Portsmouth

Portmsouth is a city situated on Portsea island that links to the mainland by bridge. Portsmouth the city and club are nicknamed Pompey. The origin of this nick name is not clear but one theory is that during an 18th century war,  a captured french ship called La Pompée was later used to protect Portsmouth harbour.

Portsmouth's natural harbour and its strategic position have made it a very important port. The Royal Navy dockyard is still active today, but alongside it is the historical dockyard which has to be one of the best attractions in the UK, for anyone interested in maritime or military history.

HMS Victory, Lord Nelsons heroic flagship from the battle of Trafalgar has pride of place.  HMS Warrior,  Britain's first iron-clad steamship with sails from the 19th century is another eyecatching vessel. Another exhibition is the Mary Rose, the flagship of Henry VIII whose wreck was raised in 1982 and is currently undergoing restoration.   Alongside these important ships are other interesting exhibitions and you could easily spend a whole day in the dockyard.

Portsmouth is also the birthplace of Charles Dickens (the red brick house pictured above left). In spite of it being well signposted, this museum is actually quite easy to miss. Portsmouth like many of the other british ports, suffered considerable damage during world war 2 and the streets immediately around this house are a modern housing estate. When you do find the road, it feels like you have been transported back to another era with a beautiful period Georgian street..

Adjoing to Portsmouth is the resort of Southsea. This is the main traditional style resort in Hampshire, with a number of Victorian Hotels and buildings designed by Thomas Ellis Owen. Southsea Common  is a green open space next to the ong shingle beach, making it an ideal place to walk and relax.

South Parade pier has some amusements and a bowling alley to keep the family occupied, while nearby is the  hovercraft port that ferries from Southsea to Ryde on the Isle of Wight which can be seen in the distance. Southsea and Portsmouth were actively involved in the preparation the DDay landings and this is commemorated in the D Day museum. The other stand out features seen from Southsea are the Napoleonic era Sea Forts, one of which is open to the public, but the others are exclusive homes.

For anyone interested in history, Portsmouth has a lot to offer, but it also has some good facilities for all of the family to enjoy.

Portsmouth Hotels
Portsmouth Car Hire