Waters Edge Holidays Begin from Portsmouth
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Enjoy lifeon thewaters edge Holidays begin from Portsmouth With a wide choice of year-round sailings to France and Spain, Portsmouth is an ideal gateway to your holiday. brittanyferries.com 0871 244 0573 where holidays begin Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Holidays begin from Portsmouth This guide gives an overview of what Portsmouth has to offer. If you have any With a wide choice of questions or need details about opening year-round sailings to France times or prices, please visit our website www.visitportsmouth.co.uk or call and Spain, Portsmouth is 023 9282 6722. an ideal gateway to your holiday. Contents 4 Welcome to Portsmouth brittanyferries.com 6 Step back in time 0871 244 0573 10 Fun for all 11 Shoppers paradise 12 Sunset and into the night 16 What’s happening in 2012 20 Visit Portsmouth 24 Where to stay 26 Time to eat Cover photo: Camber Dock © Richard Perrin Photography: Richard Perrin, Mark Maguire, Ali Schillemore, Julian Heritage, Duncan Allan, Trevor Wintle, Keith Allso, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Matt Maber, Paul Thompson, Jon Somers, Simon Stuart Miller, Jelena Bavrina, Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Southsea Gallery. Designed and produced by: [email protected] | 023 9284 1474 Printed by: Holbrooks Printers Ltd | 023 9266 1485 Important note: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct, Portsmouth City Council cannot guarantee complete accuracy of the information and all liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damages caused by this publication, is hereby excluded. where holidays begin As changes often occur after press date, it is advisable to confirm the information given with the Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. relevant organisation. All information is for guidance only, and was current as of December 2011. welcome toportsmouth Portsmouth is a dynamic and vibrant waterfront city bursting with great reasons to visit. From the pomp and ceremony of our proud naval and maritime heritage, to towering world-class visitor attractions, museums and galleries, unique shopping destinations, great places to eat, and miles and miles of beautiful seafront, Portsmouth offers something for absolutely everyone. Packed with famous attractions and hidden gems, this guide takes you on a tour of the experience that’s waiting for you here in Portsmouth. Some of the finest maritime heritage in the world is located in the Historic Dockyard, including world-famous ships HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose. Don’t miss the breathtaking panoramic views of Portsmouth and beyond from the top of the iconic Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth offers a unique shopping experience; from the award-winning Gunwharf Quays and major high-street names in the city centre, to the array of independent and quirky shops in Southsea. Solve the mystery of the city’s Sherlock Holmes connection, take in views of the Solent from the battlements of Henry VIII’s castle, visit the house where Charles Dickens was born 200 years ago, uncover the secrets of the D-Day landings, and much more. 4 Portsmouth the Great Waterfront City Portsmouth is one of the UK’s warmest and driest cities – June/ July sees average temperature highs of 18-20 degrees Celsius and average rainfall of only 41-48mm. Ready to welcome the world in 2012! 2012 is an exciting year for the country and Portsmouth is a top destination choice for visitors. It is 200 years since Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in a modest house in Portsmouth, now a museum, and the city is hosting a year long festival to celebrate. The opening of the Hindhead Tunnel means the city is just over an hour from London, a fantastic base for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. www.visitportsmouth.co.uk 5 step back in time Portsmouth was founded circa 1180 and received its first charter from Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) in 1194. Since then the city has been a key player in many major historical events, including Nelson’s last battle at Trafalgar, the sailing of the First Fleet to Australia, and the D-Day landings. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a unique attraction showcasing 800 years of naval history within working docks and historic buildings. Home of the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Warrior 1860 and Nelson’s HMS Victory, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers a mixture of historic naval ships and a taste of life in the modern navy. Action Stations offers fun for all ages with a range of physical challenges, simulators and technological experiments. Add the National Museum of the Royal Navy, a 45-minute Harbour Tour by boat, the Dockyard Apprentice and the Trafalgar Sail and you have one of the best-value days out in the UK. Coming soon… The hull of the Mary Rose is currently withdrawn from public view as part of a £35 million heritage project to build an internationally-renowned museum. The ship, together with a recreation of the boat’s missing side, is due to open this autumn, when she will be housed in a brand new boat-shaped museum. Visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk for regular updates and to make sure you make the most of your visit. 6 Portsmouth the Great Waterfront City D-Day Museum At the D-Day Museum key events are shown on film whilst reconstructions, military vehicles and personal accounts demonstrate how D-Day was co-ordinated. At the heart of the museum, commemorating the D-Day landings in 1944, the Overlord Embroidery is a veritable work-of-art and the modern equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry. And much more… Other historical highlights include Southsea Castle, the Round Tower and Square Tower fortifications at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, two magnificent cathedrals, the English Heritage Garrison Church, Portsmouth City Museum and the Royal Marines Museum. Read all about it A number of famous authors were born or have spent time in Portsmouth, the most notable perhaps being Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Dickens 2012 is a celebration of 200 years since Charles Dickens was born. A city-wide festival will include a new exhibition ‘A Tale of One City’ at the city museum, and events around Dickens’ birthday in February at Charles Dickens Birthplace. Charles Dickens, engraving by R. Graves © Charles Dickens Museum, London www.visitportsmouth.co.uk 7 Dive into history... Meet the crew and share their experiences. • HMS ALLIANCE • X24 MIDGET SUB • HOLLAND 1 • INTERACTIVE GAMES • COFFEE SHOP • HARBOUR TOURS meet the crew today www.submarine-museum.co.uk Tel 023 9251 0354 Haslar Jetty Rd, Gosport PO12 2AS Access to HMS Alliance may not be possible due to vital conservation work, please check online PORTSMOUTH TWIN CATHEDRAL CITY Come and visit these two inspiring Cathedrals, which are part of Portsmouth’s rich and historic heritage. Open 9am - 5pm daily. PORTSMOUTH TWIN CATHEDRAL CITY Come and visit these two inspiring Cathedrals, which are part of Portsmouth’s rich and historic heritage. OpenPortsmouth 9am - 5pm daily. twin cathedral city Come and visit these two inspiring Cathedrals, which are part of Portsmouth’s rich and historic heritage. St John the Evangelist Catholic Cathedral St Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Cathedral EdinburghCatholic Cathedral, Road, Portsmouth High Street, Old Portsmouth 023Bishop 9282 Crispian 6170 Way, 023 9282 3300 Portsmouth. 023 9282 6170 www.portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk www.portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk St John the Evangelist Catholic Cathedral St Thomas of of Canterbury Canterbury Anglican Cathedral Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth HighAnglican Street, Cathedral, Old Portsmouth 023High 9282 Street, 3300 Old Portsmouth 023 9282 6170 023 9282 3300 www.portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk fun for all Whatever your age there are plenty of attractions in the city to enjoy during your stay. Soaring 170m high and standing proudly over Portsmouth is the iconic Spinnaker Tower, the tallest viewing tower in Britain. Daring visitors can almost walk on air by crossing Europe’s largest glass floor. The seafront is one of the most popular areas in Portsmouth, enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. Indulge in an ice-cream on the sunny promenade, looking out across the Solent, Europe’s busiest waterway. Adjacent to the beach and seafront promenade, Southsea Common is a vast open space ideal for kite flying, picnics, barbecues and informal ball games. Nearby Canoe Lake is a fun family spot popular for crabbing, pedalos, picnics and a play park complete with a splash pool. A must on sunny days. Further along the seafront you’ll find Clarence Pier, the largest amusement park on the south coast. Let your children find out about the city’s wildlife and geology for free at Cumberland House, Portsmouth’s natural history museum. Other highlights include Blue Reef Aquarium and Aspex Art Gallery. 10 Portsmouth the Great Waterfront City shoppersparadise Portsmouth offers a unique shopping experience. In Southsea there’s a wealth of distinctive stores selling everything from retro clothing to antique furniture just a pebble’s throw from the beach. Palmerston Road is home to two department stores, high-street favourites and a brand new library whilst Marmion Road presents chocolatiers, designer jewellery, boutiques and interior design specialists. Albert Road is considered one of the city’s hidden gems. Discover vintage delights, edgy clothing, stylish hairdressers, antiques and collectables. With a distinctly bohemian feel, the street is buzzing day and night with quirky cafés and bars. You’ll find top designer outlets, stylish restaurants and chic bars on the waterfront at the award-winning Gunwharf Quays. Meander through the pedestrian avenues and discover massive savings on designer labels and high street favourites. Head to our city centre where there are over 200 stores and the indoor shopping mall Cascades is home to some of the biggest brand names in the UK.