Portsmouth Travel Guide

Portsmouth is an island city on the coast of Southern England, and because of its sheltered location (The Isle of Wight protects it from the winds of the South and Portsdown hill protect it from the North). The weather is milder than other parts of England. The average daily temperature is 20°C during the summer months, falling to 12°C in winter. Rainfall is lower than the national average and snow is very rare the last big fall being 1982.

Portsmouth has daily Ferry crossings to France, Spain, Jersey and Guernsey. Crossings to the Isle of Wight are ever 30 minutes or so depending on how you want to go. The car ferry runs every 30 minutes, the catamaran runs every 20 and the Hovercraft runs every 15 minutes. The Solent has a reputation as one of the Worlds most popular sailing venues. During August each year you can see the boats racing during Cowes's week from the sea front at Southsea. Global Challenge 2004/2005 left from Portsmouth on Sunday 3rd October 2004, 12 identical 72ft ocean racing yachts sailed from Portsmouth. They will finish at Portsmouth on the 17th July 2005. If you like sailing you will love Portsmouth.

With its historic ships, castles, forts and museums, you can explore the heritage of Maritime England. At Portsmouth's Royal Dockyard - home of the Royal Navy for centuries displays three famous ships from the history of sea warfare. In 1545 Henry VIII's flagship the 'Mary Rose' sank before his eyes in Portsmouth Harbour on its way to fight the French. It was recovered from the seabed in 1982 and now you can see her for yourself at the Historic Dockyard as well as HMS Victory the flagship of Lord Nelson, see the spot where Nelson died. The Dockyard is also home to HMS Warrior, The Royal Naval Museum, the Dockyard Apprentice Exhibition and Action Stations.

From the Seafront in Southsea you can walk along the Millennium path, which takes you around Old Portsmouth and its fishing port, along to Gunwharf Quays where the old and the new come together. You can shop at over 85 designer outlets, eat at one of 20 or so bars and restaurants, or go to the cinema.

Other attractions in Portsmouth include Henry VIII Castle, Charles Dickens Birthplace, The Round Towers, D-Day Museum, The Pyramids, Fort Nelson, Royal Marines Museum, The Submarine museum, Portchester Castle, Port Solent, Continental Ferries, and many more.

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