Discover the best pubs & restaurants in Portsmouth
About Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a waterfront city in Portsea Island off the majestic coast of Southern England. It is the only city in the nation to be situated on an island.
Portsmouth’s fame comes from its rich history as the Royal Navy’s primary base and the world’s greatest historical por. The city’s most iconic landmarks include the 170-meter Spinnaker Tower and the seaside resort named Southsea.
The finest attractions of Portsmouth are closely related with the city’s naval history and culture. It boasts of forts, castles, naval museums, and religious landmarks. The city retains two fascinating cathedrals with medieval architecture.
Restaurants in Portsmouth offer a dining experience meant for royalties. Some of the great places to eat in Portsmouth are in the seaside where tables are served with a variety of food from Mediterranean, Asian, and European roots. The city’s distilleries and breweries are worth exploring as well.
Markets in Portsmouth offer a large selection of local merchandise, making them perfect shopping venues for souvenirs.
Portsmouth has the oldest structures in the world. In 1495, Henry VII established the city’s dry dock where the warship Sweepstake was built. The city’s other famous ships are the HMS Victory, the flagship of Lord Nelson, and the HMS Warrior which has been maintained as a museum ship.
The port city of Portsmouth is equally popular with its world-class theatres and music events. One of the grandest occasions is the three-day Victorious Festival where the biggest names in music share the stage every August.
Football is huge in Portsmouth. The Portsmouth Football Club competes in various football cups. Game matches are usually held in Fratton Park.
Some of the famous names born in Portsmouth are Charles Dickens, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and James Callaghan.
Places to eat in Portsmouth, Restaurants in Portsmouth
https://www.goingout.co.uk/chinese-restaurants/portsmouth/the-mary-rose-dragon-133852
https://www.goingout.co.uk/steakhouse-restaurants/portsmouth/shorties-restaurant-60861
https://www.goingout.co.uk/french-restaurants/portsmouth/the-chambers-60803
https://www.goingout.co.uk/vietnamese-restaurants/portsmouth/viet-quan-cafe-60865
https://www.goingout.co.uk/seafood-restaurants/portsmouth/viviers-119545
https://www.goingout.co.uk/british/portsmouth/sweet-science-patisserie-86199
Places to drink in Portsmouth, Pubs and Bars in Portsmouth
https://www.goingout.co.uk/pubbar/portsmouth/brewhouse-kitchen-portsmouth-86215
https://www.goingout.co.uk/british/portsmouth/the-eldon-arms-60891
https://www.goingout.co.uk/british/portsmouth/the-ship-castle-86246
https://www.goingout.co.uk/seafood-restaurants/portsmouth/three-60921
https://www.goingout.co.uk/british/portsmouth/the-farmhouse-hungry-horse-86217
https://www.goingout.co.uk/fish-chip-shops/portsmouth/anchorage-fish-chips-61199
A brief history of Portsmouth
Portsmouth was England’s battlefront during the French Invasion in 1545. The English fleet sought shelter in the heavily-fortified city when the French immensely outnumbered them by the number of ships and troops.
There are various accounts behind the city’s other name, Pompey. It is said that the nickname came from Po’m.P., the contraction used by navigational charts as a log entry for Portsmouth Point. One historian stated that the nickname originated from a group of sailors who frequented Pompey’s Pillar in Egypt during the 18th century. A third claim explained that the nickname was derived from the French ship, Pompee which was given to the British following the Siege of Toulon in 1793.
The industrial Revolution ignited in Portsmouth following the establishment of the first production line in Block Mills.
In 1194, King Richard I decreed Portsmouth as a market town by virtue of a royal charter. Portsmouth earned its city status in 1926, deriving its motto “Heaven’s Light Our Guide” from its coat of arms. The city obtained its unitary authority on April 1, 1997.
The Royal Engineers built forts around Portsmouth in 1859 in response to threats of another French invasion.
Despite its strong fortifications, Portsmouth wasn’t spared from the series of bombings during the World War II. The largest bombing incident is known as the Portsmouth Blitz, wherein the city suffered damage and deaths. This attack sparked the D-Day landings on June 6, 1994.
The decline of the British Empire’s power hurt Portsmouth’s economy, especially its shipbuilding industry. From 1951 to 1966, the dockyard experienced a drastic reduction in workforce. For the following years, the city council made a move to address the employment problem by creating industrial areas in Fratton, Paulsgrove, and Farlington. Corset manufacturing soon vanished along with other traditional industries in the emergence of electrical engineering as a major line of business.
Popular things to do in Portsmouth
- Climb aboard the most famous warship, the HMS Victory – http://www.hms-victory.com/
- Pay Mary Rose Museum a visit – www.maryrose.org
- Roam the armoured battleship, the HMS Warrior – http://www.hmswarrior.org/
- Gaze at stunning views at the Emirates Spinnaker Tower – http://www.spinnakertower.co.uk/
- Know the story of England’s maritime force in the Royal Navy Submarine Museum – https://www.nmrn.org.uk/submarine-museum
Free things to do in Portsmouth
- Travel back in time while roaming the Southsea Castle – https://southseacastle.co.uk/
- Learn about the town’s heritage and roots at the Portsmouth City Museum – https://portsmouthmuseum.co.uk/
- Take a look at the collections and displays of the Portsmouth Natural History Museum – https://portsmouthnaturalhistory.co.uk/
- Discover traditional shipbuilding methods at the Historic Dockyard – https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/
- See the town’s artillery collection at the Royal Armouries – Fort Nelson – https://royalarmouries.org/venue/fort-nelson/
Great for kids in Portsmouth
- Tour the Strawbery Banke Museum – https://www.strawberybanke.org/
- Catch a glimpse of fairy houses at the Portsmouth Fairy House Tour – http://www.portsmouthfairyhousetour.com/
- Relax in the gardens of Prescott Park – https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/prescottpark
- Get inspired at the Prescott Park Arts Festival – https://www.prescottpark.org/
- Enjoy hearty meals at the Lexie’s Joint – https://www.peaceloveburgers.com/
Great for dogs in Portsmouth
- Take them to a stroll in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park
- Appreciate a breath of fresh air in the Walk in the Woods – Foxes Forest
- Play with them at the St James Park
Dog friendly restaurants
- The Rocka Restaurant
- Restaurant Forty-6
- Huis
Did you know?
The No. 9 Dock at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard is the filming location for the 2013 Hollywood depiction of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.
Portsmouth has also served as a setting for various literary masterpieces including Jonathan Meades’ Pompey, Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, and Charles Dickens’ The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
The hidden gems of Portsmouth
For tourists with the soft spot for horticultural wonders, the Southsea Rose Garden or Lumps Fort may just be the perfect place to visit. The remains of the fort cradle a beautiful garden where forty varieties of roses bloom during summer.
The hidden gems of Portsmouth
Portsmouth made history when it hosted a league match under floodlights on 22 February 1956 at Fratton Park.
