the waterfront city
visitportsmouth.co.uk
Ever wanted to get off the beaten track
Here in Portsmouth we are very proud of
and discover some of Portsmouth’s
our unrivalled naval and literary heritage.
secrets? With our help you can tour the
Our Historic Dockyard presents some of
city like a local and uncover some of the
the finest maritime heritage in the world,
city’s hidden gems.
making it a key feature of Portsmouth’s
waterfront and a definite ‘must-see’.
Eastney Beam Engine House is open the last weekend of every
Also learn more about the literary greats
month (excluding Dec). Tucked away in residential streets, this
attraction offers a fascinating glimpse into a Victorian engine house
that have graced the city over the years
and it’s James Watt beam engines.
and how their life in Portsmouth has
Experience the quiet life in Old Portsmouth with cobbled streets,
shaped their work.
the picturesque Camber Dock, traditional pubs and tucked-away
tearooms. Enjoy a quiet drink overlooking the harbour.
Many visitors still don’t know about the magnificent Spitbank Fort,
Discover more about Admiral Lord Nelson, Henry VIII, World War
a man-made island jutting out of the Solent. Take a short boat trip
Veterans and Portsmouth Dockyard workers at Portsmouth Historic
out to this impressive seafort to enjoy Sunday lunch and a
Dockyard. Learn about life on board three of the world’s most famous
historic tour.
warships ever built, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose.
Explore 800 years of the Royal Navy at the Royal Naval Museum and then
Make sure you visit us in September if you wish to see the real
complete the story by testing your own skill and brainpower at Action
behind-the-scenes Portsmouth. Heritage Open Days takes place
Stations. Take a leisurely 45-minute boat tour around Portsmouth
every year and gives exclusive access to archive collections and
Harbour and see the ships of the modern Royal Navy fleet in port.
unseen areas at venues such as the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
Historic Dockyard and the Square Tower.
Exciting times lie ahead for the Mary Rose, which will be housed in a
new museum from 2012. She’s due to be withdrawn from public view in
Did you know that Portsmouth is a two-cathedral city? Visit
Autumn 2009 but don’t worry; during the construction you can still enjoy
Portsmouth Cathedral (St Thomas’s) in Old Portsmouth to discover
a fascinating visit to the current Mary Rose Museum where the ship will
a seamless portrayal of the city’s history and the cathedral’s
be interpreted in new ways. Find out more about Henry VIII with a visit
understated beauty. Portsmouth’s Catholic Cathedral (St John’s)
to Southsea Castle, one of the fortifications constructed by the king to
offers a quiet space in the heart of the city and is a stunning
protect the country from invaders. Here Henry VIII stood and watched
example of 19th century French-Gothic style.
the Mary Rose tragically sink in 1545.
Despite being a bustling city, Portsmouth has plenty of open spaces
The city’s literary figures also form an important part of our vibrant
just waiting to be explored. Take a self-guided trail into Hilsea Lines
history. The great Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812, and
where you’ll find eighty hectares of space including enchanting
visitors can take a peek into his humble beginnings at the Charles Dickens
woodland, an ancient monument and brackish lakes. Or discover
Birthplace Museum. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Portsmouth when he
the city’s nature reserve at Farlington Marshes, a haven for wildlife
started his writing career, penning his first and second Sherlock Holmes
and an important site for migratory birds.
novels in the city. Find out more at ‘A Study in Sherlock: Uncovering the
Arthur Conan Doyle Collection’ at the City Museum and Records Office. 9