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Portsea Island – Guide To Beautiful Portsmouth

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Spinnaker tower, a 170-meter landmark tower PORTSMOUTH - Portsea Island
 
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.
 

Portsea Island | Places to check out

 

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.
 

Where to Stay In Portsmouth

 



Booking.com

 
 
So are you brave enough for the Sky Walk experience?

Spinnaker tower, a 170-meter landmark tower - Sky View
Spinnaker tower, Portsea Island
Portsea Island
 
Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Portsea Island - Portsmouth - Spinnaker Tower -
Portsea Island
Portsea Island - War Memorial
Portsea Island - War Memorial
Portsea Island - War Memorial
Portsea Island - Portsmouth Ferry to isle of Wight
Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Southsea Beach
Southsea Beach - Portsea Island
Portsea Island - southsea beach
 
Southsea beach - Portsea Island - Portsmouth

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • You are totally right as I came across Dana Carmel's pictures at timetravelplans.net when she visited Portsmouth in New Hampshire and couldn't believe the similarities. So you definitely have to visit Portsmouth in Hampshire(UK 🙂 ). You will feel right at home.

      Reply

  5. I didn't know they did Skywalking at Spinnaker Tower, sounds amazing!! I would love to do it too – two weeks ago I rappelled face first down a seventeen storey building in La Paz, and the experience was incredible!! Such a rush 🙂

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  7. Brilliant pics as per usual! 🙂 We used to go here on school trips as children (pre the spinnaker tower!) to visit to the ancient boats… Haven't been for years! 🙂

    Reply

  9. I love boats and the ocean so your post was right up my alley. My particular favourite is the one of the Marine with the close up of the yacht with the green stripe on the waterline and the dark clouds on the horizon. Wonderful. My next fav is the last one – such a good shot.

    Reply

    • Thanks Jan, I love being near the water too and dont mind the boats too. If you find yourself in the UK in August they have Cowes week which is boats galore! I will be going to that and hopefully will share some pictures of that too.

      Reply

  10. Great shot of the ferry – the sky looks beautiful behind it. The war memorial looks like it's very well done and a nice monument to those who served. I would definitely be up for the Skywalk views!

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  13. I absolutely love your pictures! Looks like a wonderful city! I don't know whether or not I would freak out on the Skywalk but it certainly looks like a cool thing to do!

    Reply

  22. Great photos! I have never done a skywalk experience and it looks just a bit terrifying but perhaps we will go for it here! We are planning on exploring the UK more next summer and will probably head to Portsmouth.

    Reply

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