discovergosport.co.uk discovergosport www.discovergosport.co.uk Gosport & Lee-on-the-Solent Visiting Gosport There are mainline train links direct from London to Portsmouth Harbour railway station, which is right next to the Gosport Ferry pontoon. Then it’s simply a short 5 minute scenic ferry trip across the harbour to Gosport. Come by yacht, and there’s a choice of three excellent deep water fully equipped marinas. There are ferry connections with France & Spain (Brittany Ferries: www.brittany-ferries.co.uk ) plus the Isle of Wight (Wightlink: www.wightlink.co.uk & Hovertravel: www.hovertravel.co.uk ) and the Channel Islands (Condor Ferries: www.condorferries.co.uk). Southampton Airport is a short drive away along the M27, and if you are driving Gosport is well signposted from the motorway. To help you make the most of your visits, our friendly, well trained staff at the Tourist Information Centre can help with accommodation bookings, guides, and local information. Gosport Tourist Information Centre, Bus Station Complex, South Street, Gosport, PO12 1EP Telephone: 023 9252 2944 Email: [email protected] www.discovergosport.co.uk Cover images: Top: HMS Alliance Bottom: Sailing on the Solent LONDON GOSPORT 2 GOSPORT & LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT Located on England’s south coast - just across the harbour from Portsmouth, Gosport and Lee-on-the- Solent offer an irresistible mix of fascinating places to visit and things to do for all ages. 24 miles of waterfront, safe panoramic beaches, impressive naval heritage, plenty of watersports plus scenic countryside walks and historic trails, there is much to keep the family entertained. Contents Page 4 Impressive Heritage 8 On the Water 10 Family Fun Activities 13 Map 18 Out and About 22 Food for Thought 24 Events 27 Gosport for Groups Diving Museum Photo Credits’ section: ‘NMRN, Diving Museum, Hovercraft Museum, Visit England, GBC, Clipper Race, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, Gosport Marine Scene CIC, St Vincent College, Sultan Show, 17th Century Village, Gosport Ferry. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication Gosport Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors or amendments or for any inconvenience arriving therefrom. Caption 3 HMS Alliance: RN Submarine Museum Impressive Heritage Find out what lurks beneath the waves at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Take a tour of Britain’s only surviving WW2 era ocean-going submarine HMS Alliance to discover what it was like to live and work on a submarine. Learn about the weapons used by the Royal Navy at Explosion! - Museum of Naval Firepower an award- winning museum of naval warfare set within the 18th century buildings of the Royal Navy’s former armaments depot at Priddy’s Hard. Follow the 2 mile Millennium Waterfront Trail that links these two sites to enjoy spectacular views across Portsmouth Harbour taking in the Falkland Gardens and the ‘Timespace’ sundial. The Museum of Diving showcases the best range of military, commercial and recreational diving equipment in Europe (perhaps the World!). Whilst just along the coast the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent is home to the only collection of historic hovercraft in the world (open to visitors by appointment). Both are run by a dedicated team of enthusiasts. Hovercraft Museum 4 Explosion - Museum of Naval Firepower Moving away from the maritime theme, another fascinating option is to wander through the 1642 Living History Village to see ‘villagers’ dressed in period costumes demonstrating the skills of the blacksmith, lace-makers and weavers. (Check the attractions’ websites for opening dates/times). Royal Navy Submarine Museum - www.submarine-museum.co.uk Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower - www.explosion.org.uk Diving Museum - www.divingmuseum.co.uk Hovercraft Museum - www.hovercraft-museum.org 1642 Living History Village - www.littlewoodham.org.uk Fort Brockhurst - www.english-heritage.org.uk 1642 Living History Village 5 ROYAL NAVY SUBMARINE MUSEUM STEP INTO THE SECRET WORLD OF THE SUBMARINER 10 amazing attractions - one big day out Book online at historicdockyard.co.uk 6 VS_NMRM_198x210_Subs_Gosport Guide.indd_V2.indd 1 11/09/2015 12:25 ROYAL NAVY SUBMARINE MUSEUM STEP INTO THE SECRET WORLD OF THE SUBMARINER 10 amazing attractions - one big day out Book online at historicdockyard.co.uk 7 VS_NMRM_198x210_Subs_Gosport Guide.indd_V2.indd 1 11/09/2015 12:25 Solent Sailing On the Water Gosport is the ideal destination for your sailing or watersports vacation. With boat/yacht hire, sailing tuition, marinas (all with deep-water access), fishing trips, wind-surfing, kite- surfing, and jet-skiing there is something for all ages and abilities. You will also find a range of self-catering properties and hotels for crew accommodation plus numerous chandleries and plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants. Gosport Ferry Ltd operates summer cruises around the Solent from June to September. These leisurely boat cruises are a great way to enjoy the sights of Portsmouth Harbour, Solent Forts, Cowes, Ryde, Beaulieu, Hamble, The Needles, Yarmouth and Southampton from the water. More information on things nautical can be found in the ‘Gosport: Everything for Boaters’ leaflet which you can get from the Tourist Information Centre, or see www. gosportmarinescene.com or the sailing and watersports section of www.discovergosport.co.uk 8 Learn to sail PREMIUM OUTLET SHOPPING © Clipper Race Haslar Marina - www.haslarmarina.co.uk Tel. 023 9260 1201 Premier Marinas Gosport - www.premiermarinas.com/gosport Tel 023 9252 4811 Royal Clarence Marina - www.royalclarencemarina.org Tel. 023 9252 3523 Summer Cruises - www.gosportferry.co.uk Tel. 023 9252 4551 Gosport Marine Scene - www.gosportmarinescene.com YOU COULD GET CARRIED AWAY where over 90 famous brands come together with great dining on the historic waterfront UP TO 60% OFF RRP gunwharf-quays.com 9 1789_Gosport_Visitors_99x210mm_AW2.indd 1 20/10/2015 16:38 Family Fun activities Gosport & Lee-on-the-Solent offers lots of family activities that won’t break the bank. Beach Areas - Lee-on-the-Solent & Stokes Bay With safe swimming and great water-sport opportunities, a day on the beach at Lee-on-the-Solent or Stokes Bay will delight all ages. Lee-on the-Solent seafront has a children’s play area, a skate park, seafront cafes and restaurants and plenty of places to get an ice cream! Stokes Bay seafront was voted one of the 10 best places for a picnic in the UK, plus there is an adventure golf course, children’s splash park, plus open spaces that are excellent for kite flying. Team Sport Go-Karting - www.team-sport.co.uk/gosport Planet Ice - www.planet-ice.co.uk/arena/gosport Monkey Bizness - www.monkey-bizness.co.uk Atlas Helicopters - www.helicopterdays.co.uk/portsmouth_tours.html Alver Valley & Wildgrounds - www.discovergosport.co.uk Gosport BMX Track - www.gosportbmx.co.uk Gosport Leisure Centre - www.gosportleisurecentre.co.uk Kayak Hire - www.dolphincharter.co.uk 10 Splash Park Exhilarating sailing For high octane excitement you can’t beat the Go-Karts at the indoor Team Sport’s Karting track. Fans of ‘Dancing on Ice’ should get their skates on, and head for ‘Planet Ice’ Rink right next door to the Gosport Leisure Park with its swimming pools, sports hall, health & fitness studio, dance studio and crèche/soft play area. If you like BMX then head for Gosport BMX Track which hosts regular races and events throughout the year. The kids can let off steam at ‘Monkey Bizness’ – a premier indoor multi-activity soft play centre catering for children up to 12 years of age. The sky’s the limit when you take to the air on a helicopter trip with Atlas Helicopters based at Daedalus in Lee-on-the-Solent. A 17th Century Village. Experience An historical re-enactment of daily life At “Little Woodham” Howe Rd Rowner, Gosport. PO13 8AB 11 Bus Route X5 from Fareham or Gosport 12 Attractions 1. Royal Navy Submarine Museum www.submarine- museum.co.uk Tel. 023 9251 0354 2. Holy Trinity Church www.holytrinitygosport.co.uk 3. Timespace Sundial www.discovergosport.co.uk 4. Gosport Ferry www.gosportferry.co.uk 5. Gosport Market (Tues & Sats) www.gosporttowncentre.co.uk 6. Discovery Centre www.hants.gov.uk/gdc Tel. 0300 555 1387 7. SEARCH www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/museum- search 8. Gosport Gallery www.hants.gov.uk/gosport-gallery Tel. 0300 555 1387 9. Waterfront Trail www.discovergosport.co.uk 10. Explosion www.explosion.org.uk Tel. 023 9250 5600 11. Splash Park www.discovergosport.co.uk 12. Solent Springs Adventure Golf Tel. 07973 309770 13. Stokes Bay www.discovergosport.co.uk 14. Diving Museum www.divingmuseum.co.uk 15. Alver Valley & Wildgrounds Nature Reserve Tel. 023 9258 8666 16. Gosport BMX Track www.gosportbmx.co.uk 17. 17th Century Village www.littlewoodham.org.uk 18. Fort Brockhurst www.english-heritage.org.uk 19. Planet Ice www.planet-ice.co.uk/arena/gosport Tel. 023 9251 1217 20. Gosport Leisure Centre www.placesforpeopleleisure.org/ centres/gosport-leisure-centre Tel: 02392 534950 21. Monkey Bizness www.monkey-bizness.co.uk Tel. 01329 239035 22. Team Sport Go-Karting www.team-sport.co.uk/gosport Tel. 0844 988 0000 23. Lee-on-the-Solent seafront 24. Hovercraft Museum www.hovercraft-museum.org (Some attractions are not open every day. Please check with the attraction direct or with the Tourist Information Centre tel. 023 9252 2944) 13 D A O E R LAK Y A W T E K PORTSMOUTH R A HARBOUR M D A O R T A E E E S E R L T G N S A N E E U Q D A D O R R K E R G A D P I R B M A C M RD MUSEU S RD RGE T EO G E