Guidebook for Portsmouth

Natasha
Guidebook for Portsmouth

Food Scene

You literally are minute away from this road where there are a lot of fabulous restaurants and cafes and what is so unique about this small stretch of road is you will not find any big chains all local and all very different. A few restaurants you will come across down this road: Rancho Steak House - the best steaks I have tasted in a longtime I always have the Plato Argentino (sirloin & rump) meduim - so tender a MUST Cheese and Cheers, 6oz Burgers, Circolo Pizzeria, Steki Taverna, Algarves Grill, The Belle Isle, Yonkers, Dim Sum Bar,
Osborne Road
Osborne Road
You literally are minute away from this road where there are a lot of fabulous restaurants and cafes and what is so unique about this small stretch of road is you will not find any big chains all local and all very different. A few restaurants you will come across down this road: Rancho Steak House - the best steaks I have tasted in a longtime I always have the Plato Argentino (sirloin & rump) meduim - so tender a MUST Cheese and Cheers, 6oz Burgers, Circolo Pizzeria, Steki Taverna, Algarves Grill, The Belle Isle, Yonkers, Dim Sum Bar,
Another fabulous small road with quaint restaurants and shops. Recommendations: Truffles (french), Southsea's Pie and Vinyle (good for lunch), Mayfair Chinese and Monty's. - Directions from apartment walk down to the bottom of Ashburton, left on Kent Road cross the road pass or go in for a cocktail in Samphire on the corner and right of Samphire is Castle Road.
Castle Road
Castle Road
Another fabulous small road with quaint restaurants and shops. Recommendations: Truffles (french), Southsea's Pie and Vinyle (good for lunch), Mayfair Chinese and Monty's. - Directions from apartment walk down to the bottom of Ashburton, left on Kent Road cross the road pass or go in for a cocktail in Samphire on the corner and right of Samphire is Castle Road.

Shopping

This is a lovely little road, you will find a lot of independent shops and a couple of chain stores with many fabulous cafes which are ideal for brunch. - Again a few minuets away from where you will be staying
Marmion Road
Marmion Road
This is a lovely little road, you will find a lot of independent shops and a couple of chain stores with many fabulous cafes which are ideal for brunch. - Again a few minuets away from where you will be staying
Great place for shopping with the Outlet shops as Gunwharf Quays is home to over 90 premium retail outlet stores offering up to 60% off RRP. If you love to shop then there really is no better place than Gunwharf Quays; with famous brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Joules, Karen Millen, The White Company, Calvin Klein, All Saints etc.... - It is great walk you can either take scenic walk along the pier, through the fairground, into old Portsmouth, pass the fish market, pass or pop in to ABarBistro (amazing place to eat and fabulous wine) pass the Isle of wight ferries and into Gunwharf (I believe all you need to do is follow the Millennium Walkway). Or you can take a more direct route still though having to pass or pop into ABarBistro.
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Gunwharf Quays
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Great place for shopping with the Outlet shops as Gunwharf Quays is home to over 90 premium retail outlet stores offering up to 60% off RRP. If you love to shop then there really is no better place than Gunwharf Quays; with famous brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Joules, Karen Millen, The White Company, Calvin Klein, All Saints etc.... - It is great walk you can either take scenic walk along the pier, through the fairground, into old Portsmouth, pass the fish market, pass or pop in to ABarBistro (amazing place to eat and fabulous wine) pass the Isle of wight ferries and into Gunwharf (I believe all you need to do is follow the Millennium Walkway). Or you can take a more direct route still though having to pass or pop into ABarBistro.

Drinks & Nightlife

You will find all your normal chains here: Tiger Tiger, Bar 38, All Bar One etc.
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Gunwharf Quays Car Park
79 Gunwharf Rd
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You will find all your normal chains here: Tiger Tiger, Bar 38, All Bar One etc.
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eden - Portsmouth
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Liquid & Envy presents an unrivalled clubbing experience.
PRYZM
Stanhope Road
Liquid & Envy presents an unrivalled clubbing experience.

Sightseeing

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a whole day and is great with a family out you will see The Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, plus hop on the harbour tours which all makes an excellent way to experience the area's maritime history. - And not to mention all can be reached via waking from the apartment.
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Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
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Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a whole day and is great with a family out you will see The Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, plus hop on the harbour tours which all makes an excellent way to experience the area's maritime history. - And not to mention all can be reached via waking from the apartment.
Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum is Britain’s only museum dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. D-Day was a turning point in the Second World War, and a moment when the course of world events depended on the Allied troops taking part.
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D-dagens historia
Clarence Esplanade
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Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum is Britain’s only museum dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. D-Day was a turning point in the Second World War, and a moment when the course of world events depended on the Allied troops taking part.
Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain.
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Spinnaker Tower
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Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain.
About the Castle Southsea Castle was one in a series of forts constructed for King Henry VIII, in what was the most ambitious scheme of coastal defence since Roman times. The castle was built in great haste in 1544, prompted by Henry VIII's fears of a French attack on Portsmouth. It was said to have been designed by the King himself, incorporating the latest continental ideas on the lay-out of artillery forts. It was not long finished when on 18 July 1545, a French invasion fleet did approach Portsmouth and landed on the Isle of Wight. Henry VIII was at Southsea Castle when the Mary Rose sank next day.
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Southsea Castle
Clarence Esplanade
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About the Castle Southsea Castle was one in a series of forts constructed for King Henry VIII, in what was the most ambitious scheme of coastal defence since Roman times. The castle was built in great haste in 1544, prompted by Henry VIII's fears of a French attack on Portsmouth. It was said to have been designed by the King himself, incorporating the latest continental ideas on the lay-out of artillery forts. It was not long finished when on 18 July 1545, a French invasion fleet did approach Portsmouth and landed on the Isle of Wight. Henry VIII was at Southsea Castle when the Mary Rose sank next day.

Entertainment & Activities

Overlooking the busy Solent, Portsmouth's Blue Reef Aquarium takes visitors on the ultimate undersea safari. From the rich variety of British waters to the beauty of a tropical coral reef and more than 40 other displays - including a fantastic otter holt - the aquarium offers a fascinating window into the hidden world beneath the waves. At the aquarium's heart is a giant tropical reef tank with its own underwater, walk-through tunnel and home to a variety of tropical sharks and stingrays as well as hundreds of brightly-coloured reef fish. - Walking distance.
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Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth
Clarence Esplanade
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Overlooking the busy Solent, Portsmouth's Blue Reef Aquarium takes visitors on the ultimate undersea safari. From the rich variety of British waters to the beauty of a tropical coral reef and more than 40 other displays - including a fantastic otter holt - the aquarium offers a fascinating window into the hidden world beneath the waves. At the aquarium's heart is a giant tropical reef tank with its own underwater, walk-through tunnel and home to a variety of tropical sharks and stingrays as well as hundreds of brightly-coloured reef fish. - Walking distance.
Pyramids is one of Portsmouth’s largest entertainment, leisure and event complex’s located along Southsea Beach. The center boasts a variety of activities for all ages with fun leisure pools, funky flumes, wacky waves, pool inflatables and a three level soft play adventure world filled with mazes, climbing nets and ball pits. There is a spacious multipurpose gym with over 70 pieces of cardiovascular and resistance equipment and a weekly programme of fitness classes including Zumba, Yoga and Health Circuits. There is an in-house Spa offering an extensive range of beauty and relaxation treatments using Elemis products. The treatments are carried out by professional spa therapists with the adjoining Spa a great place to relax and unwind in the hot sauna, soothing steam room, salt grotto, refreshing monsoon shower, stimulating ice fountain and bubbly foot spas with heated seats.
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Pyramids Centre
Clarence Esplanade
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Pyramids is one of Portsmouth’s largest entertainment, leisure and event complex’s located along Southsea Beach. The center boasts a variety of activities for all ages with fun leisure pools, funky flumes, wacky waves, pool inflatables and a three level soft play adventure world filled with mazes, climbing nets and ball pits. There is a spacious multipurpose gym with over 70 pieces of cardiovascular and resistance equipment and a weekly programme of fitness classes including Zumba, Yoga and Health Circuits. There is an in-house Spa offering an extensive range of beauty and relaxation treatments using Elemis products. The treatments are carried out by professional spa therapists with the adjoining Spa a great place to relax and unwind in the hot sauna, soothing steam room, salt grotto, refreshing monsoon shower, stimulating ice fountain and bubbly foot spas with heated seats.
Clarence Pier Southsea is one of the largest amusement parks on the south coast and boasts all manner of amusements, rides and activities for all the family. The Arcades and Pirate Pete's Indoor Adventure Playground are open all year.
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Clarence Pier
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Clarence Pier Southsea is one of the largest amusement parks on the south coast and boasts all manner of amusements, rides and activities for all the family. The Arcades and Pirate Pete's Indoor Adventure Playground are open all year.
This one you will need a car, sorry. Flip Out is a huge arena of integrated interconnected trampolines, where you can spring, trick or flip off the walls on the largest trampolines out there. With a dedicated junior arena, foam pits, half pipe, wall running and slam-dunk basketball area, Flip Out want all of their ‘Flippers’ to have healthy and awesome fun through their massive trampolines, ball games and events. Flip Out is all about fun and is so much more than just bouncing. There will be ‘After Dark’ disco nights, a resident DJ, dance competitions, and general fitness classes including their Mini Flippers, Little Ninja’s and Flip Fit classes, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.
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Flip Out Trampoline Arena
Southampton Road
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This one you will need a car, sorry. Flip Out is a huge arena of integrated interconnected trampolines, where you can spring, trick or flip off the walls on the largest trampolines out there. With a dedicated junior arena, foam pits, half pipe, wall running and slam-dunk basketball area, Flip Out want all of their ‘Flippers’ to have healthy and awesome fun through their massive trampolines, ball games and events. Flip Out is all about fun and is so much more than just bouncing. There will be ‘After Dark’ disco nights, a resident DJ, dance competitions, and general fitness classes including their Mini Flippers, Little Ninja’s and Flip Fit classes, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.
PLEASE IGNORE THE ADDRESS IT IS LOCATED IN PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARDS IT IS SO SECRET AIRBNB CAN'T FIND IT. No.6 Cinema is based in the world famous Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is also home many attractions including HMS Victory, The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations. Located in the Grade II listed Boathouse 6 which was built in 1846, our 275-seat auditorium boasts one of the biggest screens on the South Coast! Considered in Portsmouth as quite the hidden treasure, No.6 Cinema follows a policy of showing world cinema’s latest and greatest releases, whilst also mixing an eclectic blend of cult classics into our ever-refreshing programme.
No.6 cafe
6 Highland Rd
PLEASE IGNORE THE ADDRESS IT IS LOCATED IN PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARDS IT IS SO SECRET AIRBNB CAN'T FIND IT. No.6 Cinema is based in the world famous Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is also home many attractions including HMS Victory, The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations. Located in the Grade II listed Boathouse 6 which was built in 1846, our 275-seat auditorium boasts one of the biggest screens on the South Coast! Considered in Portsmouth as quite the hidden treasure, No.6 Cinema follows a policy of showing world cinema’s latest and greatest releases, whilst also mixing an eclectic blend of cult classics into our ever-refreshing programme.
The only tennis club in Southsea, they are located at Castle Courts on Southsea Common, close to the seafront and opposite the D-Day Museum. Cost of Hire for non members are: £5.50 per hour for adults per court £3.50 per hour for juniors, seniors and students per court There are 8 macadam hard courts, 5 of which are floodlit for night play and a café, The Pavilion, is open daily to everyone.
Southsea Tennis Club
Clarence Esplanade
The only tennis club in Southsea, they are located at Castle Courts on Southsea Common, close to the seafront and opposite the D-Day Museum. Cost of Hire for non members are: £5.50 per hour for adults per court £3.50 per hour for juniors, seniors and students per court There are 8 macadam hard courts, 5 of which are floodlit for night play and a café, The Pavilion, is open daily to everyone.
PlayZone in Portsmouth is the biggest indoor play area and entertainment centre on the south coast - it's the play area that's bursting with family fun, kids play parties, fun things for rainy days - But you will need a car
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PlayZone
Northarbour Road
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PlayZone in Portsmouth is the biggest indoor play area and entertainment centre on the south coast - it's the play area that's bursting with family fun, kids play parties, fun things for rainy days - But you will need a car
State of the art casino showcasing traditional gaming, including American roulette and blackjack plus a 100 seat poker room, high-tech gaming equipment and a stylish restaurant. The Casino also features a private bar which offers live performances seven days a week from 8pm - 2am. Featuring its own in-house DJ and entertainer, guests can expect a range of entertainment in the form of rockaokes and gameshow style events.
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Grosvenor Casinos Portsmouth - Gunwharf Quays
Gunwharf Road
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State of the art casino showcasing traditional gaming, including American roulette and blackjack plus a 100 seat poker room, high-tech gaming equipment and a stylish restaurant. The Casino also features a private bar which offers live performances seven days a week from 8pm - 2am. Featuring its own in-house DJ and entertainer, guests can expect a range of entertainment in the form of rockaokes and gameshow style events.
The Real Escape is a unique live exit game. Locked in a room, you must solve hidden clues to find a way out. Getting in is easy. But together you will need to find a way out.
The Real Escape
Commercial Road
The Real Escape is a unique live exit game. Locked in a room, you must solve hidden clues to find a way out. Getting in is easy. But together you will need to find a way out.
Bowlplex boasts 26 computerised bowling lanes, offering bumpers and bowling ramps (if required) for the youngest The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill is the DJ and dance floor, with late License on Fridays and Saturdays. All the latest hits are played and everybody is encouraged to get up and have fun. If that is not enough to whet the appetite, Bowlplex also has Video World, which houses all the latest in arcade entertainment, as well as an American Poole Pit with 13 full size tables!
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Hollywood Bowl Portsmouth
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Bowlplex boasts 26 computerised bowling lanes, offering bumpers and bowling ramps (if required) for the youngest The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill is the DJ and dance floor, with late License on Fridays and Saturdays. All the latest hits are played and everybody is encouraged to get up and have fun. If that is not enough to whet the appetite, Bowlplex also has Video World, which houses all the latest in arcade entertainment, as well as an American Poole Pit with 13 full size tables!
Crazy golf, 18 hole putting greens and pitch 'n' putt set on Southsea Common
Southsea Minigolf
Avenue De Caen
Crazy golf, 18 hole putting greens and pitch 'n' putt set on Southsea Common

Arts & Culture

Small terraced house of 1805 in which the famous novelist was born and lived for a short time. Restored and furnished to illustrate middle-class taste of the time. - Yes a car is required.
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Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum
393 Old Commercial Rd
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Small terraced house of 1805 in which the famous novelist was born and lived for a short time. Restored and furnished to illustrate middle-class taste of the time. - Yes a car is required.

Getting Around

Dirt2Road - Bicycle Hire Facility on Southsea Seafront. They supply bicycles for hire including helmets and locks, at reasonable prices.
Dirt2Road
Dirt2Road - Bicycle Hire Facility on Southsea Seafront. They supply bicycles for hire including helmets and locks, at reasonable prices.
Hovertravel, the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in Europe, is the quickest way to reach the Isle of Wight. This fast service also has a frequent timetable starting from 6am and running throughout the day until 9pm. Hovertravel’s service is a speedy 10 minute flight across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Invented appropriately on the Island itself, the hovercraft remains one of the most iconic forms of transport, and travelling on the craft at 1.5 metres above the water and at speeds up to 30 knots is a unique experience not to be missed. As the Isle of Wight has some of the best sandy beaches close to Portsmouth, a day trip can be as simple as a day on the beach. Less than five minutes walk from the Hover Terminal at Ryde on the Island is Appley Beach, offering a classic seaside setting. Here the sand and sea provide all the entertainment necessary for a wonderful beach outing. If you want to experience some more of the Island then Southern Vectis, Island Line trains or even their own electric bikes from Hovercycles are options for getting around. Major attractions on the Island include Osborne House, Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and the Isle of Wight Zoo. Two very popular places to visit include Quarr Abbey, founded in 1132 and which is the site for the white stone used to build the Tower of London. There is also the Island's oldest tourist attraction; Shanklin Chine which is a picturesque leafy gorge, perfect for a tranquil moment of reflection as well as a great opportunity to see squirrels and rare plants against a backdrop of enchanting waterfalls.
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Hovertravel - Portsmouth to Isle of Wight Ferry
Clarence Esplanade
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Hovertravel, the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in Europe, is the quickest way to reach the Isle of Wight. This fast service also has a frequent timetable starting from 6am and running throughout the day until 9pm. Hovertravel’s service is a speedy 10 minute flight across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Invented appropriately on the Island itself, the hovercraft remains one of the most iconic forms of transport, and travelling on the craft at 1.5 metres above the water and at speeds up to 30 knots is a unique experience not to be missed. As the Isle of Wight has some of the best sandy beaches close to Portsmouth, a day trip can be as simple as a day on the beach. Less than five minutes walk from the Hover Terminal at Ryde on the Island is Appley Beach, offering a classic seaside setting. Here the sand and sea provide all the entertainment necessary for a wonderful beach outing. If you want to experience some more of the Island then Southern Vectis, Island Line trains or even their own electric bikes from Hovercycles are options for getting around. Major attractions on the Island include Osborne House, Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and the Isle of Wight Zoo. Two very popular places to visit include Quarr Abbey, founded in 1132 and which is the site for the white stone used to build the Tower of London. There is also the Island's oldest tourist attraction; Shanklin Chine which is a picturesque leafy gorge, perfect for a tranquil moment of reflection as well as a great opportunity to see squirrels and rare plants against a backdrop of enchanting waterfalls.