Portsmouth, also known as the Waterfront Capital, offers a plethora of top-notch attractions, exhilarating activities, and a non-stop calendar of events. Come explore the only island city in the UK, where you can stroll along miles of coastline and delve into centuries of rich history.
There are plenty of places to eat, drink, and have exciting experiences in Portsmouth—with global cuisine, local produce, and a variety of outstanding spirits filling the streets. History buffs will enjoy the rich heritage of the area at one of the many fascinating museums, while nature-enthusiasts can relax by the waterside and partake in the myriad of family activities Portsmouth offers.
The 91 Most Popular Things To Do In Portsmouth, England
91. Fort Rowner
5.0 (1 review)
Location: Station House Military Road Gosport
90. Fort Grange
4.0 (1 review)
Location: QRXP+FP Gosport
89. Royal Military Police Museum
5.0 (2 reviews)
Location: Southwick Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9228-4372
Web Address: https://rhqrmp.org/rmp_museum.html
88. Stokes Bay Road
4.4 (5 reviews)
Credit: Des Morris, License, Flickr
87. Emsworth Museum
4.8 (8 reviews)
Location: 10b North Street Emsworth
Tel: 1243-378091
Web Address: http://emsworthmuseum.org.uk/
86. Clip ‘N Climb Portsmouth
4.1 (9 reviews)
Credit: Clip ‘N Climb Portsmouth, Google Maps
Location: Mountbatten Centre Alexandra Park Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9320-0401
Web Address: https://bhliveactive.org.uk/clipnclimb/
85. Priory Bay
4.9 (10 reviews)
Credit: donald macleod, Google Maps
84. Victoria Pier
4.6 (11 reviews)
Location: Portsmouth
83. Boathouse 4
4.7 (12 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Main Road Portsea Portsmouth
82. Horse Sand Fort
4.4 (14 reviews)
Credit: Pymouss, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: United Kingdom
81. Seagrove Bay
4.9 (18 reviews)
Credit: Chris Pearson, Google Maps
80. Southwick Priory
4.1 (26 reviews)
Credit: Anguskirk, License, Flickr
Location: Priory Road Southwick Portsmouth Fareham
Web Address: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/southwick-priory/
79. Eastney Engine Houses
4.8 (27 reviews)
Credit: Keith Brady, Google Maps
Location: 201 203 Henderson Road Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9282-6722
Web Address: http://portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/museum-service/Eastney-Beam-Engine-House
78. The WW1 Remembrance Centre
4.9 (45 reviews)
Location: Bastion 6 Airport Service Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9400-7775
77. Stokes Bay
4.6 (47 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
76. Gosport Discovery Centre
4.4 (52 reviews)
Credit: Ian Cruchley, Google Maps
Location: High Street Gosport
Web Address: https://hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/libraryfinder/gosport
75. Portsdown Hill
4.6 (60 reviews)
Credit: Lewis Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
74. Bembridge Harbour
4.3 (63 reviews)
Location: Embankment Road Bembridge
73. Whale Island
4.4 (75 reviews)
Credit: Chris Morgan, License, Wikimedia commons
72. Thorney Island
4.7 (78 reviews)
Credit: Richard Sandells, Google Maps
71. Priddy’s Hard
4.4 (81 reviews)
Location: Gosport
70. Blackbrook Park Play Area
4.2 (83 reviews)
Location: Blackbrook Road Fareham
69. HMS M.33
4.7 (89 reviews)
Credit: Dogboy, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Main Road HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9272-7582
Web Address: http://historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attractions/attractions/hms-m33
68. Wildgrounds Nature Reserve
4.7 (93 reviews)
Credit: Sally Leader, Google Maps
Location: Little Woodham Ln Gosport Little Woodham Ln Gosport
Tel: 23-9258-8666
Web Address: https://gosport.gov.uk/article/1352/Wildgrounds
67. Westbury Manor Museum
4.5 (98 reviews)
Credit: Westbury Manor Museum, Google Maps
Location: Westbury Manor 84 West Street Fareham
Tel: 1329-822063
Web Address: https://hampshireculture.org.uk/westbury-manor-museum
66. Aspex
4.5 (100 reviews)
Credit: Hassocks5489, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: The Vulcan Building Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9277-8080
Web Address: http://aspex.org.uk/
65. Exploria
3.8 (101 reviews)
Location: Pyramids Centre Clarence Esplanade Southsea
Tel: 23-9320-0330
Web Address: http://exploria.org.uk/
64. Portsmouth Harbour
4.6 (110 reviews)
Credit: ITookSomePhotos, License, Wikimedia commons
63. HMS Alliance
4.7 (113 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: The Solent Haslar Road Gosport
Tel: 23-9251-0354
Web Address: http://historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attractions/off-site-attractions/hms-alliance
62. Southwick House
4.7 (134 reviews)
Credit: Anguskirk, License, Flickr
Location: Southwick Portsmouth
61. RNLI Bembridge Lifeboat Station
4.7 (149 reviews)
Location: Lane End Road Bembridge
Tel: 1983-875127
Web Address: http://bembridgelifeboat.org.uk/
60. Ashcroft Arts Centre
4.5 (150 reviews)
Credit: Ashcroft Arts Centre, Google Maps
Location: Osborn Road Fareham
Tel: 1329-223100
Web Address: https://ashcroft.org.uk/
59. Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
4.2 (153 reviews)
Credit: Simon Burchell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 393 Old Commercial Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9282-1879
Web Address: https://charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/
58. Pirates and Princesses indoor play area
4.0 (177 reviews)
Location: Golden Horseshoe Arcade Clarence Pier Above Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9286-4789
Web Address: https://clarencepier.co.uk/indoor-play-area/
57. The Diving Museum
4.4 (177 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: No 2 Battery Streetokes Bay Road Gosport
Tel: 23-9260-2260
Web Address: https://divingmuseum.co.uk/
56. Fort Blockhouse
3.9 (182 reviews)
Location: Gosport
55. Fort Brockhurst
4.4 (196 reviews)
Credit: Ben Brooksbank, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Gunners Way Gosport
Tel: 23-9258-1059
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/fort-brockhurst/
54. Little Woodham Living History Village
4.6 (232 reviews)
Credit: Dave Woolley, Google Maps
Location: Grange Farm House Barrington Cl Howe Road Gosport
Tel: 7494-252802
Web Address: http://littlewoodham.org.uk/
53. Planet Ice Gosport
3.8 (260 reviews)
Credit: Sasha Beresford, Google Maps
Location: Fareham Road Gosport
Tel: 23-9251-1217
Web Address: http://planet-ice.co.uk/
52. Southsea Skatepark
4.6 (262 reviews)
Credit: N Chadwick, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Clarence Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9229-5360
Web Address: http://southseaskatepark.com/
51. Royal Garrison Church
4.5 (278 reviews)
Credit: Peter Trimming, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Portsmouth
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/royal-garrison-church-portsmouth/
50. St Mary’s Church
4.6 (293 reviews)
Credit: Lewis Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fratton Road Fratton Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9281-4444
Web Address: http://portseaparish.co.uk/
49. St John’s Cathedral
4.7 (300 reviews)
Credit: TimSC, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Bishop Crispian Way Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9282-6170
Web Address: http://portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk/
48. Hill Head Beach
4.5 (302 reviews)
47. Action Stations
4.4 (334 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 19 College Road HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9289-3338
Web Address: https://historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attractions/attractions/action-stations
46. The Hinge at East Head Spit
4.7 (336 reviews)
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/east-head
45. Meon Valley Trail
4.7 (348 reviews)
Location: Wickham Fareham
Web Address: https://hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/finder/meonvalleytrail
44. Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve
4.6 (362 reviews)
Credit: Hugh Venables, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Solent Way Farlington Portsmouth
Tel: 1489-774400
Web Address: https://hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/farlington-marshes-nature-reserve
43. Fort Purbrook
4.6 (365 reviews)
Credit: Simon Burchell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Peter Ashley Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9232-1223
Web Address: https://peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk/
42. Havant Park
4.2 (380 reviews)
Credit: Hassocks5489, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Havant
Tel: 23-9244-6019
Web Address: https://havant.gov.uk/play-parks-and-open-spaces
41. Hovercraft Museum
4.5 (391 reviews)
Credit: Hovercraft Museum, Google Maps
Location: The Hovercraft Museum Daedalus Site Seafront Gate Marine Parade W Lee on the Solent
Tel: 23-9255-2090
Web Address: http://hovercraft-museum.org/
40. National Trust – East Head
4.8 (436 reviews)
Location: Coastguard Ln West Wittering Chichester
Tel: 1243-814730
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/east-head/
39. Portsmouth Cathedral
4.6 (495 reviews)
Credit: Diliff, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: High Street Old Portsmouth Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9282-3300
Web Address: https://portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/
38. Cumberland House Natural History Museum
4.4 (551 reviews)
Credit: Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Google Maps
Location: Cumberland House Natural History Museum Eastern Parade Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9281-5276
Web Address: https://portsmouthnaturalhistory.co.uk/
37. Grosvenor Casino
4.0 (556 reviews)
Credit: Grosvenor Casino, Google Maps
Location: Central Bldg Gunwharf Quays L5 Central Square South Building Gunwharf Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9273-2277
Web Address: https://grosvenorcasinos.com/local-casinos/portsmouth-gunwharf-quays
36. Rock Up
4.4 (576 reviews)
Credit: Crawford, Mary Caroline,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Whiteley Shopping Centre Whiteley Wy Whiteley Fareham
Tel: 1489-232324
Web Address: http://rock-up.co.uk/whiteley
35. Stansted Park
4.6 (577 reviews)
Credit: Stansted Park, Google Maps
Location: Stansted House Rowland’s Castle
Tel: 23-9241-2265
Web Address: http://stanstedpark.co.uk/
34. Titchfield Abbey
4.5 (605 reviews)
Location: Mill Ln Titchfield Catisfield
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/titchfield-abbey/
33. Southsea Model Village
4.4 (611 reviews)
Credit: Southsea Model Village, Google Maps
Location: Lumps Fort Eastney Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9275-1443
Web Address: https://southseamodelvillage.biz/
32. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
4.4 (625 reviews)
Location: Museum Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9283-4779
Web Address: https://portsmouthmuseum.co.uk/
31. Havant Leisure Centre
4.1 (637 reviews)
Credit: Alex Dimitriou, Google Maps
Location: Leisure Centre Civic Centre Road Havant
Tel: 23-9247-6026
Web Address: http://horizonlc.com/
30. Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
4.5 (749 reviews)
Location: Priddys Hard Gosport
Tel: 23-9250-5600
Web Address: https://nmrn.org.uk/our-museum/explosion
29. TeamSport Go Karting Gosport
4.6 (812 reviews)
Credit: TeamSport Go Karting Gosport, Google Maps
Location: 166 Fareham Road Gosport
Tel: 1252-732300
Web Address: https://team-sport.co.uk/gosport/
28. Round Tower
4.6 (951 reviews)
Credit: Margaret Anne Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Broad Street Old Portsmouth Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9282-7261
Web Address: https://visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/round-tower-p267631
27. PlayZone
4.1 (1,030 reviews)
Location: Unit A4 Oak Park Estate Northarbour Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9237-9999
Web Address: http://theplayzone.co.uk/playzone-portsmouth/portsmouth-playzone.htm
26. Eastney Beach
4.4 (1,046 reviews)
Credit: Tim Sheerman-Chase, License, Wikimedia commons
25. Baffins Pond
4.5 (1,061 reviews)
Credit: Barry Shimmon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 104 Tangier Road Portsmouth
Web Address: https://portsmouth.gov.uk/services/leisure/parks/baffins-pond-and-tangier-field/
24. Southsea Rock Gardens
4.5 (1,069 reviews)
Credit: Paul Gillett, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 800-085-3840
Web Address: http://visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/rock-gardens-p602191
23. Lee on the Solent beach
4.5 (1,150 reviews)
Credit: Lou Northcott, Google Maps
22. Alver Valley Country Park
4.5 (1,162 reviews)
Credit: Leanne Dempsey, Google Maps
Location: Cherque Way Lee on the Solent
Tel: 23-9258-4242
Web Address: https://gosport.gov.uk/article/1342/The-Alver-Valley-Country-Park
21. Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve
4.6 (1,198 reviews)
Location: Cliff Road Fareham
Tel: 1329-662145
Web Address: https://hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/titchfield
20. Mountbatten Centre
4.0 (1,246 reviews)
Credit: Barry Shimmon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Alex Way Hilsea Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9320-0401
Web Address: https://bhliveactive.org.uk/centres/mountbatten-leisure-centre/
19. Hollywood Bowl Portsmouth
4.2 (1,437 reviews)
Credit: Hollywood Bowl Portsmouth, Google Maps
Location: Portsmouth
Tel: 844-477-0494
Web Address: http://hollywoodbowl.co.uk/portsmouth
18. Ryde Beach
4.6 (1,507 reviews)
Credit: Lewis Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://iwight.com/
17. Victoria Park
4.4 (1,622 reviews)
Credit: Paul Gillett, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3 Streetanhope Road Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9282-2251
Web Address: https://victoriaparkportsmouth.org.uk/
16. Staunton Farm
4.6 (2,087 reviews)
Credit: Henrry Pires, Google Maps
Location: Middle Park Way Havant
Tel: 23-9245-3405
Web Address: https://hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/staunton
15. The Royal Navy Submarine Museum
4.7 (2,248 reviews)
Location: Haslar Jetty Rd. Gosport
Tel: 23-9251-0354
Web Address: https://nmrn.org.uk/submarine-museum
14. Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson
4.7 (2,808 reviews)
Credit: Gaius Cornelius, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fort Nelson Portsdown Hill Road Portchester Portsmouth Fareham
Tel: 1329-233734
Web Address: https://royalarmouries.org/venue/fort-nelson/
13. Canoe Lake
4.5 (3,010 reviews)
Credit: Barry Shimmon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Clarence Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9282-2251
Web Address: http://visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/canoe-lake-p276461
12. Clarence Pier
4.2 (3,656 reviews)
Location: Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Web Address: http://clarencepier.co.uk/
11. Southsea Common
4.6 (3,701 reviews)
Credit: Peter Trimming, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9282-8112
Web Address: https://visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/southsea-common-p595201
10. Portchester Castle
4.6 (3,834 reviews)
Credit: ITookSomePhotos, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Church Ln Portchester Fareham
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portchester-castle/
9. South Parade Pier
4.3 (4,102 reviews)
Credit: Paul Gillett, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: S Parade Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Web Address: http://southparadepier.net/
Our Top picks
8. National Museum of the Royal Navy
4.7 (720 reviews)
Location: HM Naval Base (PP66) HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9289-1370
Web Address: http://nmrn.org.uk/
7. HMS Warrior
4.8 (1,219 reviews)
Credit: ITookSomePhotos, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Victory Gate Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9277-8600
Web Address: https://hmswarrior.org/
6. The D-Day Story
4.6 (1,661 reviews)
Credit: ITookSomePhotos, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Clarence Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9288-2555
Web Address: https://theddaystory.com/
5. Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth
3.8 (2,324 reviews)
Credit: Colin Babb, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Clarence Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth Southsea
Tel: 23-9287-5222
Web Address: http://bluereefaquarium.co.uk/portsmouth
4. Mary Rose Museum
4.8 (4,538 reviews)
Credit: Hassocks5489, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Main Road HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9281-2931
Web Address: https://maryrose.org/
3. Spinnaker Tower
4.5 (5,745 reviews)
Credit: M E Barnett, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Portsmouth
Tel: 1904-261262
Web Address: https://spinnakertower.co.uk/
2. HMS Victory
4.8 (5,913 reviews)
Credit: Lewis Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Main Road HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9283-9766
Web Address: https://nmrn.org.uk/hms-victory/
1. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
4.7 (12,629 reviews)
Credit: Colin Smith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Victory Gate HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Tel: 23-9283-9766
Web Address: https://historicdockyard.co.uk/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Portsmouth, England! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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