The Best Portsmouth Attractions & Activities

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a maritime heritage site home to HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose. With museums, exhibitions, and harbour tours, it showcases Britain’s naval history in an immersive waterfront setting.

The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth displays Henry VIII’s warship, raised from the Solent after over 400 years. Showcasing the preserved hull and thousands of Tudor artefacts, it offers a fascinating glimpse into 16th-century naval life and history.

The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth is a 170-metre landmark shaped like a sail, offering panoramic views across the Solent, Isle of Wight, and city. With glass floor panels and sky-high experiences, it’s a highlight of the waterfront skyline.

The D-Day Story in Portsmouth is a museum dedicated to the Normandy landings of 1944. Featuring personal accounts, artefacts, and the 83-metre Overlord Embroidery, it tells the story of courage, planning, and sacrifice behind D-Day.

The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth preserves the modest home where the author was born in 1812. It displays rare editions, manuscripts, and personal items, offering insight into the early life of the literary great.

Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth is a waterfront outlet shopping centre with over 90 stores, restaurants, bars, and a cinema. Overlooked by the Spinnaker Tower, it combines designer bargains with vibrant dining and harbour views.