Whenever a trip to the UK comes under discussion, there’s no doubt that London always comes out on top. In some ways, it’s rightly so. After all, this is one of the most interesting capital cities in the world, and the fact that most international flights are diverted to one of the many airports there, suggests that demand is always high as well.
However, it would be fair to say that there is more to a UK vacation than London. After all, this is a country which is home to over 65 million people in umpteen towns and cities. As you may have gathered, today’s post is all about one of these cities – Portsmouth.
Located on the coast, it could be said that Portsmouth doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as it deserves. It’s still a convenient drive from London, and has hotels which are comparable if not better than the capital. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do in this magnificent coastal town.
Spinnaker Tower
We’re outside of London, so we may as well point to the “next best thing” outside of the capital. This comes in the form of Spinnaker Tower, which is actually the tallest tower in the country, excluding London’s Shard.
It was opened in 2005 and is constructed from a mix of steel and glass, in the shape of a sail. Considering Portsmouth’s reputation as a port, this is all quite charming.
From the top of the tower, you can see as far as the Isle of Wight. The glass floor is also breathtaking; it’s a long way down, but it’s completely worth it.
Mary Rose
Staying coastal, let’s now introduce one of the most famous ships in the country. This comes in the form of Mary Rose, which happened to be the flagship of Henry VIII.
This is a boat which sank in the Solent all the way back in 1545. Quite incredibly, it was several hundred years later (in the early 1980s to be precise) when it was raised.
For a ship that spent so long on the bottom of the ocean, many are amazed at just how well it has been preserved. It’s possible to walk across the decks and really gain an insight into what life used to be like aboard.
Gunwharf Quays
Of course, it’s not all about maritime history. In the middle of the city is Gunwharf Quays; a designer outlet containing no fewer than 95 stores. It means that it really competes with the best, particularly as there is a 14-screen cinema based there as well (as well as countless restaurants).
A touch of Dickens and Holmes
Returning to the historical themes, Portsmouth is also home to the house where Charles Dickens was born. There’s a story of Dickens desperately trying to hunt the city and find this house, but nowadays there are countless signs which will point you in the right direction.
Not only that, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, lived in the city. This has resulted in a Sherlock Holmes exhibition existing in the City Museum.
Article Submitted By Community Writer