Seaside Adventure: A Day Trip to Portsmouth

Discover history, culture and seaside charm in Portsmouth.

22 April 2023

A trip to Portsmouth, United Kingdom as a tourist offers travelers a unique blend of history, culture, and seaside charm. Visitors can explore the famous naval heritage of the city through tours of the historic dockyard and the HMS Victory, while also enjoying fresh seafood at local restaurants and strolling along the scenic Southsea Beach. Other popular attractions include the Spinnaker Tower, the Mary Rose Museum, and the vibrant nightlife of Gunwharf Quays.

Day trip plan

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Day

Discovering Portsmouth's Maritime History and Coastal Delights

  • Start the day by heading to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you can explore iconic ships like HMS Warrior and HMS Victory.
  • Grab lunch at Pie & Vinyl, a quirky cafe that serves delicious pies and has a record store inside.
  • Take a stroll along Southsea Beach and check out the stunning Southsea Castle.
  • Head to the D-Day Story Museum, which chronicles the bravery of soldiers during the Normandy landings and their impact on Portsmouth.
  • Catch the sunset at Spinnaker Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbor.
  • For dinner, try out The Chambers, a cozy gastropub that serves hearty British fare.
  • Note: With only one day, it's tough to fit everything in. Adjust according to your interests!

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Portsmouth by plane is to fly into either Southampton Airport or Gatwick Airport, and take a train or bus to Portsmouth. From Southampton Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station, which takes about 30 minutes. From Gatwick Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station or a National Express bus to Portsmouth, which takes about 2 hours.

Car

The best way to get to Portsmouth by car is to take the A3(M) or M27, depending on where you are coming from. From London, take the M25, then the M3, and then the A3(M). From Southampton, take the M27 and then the A27 towards Portsmouth.

Train

The best way to get to Portsmouth by train is to take a direct train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station. You can catch a direct train from London Waterloo, which takes about 90 minutes. There are also direct trains from Southampton, Brighton, and Bristol.

Boat

The best way to get to Portsmouth by boat is to take a ferry from either Jersey, Guernsey, or St. Malo. There are also cruises that stop in Portsmouth, such as P&O Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Bus

The best way to get to Portsmouth by bus is to take a National Express coach from London Victoria Coach Station, which takes about 2 hours. There are also coaches from Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester.

More travel plans

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