Portsea Island – Guide To Beautiful Portsmouth

 

In my last post I shared shots taken while exploring the Spitbank Fort, a man-made Island off the coast of Portsea Island. Before heading out to the fort I took some time to visit some of the old hangouts when I lived in Portsmouth. Noted for being UK’s only island city as it’s mostly on Portsea Island. Home to more than two hundred thousand people, its easy to forget that its an island but it’s separated from the mainland via a small channel know as Portsbridge Creek.

 

 

Portsmouth is also home to the Spinnaker tower, a 170-meter landmark tower with a similar design to Burj Al Arab. If you follow my Instagram you would have seen me sky walking a good 100 meter plus high up, on see-through glass!  You if you have a fear for heights then it might not be your thing as a few people were too scared to even be near the glass while on the viewing deck.

 

A waste of the £8 entry if you ask me. If that’s not enough of an adventure for you, then you can try out the abseiling on the tower, held during summer months. You have to sign up early though as the places fill fast. It appears I am not the only one who gets off on climbing things. I will have to wait until next year for that challenge.

 

It was like being at home again, revisiting the little-hidden spots that visitors coming to Portsmouth never make it to. Taking in the views from old castles on the Southsea, sipping coffee from Gunwharf Quays which is littered with coffee shops, restaurants and designer outlets, with sea views to boot. Thankfully this was not a weekend for retail therapy and one for just relaxing and taking in the surroundings.

 

Gunwharf Quays never fails, as this is where everyone flocks to, not just for shopping but for an evening on the town. If shopping is not your thing and you love a bit of history then there is plenty for you. Portsmouth played an important role in the preparation for D-Day. With both General Eisenhower, US 34th president and UK’s most well know General, Field Marshall Montgomery all coming to this side of the global to oversee preparations for war were huge.  It still has a significant naval port and home to famous worships including HMS Warrior, Mary Rose and Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory.

 

Portsmouth still holds a naval base and walking along the coastline of the seafront you will catch a glimpse of remaining cannon artillery, D-Day museums and many of the warships mentioned are in clear view from the habour.

 

We drove to Portsmouth but getting there by train is easy from London as it’s only an hour and fifteen minutes away. You can also get to Portsmouth via Southampton. With the train stopping in the town center and on the habour, it makes it easy to get to Gunwharf Quays. While in Portsmouth you can also catch the ferry to Isle of Wight. Getting to Isle of Wight from Portsmouth can be done by ferry or hovercraft. For cool things to do in the Isle of Wight check out the linked blog. Another easy trip from Portsmouth is France from the frequent ferries leaving the ports.

 

 

 

So are you brave enough for the Sky Walk experience?