Portsmouth

Tours

As you walk towards Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (5 minutes from Portsmouth Harbour train station) you will see the stunning HMS Warrior on the water. Pick up your ticket from our friendly Visitor Centre and ask them to help you plan your visit. We would recommend taking a stroll through the dockyard to surround yourself with its atmosphere and history until you reach The Mary Rose. Visit this extraordinary time capsule that was buried at the bottom of the sea and then dramatically rediscovered. Enjoy thousands of fascinating objects and be immersed in the new Dive the Mary Rose 4D. You can then visit HMS Victory the UK's most famous warship and Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar. Step on board and follow in the footsteps of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, witness how the crew lived and see the might of the 104 guns on the decks. An audio guide is available. The outside of Victory is currently undercover apart from it's famous stern and prow whilst it undergoes a once in a lifetime conservation project - Victory Live: The Big Repair. See parts of the ship never uncovered before and watch the shipwrights and conservators at work. Don't miss out on the magnificent Victorian engineering marvel HMS Warrior that sits proudly in the Harbour. On board you will find a stunning engine room and some of Warrior's crew who love to talk to visitors about their time at sea. On the weekends and during the school holidays you can take one of our water buses (included in the ticket) across to Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Explosion - Museum of Naval Firepower. Be amazed by HMS Alliance a 1945 submarine surrounded by a picturesque marina. Take a tour of the boat with an ex submariner and enjoy their brilliant stories of life at sea. Don't forget to visit Holland 1 the first submarine! These are just some of the highlights of a visit to the dockyard. You can also visit HMS M.33 a First World War ship that survived the Gallipoli campaign and the National Museum of the Royal Navy which takes you on a journey through the history of the Royal Navy from the 1700s to the present day. Also included in your ticket is a Harbour Tour - The tour offers unrivalled views of Britain’s modern frigates, destroyers and other vessels, as well as historic buildings and the dramatic skyline of the harbour. Along the way there are plenty of opportunities to take a photo or take a break. The Mary Rose has a cafe with the best views of not only HMS Victory but also the modern aircraft carriers when they are anchored there. When you visit cafe Camber Lights over at Explosion it has great views of the harbour and of course delicious snacks. You can enjoy as many or as few of the museums and ships at the Dockyard as you like. You are free to roam with your Ultimate Explorer ticket which is valid for a year. Please do check the website for the most up-to-date information and opening times which vary during school term times.

Experience the south coast’s most spectacular view. Spinnaker Tower stands at 170 meters tall, offering breath-taking 23-mile views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. The iconic landmark boasts a high-speed lift and three sky-high viewing decks. Venture across the thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ at 100 meters above sea level; discover stories behind the surrounding sites with informative touchscreen displays; try vertigo-inducing virtual reality, breath in the view from the open air ‘Sky Garden’; relax in The Clouds with a coffee, a glass of bubbly or a decadent High Tea; and enjoy delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients in the Waterfront Cafe.

After travelling through the stunning countryside and villages of Wiltshire, we arrive for a short photo stop in the charming town of Salisbury. We walk through the Medieval St Ann's Gate and the cathedral close, seeing an impressive collection of historic buildings, and then take time to admire its impressive tower and spire - at 404 feet the tallest in the country - constructed in a short space of time from 1220 to 1258. We then enter the cloisters, built from 1261, and the largest in the country, to complete our walk. Unfortunately, there is not enough time to enter Salisbury Cathedral on this tour. Before arriving at Stonehenge your guide will tell you about the many myths, legends, and facts surrounding this prehistoric structure. Stonehenge has been described as one of the greatest mysteries of the prehistoric world. Was it a temple, a clock, a burial site, or something else? On arrival you’ll have time for a visit and an audio-guided tour around the world famous stones, or time to browse the gift shop. After 90 minutes at Stonehenge you’ll depart for Royal Windsor, where you’re scheduled to arrive in time for a late lunch. You’ll then have some time to explore the city and castle. Windsor Castle is the largest continuously occupied castle in the world and your guide will tell you about its history from William the Conqueror to the current King (Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The coach departs Windsor at 16:00 and passengers will be dropped off at selected Heathrow hotels beginning at 16:45. When booking, please specify your hotel and the terminal, if applicable. Drop offs are also provided at terminals 1-5. A drive into London is next, which is less than an hour from Heathrow. The guide will manage the hotel drop offs, where additional vehicles or taxis may be used (included in the price) to ensure the hotel drops are completed as quickly as possible. Drop off options include 250 London hotels and selected main line London train stations. How much luggage can I bring? Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (75x51x28 cm - 23kg each) and 1 item of carry on luggage (55x40x20 cm - 10kg each). Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the vehicle in which you will be travelling. If you bring extra luggage it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your cruise ship. Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold and will be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.

Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea, with sandwiches, fruit scones, and other treats, served with tea or coffee. Gaze out at the sea and enjoy a beautiful view of Portsmouth through the windows as you dine. Explore Spinnaker Tower in your own time, with a general admission ticket included. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, with a selection of delicious sandwiches to choose from. Also, sample an assortment of sweet treats and fruit scones with clotted cream and jam. This is served with a selection of teas or coffee. While you eat, marvel at the amazing view of Portsmouth from the tower. Afterward, explore the tower at your leisure, as a general admission ticket is also included. Go out on the viewing platform for a panoramic view, walk on the glass floor, and watch the short introductory film, Sail of the Solent, to learn some interesting facts about the tower.

Board your hovercraft for an adrenaline-filled day on the Isle of Wight. When the hovercraft reaches the island, you'll land in a prime sea front position along Ryde's beautiful and inviting beaches. Hop off and enjoy what Ryde and the Isle of Wight have to offer, including the beaches, boutique shops, bars and restaurants, and travel links to elsewhere across the island. After a day of fun on the island, enjoy a same-day return journey back to the Southsea terminal. The journey across the Solent is approximately 10 minutes. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight on the World's only commercial passenger hovercraft service.

Enjoy a visit to Portsmouth’s fascinating D-Day Story and learn about this pivotal event that changed the course of World War Two. Explore the museum dedicated to telling the story of 6 June 1944 through exhibits, interactives, and video from the perspective of those who were there. Divided into three distinct parts, The D-Day Story includes access on board the LCT 7074, the last surviving landing craft tank which carried ten tanks to Normandy on D-Day. On board, see the Sherman and Churchill tanks which give an impression of what an LCT full of vehicles would look like. Learn about the story of D-Day told through personal accounts and the iconic objects from the museum's collection. Discover more about 'The Plan' - how those in charge made the crucial decisions around when and where to cross the channel and the secrecy and deception required. The museum is also home to the Overlord Embroidery, telling the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in 34 extraordinary hand-stitched panels. Film clips of veterans talking about their experiences give visitors further insight into what took place.

Visit HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous battleship. The ship is best known for its role in the battle of Trafalgar and Vice Admiral Lord Nelson. Climb on board HMS Victory and step back in time to the Georgian period. See the cabin where the Battle of Trafalgar was planned. Walk the once crowded decks where over 800 men lived, worked and fought. Feel the might and the power of 104 guns on deck. You can even stand in the spot where Nelson died. Take a stroll on Victory's Under Hull Walkway. Marvel at the ship's sheer scale and engineering. HMS Victory is currently undergoing a once in a generation conservation project to protect the ship for the next 50 years. The outside of the ship is currently covered but the famous stern and prow are visible. Most importantly you can step on board. As part of the entry to Victory you can experience Victory Live; The Big Repair. See parts of the ship never seen before and watch our shipwrights and conservation experts at work.

Visit this state-of-the-art museum built around King Henry VIII's flagship, sunk during battle off the coast Portsmouth in 1545. The ship was raised from the seabed in 1982 and the award-winning museum was built in 2013. Walk through a range of interactive displays in which 9,000 Tudor artifacts also rescued from the seabed have been reunited from the ship. See how these artifacts tell the story of life on board for the crew and officers in Tudor times. Visit "1545 - When their world ended", an immersive experience that will take you back to 19 July, 1545. Re-live the final moments on board the Mary Rose as it sinks during the Battle of the Solent. Step back in time to hear from King Henry VIII and the crew of Britain's most famous shipwreck. The new - Dive the Mary Rose 4D is cinematic adventure telling the story of diving the wreck site, to raising the ship in 1982. Winner of Museums and Heritage 'Best use of Technology in Heritage' award 2024!

Enjoy a leisurely walking tour around Old Portsmouth, taking in its points of interest and its hidden treasures. We focus on the quirky stories that you might miss in a stroll around this beautiful area. The tour ranges from the Romans at Portus Adurni (Portchester Castle today) through the development of Old Portsmouth in the late 12th century to the modern day Aircraft Carriers in the dockyard. The tour concentrates on stories of its people & how Portsmouth helped to shape the world through its naval history. The walk is supported by historic pictures, maps etc For children, an activity book / pencils is provided, with all content age appropriate. All funds raised / gratuities are split with Cancer Research UK. Last year over £1200 raised so far for this incredible charity helping to beat these horrible diseases. The tour is wheelchair / scooter accessible & is dog friendly.

Visit Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath on this day trip in an air-conditioned bus from London. Explore the residence of the English monarchy at Windsor Caste and try to unlock the secrets of Stonehenge for yourself. Admire Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge in the city of Bath. The first stop on this full-day tour is the historic town of Windsor where you’ll visit the Queen’s favorite weekend retreat — Windsor Castle. The Castle, dating from Norman times, features a prominent turreted Round Tower. It sits atop a wooded hill on the banks of the Thames River, in the midst of lovely landscaped grounds. Have a “through-the-keyhole” look at the Castle’s State Apartments and paintings by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci that hang there. A visit to St. George’s Chapel is also on your tour. The Chapel is the final resting place of King Henry VIII and other monarchs. Before you leave Windsor, you’ll see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a residence in miniature, complete with electricity, running water, working lifts, and even bottles of wine. The iconic and ancient monument of Stonehenge is your second stop on the tour. Your first sight of Stonehenge will be of the monolithic rocks rising up from Salisbury Plain. There have been many theories over the ages about this mysterious 5,000-year-old formation. You may end up with a theory of your own to add to the speculation.  The city of Bath lines the sloping banks of the Avon River. This was England’s first city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Visit the 15th-century Bath Abbey and also Pulteney Bridge, which was based on the design of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. You’ll see stunning examples of Georgian architecture and have enough free time in Bath to explore on your own. After a full and memorable day, you will arrive in London at the end of your tour at approximately 8:00 PM.