Online Information for Backpackers about Portsmouth!

Portsmouth is perhaps one of Britain’s ‘under-estimated’ cities. In reality, Portsmouth has an awful lot to offer - it just chooses not to boast about it too much. And you don't get much more significant than Portsmouth when it comes to naval and maritime history.

A real appeal of Portsmouth is the cocktail of attractions, entertainment and sea views. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafes, numerous maritime museums and famous war ships, plus some stunning attractions such as the 500ft Spinnaker Tower.

But, what makes Portsmouth stand out from other cities, is the water! Everything is on the ocean’s doorstep. Whether you’re enjoying a coffee, a cocktail, a shop-window browse or a 500 foot climb, the sea views are always a glance away.

With the sun glistening off the harbour, Portsmouth can rival any city for sheer, unadulterated beauty.

by Luke Bell

gunwharf quays

An award winning conversion of a former naval storehouse, Gunwharf Quays is a recently built multi-plex just a few minutes walk from Portsmouth's historic dockyard and harbour. There are shops galore with over 95 designer outlets, a plenitude of bars and restaurants, comedy clubs, bowling alleys, nightclubs and cinemas as well as regular art exhibitions and a top class health and fitness centre. In keeping with the rest of Portsmouth, the multiplicity of entertainment on offer here is accompanied by spectacular sea views across the harbour.

The multi-plex also plays host to a full calendar of events. Be sure to check out the 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race, offshore at Gunwharf Quays from June 18th-21st. The Food Festival offers all manner of gastronomic delights from the June 27th-29th. Extreme 2008 hosts freestyle BMXing, Street Dance and Street Art on 19th and 20th July, and the “Rather Unusual Gift Fair” runs throughout August offering a super abundance of...well... unusual gifts.

by Luke Bell

Did you know?...

The very first Sherlock Holmes novel was written in Southsea by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle