Discovering Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight

For those with an interest in maritime history, few destinations in the UK can really compete with Portsmouth. It played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s seafaring fortunes, right through the Napoleonic period to the Second World War. Of course, to really understand Portsmouth, you’ll have to also visit the island directly to the south: the famous Isle of Wight.

If you’re planning a trip to this part of the country, there are a number of attractions worth considering.

Portsmouth: A Must for Boat Enthusiasts

There are so many boat-related exhibitions and attractions in Portsmouth that it might be difficult to cram them into a single trip.

The maritime heart of the town is the Historic Dockyard. Here, you’ll find the incredible Mary Rose Museum, where visitors are afforded a close-up look at what remains of Henry VIII’s favourite ship.

Then there’s the rather more intact HMS Victory, which was the flagship of Lord Nelson’s fleet. There’s no better insight into what life was like for a sailor in the Georgian period – and you might even benefit from the insight of Captain Hardy, who is able to impart plenty of maritime wisdom and swashbuckling stories.

If you’d like to visit multiple attractions, you might buy your tickets to the Historic Dockyard all at once. In some cases, you’ll be able to come back as many times as you like over a year, which is great for repeat visitors.

For a view over the entire city, you’ll want to visit the Spinnaker Tower. Then there’s the D-Day story, which is a museum that provides a peerless glimpse into how this pivotal operation was planned and executed.

If you’d like a break from history, then a visit to Gunwharf Quays might be in order. This is a waterfront shopping centre offering a range of cafes, restaurants and discount retailers.

Portsmouth is an extremely well-connected coastal city, with excellent train links to the rest of the country. Planning your visit, therefore, needn’t be stressful.

The Isle of Wight

You can extend your break in Portsmouth by taking a ferry over to Fishbourne, on the Isle of Wight. There’s a lot to do on the island, especially if you decide to make the trip during the legendary Cowes regatta. You’ll be able to see lots of races in the daytime, and then enjoy music in the evening.

From Headon Warren, you’ll be able to enjoy amazing panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. Then there are the caves of Freshwater Bay, and the meadows and woodland of Newtown Creek, and the ancient ‘Dragon’ oak tree over in Brighstone. You could easily spend a week on the island without uncovering everything – and so you’ll want to plan any short trips thoroughly, to pack everything in!