Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Portsmouth?

Portsmouth is on England's south coast, in between Chichester, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. The city is itself an island, thanks to the narrow Portsea Creek separating it from the mainland. This makes it the UK's only island city.

Where is Southsea?

Southsea is one of Portsmouth's main tourist hotspots - and has been for some decades. It's situated on the southern tip of Portsea Island, right in the middle. Within Southsea you'll find hotels, pubs, bars and guest houses, as well as beaches and the 50-acre Common.

What county is Portsmouth in?

Portsmouth is in Hampshire.

How to get to Portsmouth

Getting to Portsmouth is easy by road, rail or even sea. The M27 motorway runs past the top of the city, providing easy access to roads that take you to Southampton, Brighton, London and beyond. Portsmouth is also on a number of main rail lines, meaning there are direct services to and from London, Cardiff, Winchester, Southampton, Brighton, Chichester, Gatwick Airport and all points in-between. There's also the international ferry port with regular services to Cherbourg, Le Havre, Santander and more. Visitors heading to and from the Isle of Wight are also blessed with choice, as there's the car ferry, Fastcat or Hovercraft.

How far is Portsmouth from London?

Portsmouth is 70 miles from London - a journey which can be completed in under two hours whether you're driving or taking the train. Fast services between Portsmouth Harbour and London Waterloo run at just 1:30.

What's on in Portsmouth?

The city has a huge spectrum of events running throughout the year, everything from the huge Victorious Festival to tiny art installations. We've hosted America's Cup World Series racing on the water, and have a world-leading museum collection dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - creator of Sherlock Holmes.

What to do in Portsmouth

As we've been named 'city of museums', that's a good place to start. You can see the home where Charles Dickens was born, take in centuries of naval history at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, or visit the castle King Henry VIII helped design and from which he saw the Mary Rose tragically sink. You can also grab a designer bargain at Gunwharf Quays, or take in the 23-mile views from the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

Where to stay in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has big hotel names in the form of Hilton, Holiday Inn, Premier Inn and Ibis - among others. There's also a rich independent culture, with a number of smaller boutique hotels and B&Bs for those seeking the personal touch.

Where to eat in Portsmouth

You're certain to not go hungry on a visit to Portsmouth. Gunwharf Quays has a number of big name brands, serving cuisine from all over the world at its unique waterfront location. Over at Old Portsmouth there are highly rated pubs offering British classics alongside a great drinks selection. Elsewhere, the Osborne/Palmerston Road area has a wealth of independent eateries, whilst Albert Road is the best place for a good curry.