PORTSMOUTH – Have YOU Visited The UK’s ONLY Island City?

PORTSMOUTH – Have YOU Visited The UK’s ONLY Island City?

Hey everyone, welcome to the channel. In the UK, 
you’ll find plenty of seaside coastal retreats, towns, and holiday spots. Yet, this historic, 
vibrant maritime city has everything someone would want to experience for a memorable 
city break, seaside holiday, or a day trip. In this video, we will guide you through our 
hometown, sharing some of the great hidden, not so hidden, and unexpected charm that you 
can experience if you plan your trip here. So, buckle up and welcome to Portsmouth, England’s 
only island city. Portsmouth is unlike any other in the UK. It’s an island anchored by 800 years 
of naval history. The city is nicknamed by locals as Pompey. It’s thought that Pompey originated 
from the naval slang used when referring to the historic Portsmouth Point, which is the area we 
are standing in at the moment. Talking of slang, Pompey has its very own dialect with terms 
and phrases only locals use like Dinlo, Mush, and Squinny. The abbreviation Pompey was used 
in ship’s logs and on navigational charts as a shortened way of writing Portsmouth Point, a 
location near the harbor entrance, known for its taverns, frequented by sailors and soldiers on 
leave. The day starts where the city began. This point, known locally as Spice Island, thanks 
to the exotic goods smuggled and traded here, is the beating heart of Old Portsmouth and the 
perfect place to be explored on foot. You can start with a coffee or a pint at one of the 
best Key-side spots, the Still and West Pub, perched right on the water. This is the pub 
where the sailors used to literally jump from the upstairs windows onto waiting ships. The area is 
perfect to watch the fairies and the naval vessels glide past. From the pub, make your way down the 
cobbled streets to look out for the blue plaques that mark the infamous taverns. And don’t miss the 
square Tower, a 15th century guard house that was once one of the earliest defenses, but now hosts 
small markets and sometimes weddings. The cobbled streets will lead you along the ancient city 
walls known as the Hot Walls where the views across the Solent are just magnificent. One of the 
best things to do apart from watch the fishermen or walk on the beach down below is to enjoy the 
boats sailing past and look over at the warships heading in and out of the Solent. On route, it’s 
worth stopping off at the Royal Garrison Church, a now looked after English heritage site that was 
bombed during World War II. The nave is preserved as a haunting open air ruin. its stone arches 
pointing skyward and its interior is really lovely. The staff at the site are very insightful 
and help share the stories. It’s an incredibly moving and photogenic site capturing the city’s 
resilience. After soaking up some of the old city, head towards the dockyards and Gunwharf. It’s 
here that you’ll be right in the place for the historic dockyard and its naval core. Voted 
as the city’s top attraction on Trip Advisor, it features everything from iconic ships through 
to interactive museums and harbor boat tours, allowing you to fully immerse yourself into the 
seafaring life. It is definitely value for money as not only do you get access to all of the 
ships, the museums, and the activity areas, you also get to go on harbor tours and across the 
Gosport for more fun and games. Not only that, but your tickets are valid for a full year, so you can 
return at your own convenience, filling you for the day and for the year with plenty of nautical 
history that sets the city apart from most. You can walk a few steps from the dockyard gates to 
the modern icon of the city, the Spica Tower. Set within Gunwharf Quays, the UK’s only waterfront 
outlet shopping center that’s filled with over 90 famous brands at bargain outlet prices. The Spica 
Tower stands at a mighty 170 m tall, showcasing an incredible 20 plus mile view over the city, the 
South Downs, and the aisle of white on a good day. There is a lot to enjoy at this part of Portsmouth 
that caters to everyone from morning till night. Another highlight is Portsmouth Cathedral, 
which is located in the area of Old Portsmouth, placing it right in the ancient heart of the 
city, close to where your initial journey may have started at the point. It’s often described 
as the Sailor’s Cathedral due to its proximity to the historic harbor. This cathedral is unique as 
it wasn’t officially designated a cathedral until 1927. You can wander through the quiet building 
and appreciate the Georgian architecture, the beautiful wooden paneling and historic memorials. 
One thing to look up for is the golden ship sat right above the turret. It’s another constant 
reminder of the city’s maritime dependency. The city is full of color and creative energy, 
proudly displaying local artists work and murals. You can easily spend the day walking 
the different areas of the city and finding something of interest. Some of my personal 
favorites belong to the incredibly talented Mr. Samo Fark and the renowned local legend my 
dog size. Another fantastic mural was created by local artists is where the Strand City mural 
map is situated on Clarendon Road in South. This map helps tourists figure out where they are and 
where they might want to go and it highlights some of the incredible local businesses that we have in 
the area worth looking out for on your aunt hunt. A visit to Albert Road has to be on your list. 
If you’re wanting to enjoy a tipple or two, this road has enough watering holes to tickle your 
fancy. Lined each side, you’ll find a fantastic, unique collection of local boozers, and 
independent shops, quirky boutiques, lively cafes, and a diverse selection of restaurants. Along this 
road, try not to miss a show in the iconic King’s Theater. A beautiful Edwardian Playhouse, still 
with its original features. With its stunning ornate interior, it hosts a diverse program of 
touring productions, musicals, and comedy offering a truly grand cultural experience. Whilst still in 
this area, you should make a beeline for South Sea Castle. First of all, it’s a free attraction on 
the seafront with views over the Solent and plenty of places to sit down and admire the scenery. But 
the castle really does serve as a precious jewel in the city. This nearly 500year-old fortress 
shares the incredible story of the demise of the Mary Rose and its battles with the French. 
You can wander the battlements, climb the keep, and see exhibits on King Henry VIII and the 
various weapons used. You can also gaze up at the beautiful black and white lighthouse guarding 
the castle. The keep is a charming and unique location to also get married in. And throughout 
the summer, special events are held on the castle’s roof where it transforms into a popular 
champagne bar. Next door to South Sea Castle and perfectly situated on the seafront, the D-Day 
Story Museum is the UK’s only museum dedicated to all aspects of the Normandy landings. It’s an 
incredibly emotional and comprehensive experience. You can take a self-guided audio tour through the 
journey of D-Day from the planning and preparation in Britain to the landings in France and the 
heroic sacrifices that were made. The museum is divided into three main parts. the museum itself 
focusing on personal stories, genuine artifacts, weapons, postcards, and even recreations 
of the sights and sounds of the landing, giving you a sobering experience of the scale of 
the operation. The second part is dedicated to the Overlord embroidery, one of the museum’s most 
significant treasures, which is comparable in historical importance to the Bayeux Tapestry. It’s 
over 83 m long. The embroidery tells the entire story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in just 
34 panels. It’s so interesting to see and again, so compelling and sobering. Lastly, mowed right 
outside of the museum, the LCT7074 or landing craft tank is a massive, impressive artifact that 
you are able to board and explore. It is so cool to be able to walk on the ship that displays two 
full-size military vehicles, giving the powerful sense of the once cramped conditions and that 
immense responsibility carried by the crew. Absolutely a must do when in Portsmouth. This 
museum is incredibly moving and it really does highlight the impact of loss and survival. It’s 
quite the powerful experience. Just a stones throw from the D-Day Museum, you can think about heading 
over to the aisle of white on the hovercraft on the seafront. The hovercraft is the fastest way 
to get over to the island in just 10 minutes and is the world’s longest running and only commercial 
operator still in Europe. With over 40 services a day traveling from South Sea to ride, you’ll have 
plenty of time to see some of the island and pop back to Portsmouth for dinner. The journey itself 
is quite fun. On a great day, you can see for miles with plenty of ship spotting on route, but 
if you don’t fancy going over there, just watching with the locals from the sidelines as it sets 
off and comes in is also an attraction in itself. Why not take a stroll along the seafront 
towards Clarence Pier for a quintessential British seaside amusement experience. The pier 
offering seasonal rides with coasters, games, and adventure golf. It’s never a dull time and 
the perfect spot for a hit of nostalgia and fun. Nearby, Canoe Lake offers pedal boat rentals, 
including swan boats, and a large playground, perfect for families to kick off some steam. 
You’ll normally find people around the water’s edge doing a spot of crabbing or using motorized 
boats. You can also visit the South Sea model village, a miniature model village built in 1956, 
which features around 40 mini houses, buildings, forts, and a castle, as well as stunning gardens, 
perfect for an afternoon to relax. Tucked away near the sea and around the area of Canoe Lake is 
this beautiful, unexpected haven. The walled rose garden is meticulously maintained and offers a 
quiet, fragrant escape from the beachfront bustle, a true sanctuary known primarily to local walkers. 
Just around the corner from the Rose Garden and connected to Canoe Lake, you’ll find a brilliant 
hidden attraction at Cumberland House, the Natural History Museum of Portsmouth, where you can take 
a walk through the A to Z of Natural History. Get up close with a huge dinosaur. And the best 
part is a visit to the wonderful butterfly house during May and September. With their huge array 
of neotropical butterflies and a host of stunning plants thriving in the greenhouse, you can sit and 
enjoy them flying around you. And even if you’re special, some might actually land on you. It’s 
mostly aimed at helping kids learn about natural history, but honestly, I’d say there is enough 
there for every age group and perfect if you have an hour or two. For those with a few hours 
to spend, it is well worth making a detour to the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. This huge 
building shows over 500 years of city history from nautical, silver smithing, and even Saxon 
artifacts. The museum has a special exhibit on all things Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 
and shows off the Pompey pride through its naval roots to its seafront charm. It really is like a 
time machine as it takes you back to the old days almost literally around every corner. There is no 
charge for admission and the museum operates on donations. They also have a lovely cafe and plenty 
of room to explore at your own pace. Nearby, places like Portchester Castle and Fort Nelson 
introduce a different yet equally crucial layer to the Portsmouth area’s history. They 
show how defense evolved from the Roman Empire right through to the Victorian era. these two key 
historical sites. Both make excellent half-day trips from the main city. We have actually visited 
both of these amazing sites in our previous videos. If you are interested, just have a look 
down below in the description box, but they are both a must-see for anyone who is interested in 
the evolution of warfare and military technology. Portsmouth is truly unique. Forget what you may 
see on TV. Yes, our high streets aren’t thriving, but this can be said for the whole of the UK. 
This is why we’ve given you this guide to show you there is so much more than meets the eye. 
The charm of the UK’s only island city is that you feel the sea everywhere. The salty air, the 
distant cry of goals, the constant hum of activity from its historic harbor. But while its naval 
heritage is undeniable and proudly displayed, Portsmouth is far from a dusty museum piece, it’s 
a living, hardworking city that keeps moving, keeps building, and keeps its creative eyes 
firmly on the horizon. This constant friction between the ancient and the hyper modern 
gives Portsmouth its signature energy. So, we hope that we’ve given you an idea of what 
you can experience in the city of Portsmouth. We would love to know if you have been here already 
or what you thought about it or if you are considering a trip. We would also like to give 
a thank you to our channel supporters and would love to give a big welcome and shout out to our 
newest Patron and channel member, James. If you would also like to be a part of the pin club, why 
not have a look in our description box or join us using the button below. Please don’t forget to 
hit on that like and subscribe button to help us further in continuing these guides and videos. 
So, we’ll see you in the next one. Till next time.

Portsmouth, located on England’s south coast in Hampshire, is a vibrant port city with a rich maritime heritage and a strong naval identity. Known as the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth has played a crucial role in British history for centuries.

The city’s historic dockyard is its crown jewel, home to legendary warships such as HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, the Tudor warship Mary Rose, and HMS Warrior, the world’s first iron-hulled battleship.

With its natural harbour and strategic location, Portsmouth became a centre of naval power, military innovation, and international trade. Its historic streets, naval fortifications like Southsea Castle, and seafront promenades reflect this proud seafaring legacy.

Portsmouth blends history with modern city life. The Spinnaker Tower dominates the skyline and offers panoramic views of the Solent, Isle of Wight, and historic dockyard. The city’s waterfront features shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions at Gunwharf Quays, while Old Portsmouth retains its cobbled streets, historic pubs, and sea views.

Southsea provides a classic seaside atmosphere with gardens, a pier, and museums. With theatres, galleries, independent shops, and a thriving student population thanks to the University of Portsmouth, the city is lively and full of character.

Our Destinations:
00:00 Introduction 📌
00:38 Old Portsmouth 📌
02:55 Royal Garrison Church 📌
03:26 Historic Dockyards 📌
04:25 Gunwharf Quays & Spinnaker Tower 📌
05:08 Portsmouth Cathedral 📌
05:59 Graffiti & Artwork 📌
06:51 Albert Road & King’s Theatre 📌
07:38 Southsea Castle 📌
08:36 D-Day Museum 📌
09:59 LCT7074 📌
10:43 Isle of Wight Hovercraft 📌
11:34 Clarence Pier 📌
11:56 Canoe Lake 📌
12:13 Southsea Model Village 📌
12:32 Southsea Rose Garden 📌
12:53 Portsmouth National History Museum 📌
13:45 Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery 📌
14:36 Portchester Castle & Fort Nelson 📌
15:19 Outro & Final Thoughts 📌

Portchester Castle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L16qICSw1YQ
Fort Nelson Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsmcXprPpYg
Fort Nelson Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jBTZFvrxU0

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