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Portsmouth Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Portsmouth

    The origins of Portsmouth lie in the early 12th Century with a man named Jean de Gisors, a rich Norman merchant and landowner In 1449 a group of seamen murdered the Bishop of Chichester after he failed to pay them their wages. This led to the entire city being excommunicated! This was lifted many years later in 1508 The first dry dock in Britain was built in Portsmouth in 1495 ...Read moreand the first ship to enter it was named The Sovereign. In 1561 Queen Elizabeth ordered the proceeds of the first state lottery to be used to construct further fortifications for the city. The Royal Naval College was built in 1729 and was used to train officers and cadets until 1872. Read less

  • 2. Now in Portsmouth

    Portsmouth is the second largest city in the county of Hampshire. The city remains an important naval base to this day and the Royal Marine Headquarters is situated there. The city has a population of just under 200,000 and has a higher population density than London.

  • 3. Events in Portsmouth

    Annual events in Portsmouth include: the Great South Run, a ten mile race that's a fun day for competitors and spectators alike, Portsmouth's kite Festival which is not only visually stunning but also offers visitors the chance to get involved and the Dragon Boat Race that combines both fun and excitement and raises a lot of money each year for local charities. Portsmouth is al...Read moreso home to the Multicultural Festival which celebrates the diversity of British life and showcases activities from cultures across the world and the Portsmouth Christmas Festival which gives visitors a chance to experience a Victorian Christmas as portrayed in Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol." Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Portsmouth

    Portsmouth dockyard is home to some of the nation's most important and historic vessels. These consist of The Mary Rose, The HMS Victory and The HMS Warrior. The Mary Rose was raised from the Solent in 1982 after sinking in 1545 and is the country's only surviving 16th Century Warship. The Victory of course was Horatio Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar 1805. The War...Read morerior which was constructed in 1860 was the world's first ironclad warship and is today filled with Victorian antiquities. Fort Nelson in the North of the city, was built in the 1860s under the instruction of Lord Palmerstone in an effort to increase the city's defences. Today it houses part of the Royal Armouries collection of artillery with over 350 guns and cannons. Charles Dickens, one of Britain's greatest authors, was born in Portsmouth and visitors to the city can travel to his birthplace. The location is known as 393 Old Commercial Road today and visitors also get the opportunity to see the Charles Dickens museum which is located nearby. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Portsmouth

    As well as Portsmouth's various attractions, visitors can experience the D Day Museum which is located near to the Southsea Castle. It was opened in 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of D Day, one of Europe's most important historical events. Portsmouth Golf Course is beautifully maintained and boasts a floodlit driving range and a well stocked golf shop. The nearby Farm...Read morehouse Pub provides excellent catering services for golfers who want to cap off their day with some top notch food. For children there is Pirate Pete's Indoor Play Centre, an entertaining and fun experience for children over the age of two, with seating available for adults. It includes two ball pits, a pirate ship and aerial walkways. Read less

  • 6. Business in Portsmouth

    Cascades Shopping Centre has a wide range of both high street and specialty brands and is open every day of the week. As well as shopping there are a variety of cafes and restaurants to ensure that nothing interrupts customers shopping experience. The market located on Portsmouth's main high street, Commercial Road, is one of the oldest in the country and dates back to 1194. As...Read more well as a dynamic range of goods, the market offers a unique atmosphere that heightens the shopping experience. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Portsmouth

    Along with the usual bus services and rail connections, Portsmouth also acts as a major sea hub and can be accessed from across the country. The closest Motorway to Portsmouth is the M275 which continues into the city as the A3.

  • 8. Entertainment in Portsmouth

    Portsmouth has a bustling nightlife with many pubs and clubs situated across the city. These include popular nightclubs such as Liquid. Portsmouth also has various playhouses including the New Theatre Royal and the Kings Theatre. Both of these reputable venues put on a variety of performances throughout the year as well as events for children during the summer months.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Portsmouth

    As well as the famous port, Portsmouth also has other landmarks that set it apart from other cities in the UK. The new Spinnaker Tower is the tallest accessible structure in the country outside of London and its unique design was chosen by the citizens of Portsmouth from a variety of different concepts. The structure looks especially stunning at night when it is lit up for the...Read more entire city to see. Portsmouth is one of the few cities to have two cathedrals, the Cathedral of St Thomas and the Cathedral of St John. St Thomas's is an Anglican place of worship whilst St John's is Catholic. Read less

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Portsmouth

    Both Portsmouth football club and the city itself are nicknamed "Pompey".

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