Our most recommended things to do in Portsmouth

Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower Ticket

1. Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower Ticket

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.

The Mary Rose: Day Admission Ticket

2. The Mary Rose: Day Admission Ticket

Visit the new state-of-the-art museum built around King Henry VIII's flagship which 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 artefacts tell the story of life on board for the crew and officers in Tudor times. The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world, and houses the largest and most unique Tudor collection of objects. New for summer 2021: Experience "1545 - When their world ended", a brand new immersive experience that will take you back to July 19, 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 Britains' most famous shipwreck. Experience the immersive Tudor warship sinking.

Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight

3. Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight

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.

HMS Victory: Day Admission Ticket

4. HMS Victory: Day Admission Ticket

Visit HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous battleship. Best known for her role in the battle of Trafalgar, the Victory is now the flagship of the first sea lord and a living museum to the Georgian Navy. New for 2021, HMS Victory Under Hull Walkway. Visitors can descend into the base of the dry dock and view the ship from below. The ship stands as a memorial to Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain’s greatest naval hero, and his victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Climb aboard 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. You can even stand in the spot where Nelson died. HMS Victory is currently undergoing conservation work but is still open, and visitors can experience Victory Live! to find out more about this conservation project.

Southampton Port: London via Salisbury, Stonehenge & Windsor

5. Southampton Port: London via Salisbury, Stonehenge & Windsor

The first stop on your excursion is Salisbury, boasting one of the finest Gothic Cathedrals in Britain, built in the 13th century, and a stunning medieval town center. You’ll spend an hour in Salisbury before departing for mysterious Stonehenge. The drive from Salisbury to Stonehenge takes you through some beautiful English countryside and villages, passing historic churches and thatched cottages. 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 (admission fee not included), 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 Queen (admission not included, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). If you opt not to enter Windsor castle, enjoy a stroll through the old town and Eton. The coach departs Windsor at 16:00 and passengers will be dropped off at major 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.

Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower High Tea in the Clouds

6. Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower High Tea in the Clouds

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.

Portsmouth: The D-Day Story Entry Ticket

7. Portsmouth: The D-Day Story Entry Ticket

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.

Portsmouth: Portsmouth of the Past Walking Tour

8. Portsmouth: Portsmouth of the Past Walking Tour

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.

From Portsmouth: Isle of Wight Day Tour by Bus and Ferry

9. From Portsmouth: Isle of Wight Day Tour by Bus and Ferry

Meet in central Portsmouth and travel by modern executive coach to the Isle of Wight via the Wightlink Ferry. Get a great photo of Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower and its historic dockyard as you depart. Arrive in Fishbourne, Isle of Wight at noon. Take a scenic 20-30 minute drive to the charming village of Godshill. Upon arrival, discover its medieval church and see its 500-year-old thatched cottages, tea shops, and the Model Village. Explore the village with your guide and learn more about the local history. Continue to Alum Bay, famous for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and "the Needles". Choose between a chairlift ride (optional extra charge) or a walk down the steps to the picturesque beach. Lots of activities for the kids too! Enjoy the stunning views of this scenic location, with plenty of fantastic photo opportunities. After some time here, travel back to Fishbourne for a 6:20 PM ferry back to the mainland, returning to Portsmouth just after 7pm.

Portsmouth Treasure Hunt Mystery: Nelson's Stolen Diamonds

10. Portsmouth Treasure Hunt Mystery: Nelson's Stolen Diamonds

The legendary Portsmouth mystery.. .. unsolved for 200 years.. Until now. Begin your adventure at Portsmouth's oldest pub 'The Dolphin', and Turn the streets of Portsmouth into a giant outdoor escape room! ✔️ Enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure to treasure with your friends. ✔️ Combine your skills to crack the clues & unravel the epic tale. ✔️ Discover Portsmouth's amazing history & hidden gems! On Nelson's last day on dry land, he stored a valuable diamond necklace in the safe of an old Portsmouth tavern, but that night, a thief broke in and snatched it! Was it stolen for money? Or an act of revenge? Nobody knew.. But the villain left a trail of clues.. … and this is where you come in. The pages of your Mystery Guide™ take you on an exciting puzzle adventure through the heart of historic Portsmouth, as you follow the maps, unlock the clues, and unravel the epic tale. Your challenge is to track down hidden objects, decode symbols, and uncover hidden messages, as you eliminate suspects and gradually unpick the crime. And an exciting twist awaits… Make it to the end and you'll be struck by an amazing ‘wow’ moment when the case is solved and the villain is revealed before your eyes! Simply grab your Mystery Guide™, head to the start, and set off at a time that suits you. Don’t let the villain get away... Your time to start is now!

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What people are saying about Portsmouth

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,402 reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this treasure hunt,I live in Portsmouth but have never explored the harbour and the area around it .The booklet was very interesting and great clues and the bonus of eating and having a drink with a good discount in some of the best pubs I have visited.

What a fantastic day out . Good value for money and all our questions answered by very informative guides. After buying an annual ticket, we will be going back in the Spring.

Brilliant such a good day! My son enjoyed his birthday here and is so looking forward to taking his dad there!

It was my first time on the hovercraft, and we loved the experience. It was so quick and easy.

this is a must to visit and have a good look around the ships