Overview:
Fans of maritime and naval history will have plenty to keep them occupied, but even if you don't know your bow from stern Portsmouth is an interesting little town with plenty of good eating and drinking to be had in this condensed city. Albert road offering a number of cool and quirky venues were skinny ties, slim fit jeans and retro styling is a thing of the norm. To add to the maritime culture and history a notable resident was the one and only Charles Dickens who was born in the city.
Getting around:
A small, compact city that's easy to walk around. With areas that are pretty well self contained with places to eat and bars, for example, Palmerston road and its surroundings, also the area surrounding the Student Union has a lot of pubs to cater for its growing student population. However if walking isn’t your thing there are buses for £3.60 you can travel on them the whole day. There is also a large fleet of taxi’s that will carry you for a small fee across to the different hot spots.
Must See/Must Do
• View the city from the top of the Spinnaker Tower, the most recognisable building on Portsmouth's skyline.
• An undersea safari at the Blue Reef Aquarium
• Take a stroll along the Renaissance Trail's self-guided walk.
• Have a night on the town at Gunwharf Quays
• Take the waterbus around the harbour and main points of interest.
• No visit is complete without a tour of the HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
History and Culture
A port of military importance for hundreds of years, Portsmouth was the launching point for Admiral Nelson and the fleet he led to victory at the battle of Trafalgar. It was bombed during both World Wars and post-war redevelopment led to some particularly ugly architecture. Recent redevelopment of waterfront areas, particularly Gunwharf Quays, have given the city a more aesthetically-pleasing persona.
Nightlife:
As previously said Portsmouth has a number of sub areas which can all be used as part of a pub crawl or can be a night out in their own right. A Gunwharf quay is the flagship of these with a number of plush wine bars and large clubbing venues. Gunwharf quays is the most exclusive area with a casino and a large amount of restaurants housed within the new development. The only problem with this area is that you will pay over the odds especially on the weekends away from student’s nights. The nightclubs on offer are Tiger Tiger and Highlights. Guildhall walk is also a good night out for the more cheap and cheerful among us, with a large selection of mid range bars some of which are a little rough and ready. For those who love some 80’s classics head to Babylon!
Eating and Drinking:
There are a lot of places to eat in Portsmouth with the nicest chain restaurants found within Gunwharf quays. Bamboo on Palmertson road offers oriental cuisine and a large selection of curry houses are on offer all along Elm grove and Albert road. With the best restaurant with live music in our opinion is Rosies Vineyard on elm grove.
Sport:
Fratton Park is the home of Portsmouth football, with the bars along Guildhall walk especially busy from the overflow from the football stadium. Also available for a good evening out is the Dogs that is located just outside the city and provides a good venue to try and win some money and have a few drinks with a larger group.