Portsmouth

Sunset Walks on Portsea Island

May 17, 2014 by admin 16 Comments

This is the third installment of posts on my recent visit to Portsea Island in Portsmouth. I used to, and still do love walks just before the sun sets. I particularly love walking between 5-7 as you catch the sun in its most glorious and glowing state. The warm tones just give a sense of warmth about them and everything has a sun-kissed yellow tone from the sun’s reflection.

Sunset Walks on Portsea Island

Passing through Old Portsmouth, we walked passed this beautiful Anglican Cathedral. I just love its simplicity compared to a lot of cathedrals. Its lived through many bombings and damage sustained during WWI but its Romanesque design gives nothing away. I also love the entrance, the design of the bronze door is based on the tree of life, an ancient symbol representing the renewal of life. A tree of life is a common motif used in various theologies and mythologies alluding to the interconnection of all life on our planet.

This is not among the most famous of cathedrals but its still beautiful and a little gem hidden away in Old Portsmouth. It’s also close by another beautiful spot and hidden from the crowds but close to walking paths on the coastline. If you are ever in Portsmouth don’t forget to check out the old watch tower in Tower Alley. Its only a few steps from this cathedral, it offers some stunning views and a great spot for taking pictures or just watching the sun go down while boats float by.

Hope you had a lovely weekend and please do share some of your pictures of your city’s hidden gems away from the tourist traps. Tweet me or leave me a link or picture on Facebook.

Please do share some of your pictures of your city’s hidden gems away from the tourist traps. Tweet me or leave me a link or picture on Facebook.

Portsea Island – Guide To Beautiful Portsmouth

May 13, 2014 by admin 31 Comments

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

Portsea Island - Portsmouth - Spinnaker Tower -

Portsea Island - Portsmouth Ferry to isle of Wight

Southsea beach - Portsea Island - Portsmouth

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle Of The Sea

May 8, 2014 by admin 32 Comments

A day trip for a Spitbank For Sunday lunch is a must when checking out Portsmouth. The shores of Southsea on Portsea Island can be somewhat chameleonic. Being part of the UK it does not escape from the ever-changing weather, its the transporting views on a beautiful coastline that stretches of for miles that I immediately fell in love with back in 2003. I guess you can say it was love at first sight. The following year I moved to Portsmouth on Portsea Island, South coast of England.

On long summer days, I could easily spend the day out on the seafront watching sailboats play catch with the wind, ferries transporting islanders to Calais in France or watch cruise liners pass through with passengers hoping for a short break from cabin fever. The beauty that comes with living so close to the seaside and a break from the concrete jungle of London life is what inspired the move to Portsmouth. On this weekend, we were heading out for a Spitbank Fort day trip.

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea | Spitbank Fort | how far is spitbank fort from portsmouth

Spitbank Fort | how far is spitbank fort from portsmouth

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea

Day Trip For Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch

My visit back to Portsmouth this time was for a Spitbank Fort Sunday lunch date which is not far from Portsmouth. Not many people know about this place. On the coastline of Portsea Island lies the secrets of The Solent. I got to spend the day exploring one of the secrets. Spitbank Fort is one of four forts that was originally constructed to defend the British from Napoleon’s army in the 18th century.

Days of fighting have long gone and these abandoned forts have now been renovated, with one turned into a museum, one is solely owned, with the other two turned into luxury hotels. One of which is the Spitbank Fort and the other twice as big, opening its doors this Autumn. This beautiful man-made island caters to many events as well from Spitbank Fort afternoon teas, lunch to having a Spitbank Fort wedding or weekend stay. For Spitbank Fort room rates, rooms and hotels in near Spitbank Fort click here.

For those wondering just how Spitbank Fort is from Portsmouth. One can only get to the forts by Spitbank Fort boat, so transportation was from the Royal Clarence Marina on Gosport. Floating passed the beautiful Spinnaker tower and sailors no doubt testing out their boats in readiness for Cowes week this coming summer. With a tricky entry onto the fort due to rough seas, on arrival, we were met with glasses of wine and canapes.

Then a tour of the fort with a little historical detail of the living conditions of the soldiers that guarded the seas within the fort. You cannot help but admire the old generation for building such a fantastic structure in the sea, with the little the technology they had compared to what we can achieve today, and it still stands today. There is so much history within the walls.

Spitbank Fort Activities and Sunday Lunch

Touring Spitbank Fort and watching ferries and speedboats sail passed we had worked up an appetite, so it was time to retreat to the dining room for Spitbank Fort lunch served with a side of Spit water! An interesting name for sure, but I assure you it’s not literal. There is a spring running 401 feet beneath the fort so you can quench your thirst with Spitbank (shortened to Spit) water, freshly bottled on site too. With conversations effortlessly flowing with other guests at the table and dessert beautifully caressing each and every taste bud, you could be forgiven for your mind drifting off into a dreamy state filled with all things sweet and nice.

Spitbank Fort was beautifully transformed from a neglected sea fort to one that has a luxurious coziness to it with a mix of a nautical theme and some original furniture items for its hay day. A relaxing lounge, recreation room, outdoor heated pool with stunning sea views, a fire pit to cozy up to and a bar to toast the night away you would wish never to leave the fort.

After much needed Sunday rest and relaxation on Spitbank Fort, it was time to head home and leave the overnight guest to enjoy their humble aboard. The secret is now out of the bag. If you have not head of the forts on The Solent then you need get your fingers busy on Google so you can get you and your special someone over to Spitbank Fort stat! You will thank me for it. In the meantime some pictures from my exploration of the fort…

Spitbank Fort Rooms and Rates

This is one luxurious island hotel. Surrounded by peace and quiet on the Solent as you wake up to beautiful views. There are only 8 rooms so if you want to stay on Spotbank Fort, make sure you are booking well in advance is advisable. For Spitbank Fort rates, reviews and Spitbank Fort special offers check out Expedia.

Spitbank Fort Afternoon Tea In the Middle of the Sea | Spitbank Fort | how far is spitbank fort from portsmouth

Spitbank Fort Afternoon | Spitbank Fort | how far is spitbank fort from portsmouth

Spitbank Fort menu | lunch on spitbank fort

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea | Spitbank Fort menu | lunch on spitbank fort

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea | how to get to spitbank fort | spitbank fort images

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea | spitbank fort day trip

Spitbank Fort Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea | spitbank fort portsmouth

spitbank fort day trip | how to get to spitbank fort

Spitbank Fort Hotel | Sunday Lunch In the Middle of the Sea

Booking a hotel stay on the fort.

Staying on the Forts. You can book a stay at the Fort as well as look at hotels near and surroundingPortsmouth.

Rest and relaxation with panoramic sea views await you… So have you heard about the luxury forts on The Solent before?

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Off to Spitbank Fort In Portsmouth

April 25, 2014 by admin 16 Comments

So excited to finally be heading to Spitbank Fort. Its a small luxury hotel on a sea fort off the coast of Portsmouth. It only has eight suites inside former gun emplacements, a restaurant, bar and rooftop entertainment area. A private boat trip to the island, champagne reception, private tour of the Spitbank Fort, what more can a girl ask for?

Really excited! I have only been to Portsmouth a handful of times since I moved back to London in 2010. I was originally meant to go for Valentines day but due to the terrible weather we’ve had in the UK of late the winds had damaged the stairs on the fort so we had to reschedule. Finally that day has come! So I will be spending most of Sunday on an exclusive private island in Portsmouth!

Some of you may already know that I lived and studied in Portsmouth a good 4 years. Can you spot the Spinnaker tower in the background? That used to be(still is) the place to hang out in Portsmouth.

I will be sure to update the blog with pictures once I get back, but in the meantime here is a video of what the fort looks like. Also follow on Instagram or Facebook for regular updates.

Images via Spitbank Fort

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