Portsmouth, England.

Portsmouth is situated mainly on Portsea Island, the county of Hampshire, at the south-east of England in the United Kingdom. Portsbridge Creek separates Portsea Island from the mainland. Since it was dredged again in the 1960s, it is still navigable by small boats. Portsmouth extends over to the mainland in the north. Several districts from Bedhampton to Portchester are considered to belong to the city of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is connected to the mainland by only three roads: London Road, once the main route to the English capital, Eastern Road with a speed limit of 50mph and the M275 motorway. The motorway leads all the way down, next to the city centre and to what used to be the Continental Ferry Port, now named Portsmouth International Port. From a predominantly dockyard and navy background Portsmouth is moving towards a bright seaside resort with a rich history.

History and Trade

Due to its location at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth has always been home of the Royal Navy. The navy and the dockyard has always provided jobs and income for the city.

Historic buildings stand witness for Portsmouth’s rich history. The city was well-known to all british monarchs. In fact, Henry VIII had not just built Southsea Castle, he also watched as his flagship, the Mary Rose, found it’s end beneath the waves of the Solent. The ship has been lifted from the sea, and it found a new home at the Mary Rose Museum inside the Historic Dockyard.

Several forts and defence lines built on Portsdown Hill and along Portsbridge Creek for defence against a French invasion. Since they were rendered useless very quickly by advancement in technology, locals dubbed them as "Palmerston’s Follies". Some of these forts are visitable, as is the Fort Nelson, also home for the Royal Armouries. Fort Southwick however is being converted to house luxury apartments.

Culture in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has also a cultural history: several writers have lived here. Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth's Mile End district in a Victorian house; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle practised medicine here while writing Sherlock Holmes's first adventures; and HG Wells once worked at a drapers shop in Kings Road.

Shopping in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has two shopping malls: one of them is situated in the town centre, along the pedestrian area of the Commercial Road. It has a huge parking space at the back. The second mall is at Gunwharf Quays. Several shops, retail outlets and a prize winning underground car park make it a very popular shopping destination. Other shops are to be found at Albert Road in Southsea, London Road in North End or High street in Cosham. Brand name supermarkets are positioned strategically around the city.

Restaurants

Portsmouth has a few main areas for restaurants. Two shopping malls at Gunwharf and the Cascades in the City Centre are surrounded by mainly big name restaurants that belong to national or international chains. For some of the real taste of local cuisine one the best bet is to find a nice place in Southsea or North End. Albert Road definitely needs to be mentioned here, not just for its restaurants and eateries, but for the bars and a selection of true english pubs, that all serve food as well. Several kebab shops, pizza places and other fast food outlets serve until late at night.

For a more exquisite taste and even more choice, Osborn Road and Palmerston Road are the places to go. Fewer party places, but more eateries with a few cafes and pubs makes this a good choice for an entertaining night out. There is a lot of information on where to go out in Portsmouth at the Portsmouth Guide. You can find places to stay and current news and events at the site.

Portsmouth B&B

Bed & Breakfasts are to be found in Portsmouth predominantly in the Southsea area. Quite a few of them can be found along Festing Road and then some are along the "Parades" next to the seafront and Southsea Common.