| Portsmouth is an island city
on the coast of Southern England, and because of its sheltered
location (The Isle of Wight protects it from the winds of
the South and Portsdown hill protect it from the North).
The weather is milder than other parts of England. The average
daily temperature is 20°C during the summer months,
falling to 12°C in winter. Rainfall is lower than the
national average and snow is very rare the last big fall
being 1982.
Portsmouth has daily Ferry crossings to Europe, France,
Spain, Jersey and Guernsey. Crossings to the Isle of Wight
are ever 30 minutes or so depending on how you want to
go. The car ferry runs every 30 minutes, the catamaran
runs every 20 and the Hovercraft runs every 15 minutes.
The Solent has a reputation as one of the Worlds most
popular sailing venues. During August each year you can
see the boats racing during Cowes’s week from the
sea front at Southsea. Global Challenge 2004/2005 left
from Portsmouth on Sunday 3rd October 2004, 12 identical
72ft ocean racing yachts sailed from Portsmouth. They
will finish at Portsmouth on the 17th July 2005. If you
like sailing you will love Portsmouth.
With its historic ships, castles, forts and museums,
you can explore the heritage of Maritime England. At Portsmouth's
Royal Dockyard - home of the Royal Navy for centuries
displays three famous ships from the history of sea warfare.
In 1545 Henry VIII's flagship the 'Mary Rose' sank before
his eyes in Portsmouth Harbour on its way to fight the
French. It was recovered from the seabed in 1982 and now
you can see her for yourself at the Historic Dockyard
as well as HMS Victory the flagship of Lord Nelson, see
the spot where Nelson died. The Dockyard is also home
to HMS Warrior, The Royal Naval Museum, the Dockyard Apprentice
Exhibition and Action Stations.
From the Seafront in Southsea you can walk along the
Millennium path, which takes you around Old Portsmouth
and its fishing port, along to Gunwharf Quays where the
old and the new come together. You can shop at over 85
designer outlets, eat at one of 20 or so bars & restaurants,
or go to the cinema.
Other attractions in Portsmouth include Henry VIII Castle,
Charles Dickens Birthplace, The Round Towers, D-Day Museum,
The Pyramids, Fort Nelson, Royal Marines Museum, The Submarine
museum, Portchester castle, Port Solent, Continental Ferries,
and many more.
Look through these web pages and find out more about
Portsmouth and its history. Use the links on the left
to explore this site. |