*Due to Sunday trading law, larger stores are unable to open until 11am on Sundays.

Some stores and restaurants have opening times that differ from the centre's opening times.

Address: Portsmouth Harbour

Directions: A short walk away from the Historic Dockyard and Old Portsmouth

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

Historic Dockyard

I lived almost a year next to the Historic Dockyard without ever setting my foot into the various museum boats and museums located in this area, including the wreck of the famous Mary Rose ship which apparently was the favourite ship of Henry VIII. The new Mary Rose museum is being built at the moment. It should be finished and opening in early 2013 and it will house the whatever is left of this famous 16th century ship (i.e. the hull). The wreck will be visible in its final phase of conservation. It is being kept moisturised with a spray consisting of wax and water virtually 24/7. The sprays are only turned off for maintenance and inspection of the ship remains. I can't wait to see the new museum when it opens. Currently you can visit the 'old' museum building that houses interesting exhibition about Mary Rose with very informative videos and other interesting facts until 4 November 2012. However, the hull is currently not open to view.

One of the other historical ships on the dockyard includes HMS Warrior, the first ever warship which was iron-hulled, armoured and powered by both steam and sail. It is constructed of wrought iron. When Warrior was originally built, she was bigger, faster and more heavily armed than any other warship. However, sadly within a decade she became obsolete as the technology on-board was surpassed. HMS Warrior is the only surviving member of Queen Victoria's Black Battle Fleet. It was used as an oil jetty at Milford Haven for 50 years before being restored to her former glory. The former dock workers in Hartlepool made a fab job since the ship is absolutely great. The four decks of this awesome ship show you a glimpse what the life of the Victorian sailor in a 19th century warship was probably like.

HMS Victory, the third historical war ship on site is currently going through a 10 year restoration. This ship was Admiral Nelson's ship, and she famously fought in the Battle of Trafalgar. Because of the current restoration, visitors have the rare opportunity to see how the great sailing warships of the 18th century were built and maintained at battle readiness. So far at least the ship’s three masts have been dismantled. Next up are the bowsprit and rigging. Curiously, last time HMS Victory was seen without her top masts was in 1944.

Highly recommended although the admission is slightly expensive (22.95 GBP online, 25.50 at the gate in 2012)

Opening times:
April - October
Last tickets are sold at 4.30pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 6.00pm.

November - March
Last tickets are sold at 4.00pm and the Dockyard gates are closed at 5.30pm.

Address: Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

Phone: General Enquiries - 023 9283 976

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

Spice Island

The area surrounding the 'Point' in Old Portsmouth is known as 'Spice Island' as it was the main port for the importation of spices from the Caribbean in the 18th century. Apparently, the area has changed very little since the time when spices were being imported there. Terraces that are typical of the architecture from the 18th century line the streets.

There are some pubs where you can refresh yourself after an exhausting walk. At the same time you can get a pretty good view of the modern development of the Portsmouth Harbour, Gunwharf Quays and Spinnaker Tower from the Point.

Due to the history of the area, one of the pubs in the Point is called the Spice Island Inn. Another pub next to it (Fuellers pub called 'Still and West') has fab views towards the narrow 'mouth' of the harbour. They also serve traditional fish and chips wrapped in paper if you fancy eating something traditional and greasy. They serve food from 12noon onwards.

An interesting fact about this place is that they were once hauling a really tall warship through the 'mouth' and it almost hit the 'Point'. There is a picture inside the Fueller's pub. I first thought it wasn't real, but it is.

Address: Bath Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2JL

Directions: The 'Point' is located at the end of Broad Street

Enjoy the fab views

The Spinnaker Tower is 170m high above sea level. It is higher than the London Eye, Blackpool tower and Big Ben and at 170m is the tallest publicly accessible structure in the UK. It is visible for miles around Portsmouth, changing the area's horizon.

Three different designs for the tower were proposed the Spinnaker design, a tripod design intended to emulate ship funnels and a twin tower design holding a large glass globe at the top. The final decision of the choice of design was given to the residents of Portsmouth, exhibitions were held in various locations around the area, with visitors being able to cast their vote, 13,000 people atended and voted at these exhibitions, with more than 60% favouring the Spinnaker design.

The design is similar to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. However, the latter being a little less than twice as tall at 323 m. The tower represents sails billowing in the wind, a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping steel arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design.

The tower opened for business in October 2005, offering panaramic views across Portsmouth Harbour, across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and far beyond.The viewing distances on a clear day are claimed to be 37 km or 23 miles. At the top is a triple observation deck, providing a 320° view of the city of Portsmouth, the Langstone and Portsmouth harbours.

•Deck1 is at a height of 100m, has full height glass walls and is home to the largest glass floor in Europe.
•Deck2 is at 105m and is home to the 'time telescopes' and from 18 October 2010 onwards, there will also be a coffee shop on deck 2.
•Deck 3, known as the 'Crows Nest' is at 110m high and is open to the elements. It is the highest of the three observation platforms and has a wire mesh roof, allowing visitors to be in the elements. Windows extend to above head height, so it is not possible to get a view unobstructed by glass.

The website promises that if you can't see the 3 Solent forts on the day of your visit, each member of your party will be issued with a ticket to return for free within 3 months. To claim your free return visit, you must speak to our Duty Manager whilst you are visiting the Tower.

Admission: Adults £7.25, children (3-15 yrs) £5.75 (children under 3 FREE), senior citizens (60+) and students £6.50. Valid until 31st January 2011
Guide Book £3.50, Audio Guide £1.00

The Spinnaker Tower is open daily except for Christmas Day. Opening times are 10am - 6pm.
Last admissions 30 minutes before closing.

Address: Portsmouth Harbour

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

Fortified walls and battlement towers

Portsmouth was also an important port and military stronghold with the fortified walls and battlement towers defending the town from the sea. Two of the original fortifications are the two towers which have been in place for around 500 years. The Square Tower was built in 1494 and was originally a gun platform. It later served as a fortified residence for the Governor and subsequently it was later used as a store for gunpowder and then meat for the Navy. On the north east side of the tower is a gilded bust of King Charles I which was a gift to the city from the King himself.

The Round Tower, which dates from 1418, is at the other end of Point Barracks that were built in the 19th century. It was originally a single storey 18 gun battery and much narrower than it is today. The second tier was added to house 32 cannon while the rest of the battery was rearmed with 68 carronades on traversing mounts.

From the promenade you can also see the Saluting Platform (also Great Platform) which was originally built in Tudor times to carry bronze and iron guns to guard the harbour approaches. The Saluting Platform as well as the raised walkway which runs between the platform and the Spur Redoubt was originally built as a promenade in 1862.

The foundations of the town's main Guard House are outlined in red brick on the lower level next to the Promenade. This building was demolished in 1883.

Address: Old Portsmouth

Millenium Promenade

The Millenium Promenade is a walkway that stretches over 6km on both sides of Portsmouth Harbour: 3km both the Portsmouth and Gosport communities. You can follow the Promenade all the way from the Historic Dockyard around Gunwharf Quays and further south into the centre of the Old Portsmouth that has retained much of its 18th century port feel. The promenade finishes at Spur Redoubt near Clarence Pier, Southsea.

The promenade has been built of natural stone and it was opened in 2001. Once it was opened, it made the part of waterfront accessible to the public after some centuries. The route is marked by a chain motif set into the surface, symbolising partnership between Portsmouth and Gosport & between past and present. Historically it also refers to the chain, which used to be tightened across the harbour entrance at times of potential attack.

The promenade is lighted by column-mounted lanterns. They were designed to reflect the historic character of blue lights at night that are strung around the harbour.

The ruins of the Old Naval Garrison Church

Despite being bombed during World War II, the ruins of the Old Naval Garrison Church are still standing on the Grand Parade. The church was originally founded in 1212 as a hospice. It was also used as shelter for overseas pilgrims on their way to the cathedrals at Winchester, Chichester and Canterbury. In May 1662 Catherine of Braganza from Portugal landed at Portsmouth to marry King Charles II.

There are nearly 300 memorials associated with this church. However, many of the plagues went missing after they had been removed following the bombing in the 1940s. Further problems have been caused by the decision not to replace the church roof which has led to considerable erosion of the plaques. The reasons behind the decision not to replace the main roof and provide a roof to the Nave are the fact that this would probably increase the deterioration of the exposed stonework. Owing to its location next to the sea, the stonework has absorbed considerable amounts of salt solution, which would cause further damage if the salt was able to dry out.

The church is open from April to end Sept (Mon-Fri between 11am-4pm).

Admission is free.

Parking on streets adjacent to the church is permitted, though residents parking schemes operate in some areas.

For bookings and information about the church phone the Secretary, Friends of the Royal Garrison Church Peter Richmond, on 023 9282 3973 or e-mail peter.richmond1@ntlworld.com

Address: The Grand Parade