Head to Portsmouth and Gosport, the ideal fuss-free twin-centre break.
Where else will you find Henry VIII’s favourite ship, globally famous museums, water sports galore and fabulous shopping?
Visit Portsmouth and you’ll have escaped to the UK’s only island city, best observed from the 170-metre iconic Spinnaker Tower.
Discover Henry VIII’s Mary Rose warship, the past of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, take in a concert at the opulent Kings Theatre then bag a branded bargain at Gunwharf Quays, home to more than 90 premium outlets.
Be sure to visit HMS Victory, the Royal Navy's most famous warship, best known for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar. The visitor experience onboard HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as Nelson’s famous flagship from the Battle of Trafalgar is now brought alive with a hand-held audio guide.
Hop across the harbour to Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent and you’ll find a fascinating mix of maritime heritage, 24 miles of waterfront, safe panoramic beaches and water sports galore, all surrounded by scenic countryside walks and historic trails.
With the Royal Navy Submarine, Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower and The Museum of Diving lining the two-mile Waterfront Trail, there’s no shortage of family-friendly attractions. For romance, dine at any one of the great seafront restaurants for some of the most spectacular views.
If maritime history leaves you cold, head over to the Little Woodham 1642 Living History Village to encounter ‘villagers’ robed in period costumes, chat with a blacksmith potter, lace-makers and weavers, take the family on the second Saturday of the month, open from April to October.