Sightseeing in Portsmouth - what to see. Complete travel guide

Portsmouth is located on the shore of the Solent Strait. This is a major port city and a naval base of Britain. The city is quite interesting for travelers because it, like many old English towns, has really wide choice of notable places.

Start exploring the city from visiting Spinnaker Tower built in the shape of a sail. At the top of the tower there is a large observation platform from which travellers will enjoy panoramic of Portsmouth in details. The majority of the city’s attractions and excursions are related to marine issues. You can examine models of ancient ships and even go inside the submarine if you visit Gosport Submarine Museum.

The yard region, which is located near the Spinnaker Tower, features many interesting things. Here is anchored a beautiful ship named Mary Rose, which was built in the mid-16th century. During one of its battles with the French fleet, the ship sank. Later it was discovered by archaeologists and brought to the surface. This is one of the most significant findings of the last century. Another historical monument is the HMS Victory ship, which participated in the battle with the Napoleon’s flotilla. HMS Warrior 1860 is the largest ship. This was the first model, which body was entirely made of iron. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

After visiting all models you can visit one of the local shops that offer large selection of souvenirs and miniature models of ships. Souvenir shops will become a true finding for fans and collectors of marine theme items.

Another attraction is Portsmouth's house where lived the famous writer Charles Dickens. It was converted into a museum, which still keeps the decoration from the times when Dickens has lived here. The museum also has numerous manuscripts and a large library.

A beautiful architectural monument is Osborne House. Built in the 19th century by the order of Queen Victoria, it had remained her favorite summer residence for many years. Today, within the walls of the beautiful palace, there is a rich collection of ancient works of art, antique furniture, and various precious jewelry, which once belonged to the royal family. Currently, the palace houses a small children's museum, so it is considered an ideal place for a family visit. The palace is surrounded by a magnificent landscaped garden with many natural observation points offering a wonderful panoramic view of the Solent Strait.

History buffs would be interested in visiting Fort Nelson built in the middle of the 19th century, which is presently part of the Royal Armouries. A collection of artillery that includes especially valuable exhibits is of particular interest to its visitors. The open-air museum houses bronze cannons produced back in the middle of the 15th century, as well as a collection of French guns that were captured during the Battle of Waterloo. Visitors to Fort Nelson are invited to take part in interesting historical events, costumed performances and shooting show presenting various guns.

One of the oldest historic buildings in the city is Portchester Castle. Its construction began in the late 11th century and lasted almost a hundred years. The castle surrounded by picturesque forests was the favorite hunting residence of King John. Over the years, the castle has survived many battles. The very first major reconstruction of the castle took place in the 14th century by the order of King Edward II. After the renovation, the fortress was used as a prison for some time. Today, the castle's main tower houses a very interesting historical exhibition.

The city has two sumptuous theaters, whose repertoire makes an invaluable contribution to its cultural life. In New Theatre Royal Portsmouth you can attend spectacular and atmospheric performances supplemented by incredible light shows and musical accompaniment. Next to the theatre is another interesting tourist attraction - the historic pub, which has been producing brand beer for more than 100 years. The oldest theatre in the city is the Groundlings Theatre, which has managed to retain some of its unique original decorations.