Family-friendly trips

There’s something to suit all ages on a trip to Portsmouth, so you can be sure the whole family will  be kept entertained all through your visit. Whether you’ve got youngsters needing to burn some energy, relatives who want to spend hours reading through the city’s maritime history, or you simply want to find somewhere welcoming for you all to eat and stay, there’s definitely something to suit.

Discover Portsmouth’s maritime heritage

Portsmouth’s links with the Royal Navy are well documented, which makes a trip to the Historic Dockyard top of the list for many. Whether it’s to stand on the very spot where Admiral Nelson was shot on HMS Victory, take a tour of the majestic HMS Warrior 1860 or to marvel at the remains of the Mary Rose, it has proved a huge draw for families across the generations.

Don’t just think this is something for the history buffs, though. There are fun activities for all ages to get involved with at the Mary Rose Museum, whilst Action Stations (included on a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard) is an adrenaline-packed adventure zone for youngsters to challenge themselves against Royal Marine Commando skills.

You can also take a boat trip around the harbour to view some of the navy’s more recent commissions. Factor in a trip across the water to Gosport’s Submarine Museum and you’ll most certainly need more than one day to explore all that is on offer.

Enjoy a summer of waterfront events and festivals in Portsmouth

As well as world-class attractions, excellent shopping and great history and heritage Portsmouth has a year-round programme of waterfront events.

Victorious Festival is one of the most family-friendly events of its kind currently in operation, with an entire Kids Arena dedicated to family-friendly activities. Inside you’ll find fairground ride, stalls from the big city attractions, and those all-important live performances.

There’s also world-class sailing events taking place on the Solent. Ben Ainslie and his team have contested the America's Cup World Series off the Southsea coast, and plans are afoot to encourage more large-scale racing events to head to the waters off Portsmouth. It’s the perfect way to get the youngsters not just interested in sailing, but the fascinating engineering that goes into helping these boats fly – literally!

Take a walk around the tourist hotspots

In Southsea you can discover a treasure trove of quaint independent shops, cafes and tea rooms. There's also a huge variety of restaurants and bars, with children’s menu options to choose from so everyone is happy. After you've explored Southsea, take a walk along the historic Millennium Trail into Gunwharf Quays, where you'll find even more great shops, family-friendly restaurants, a cinema, bowling alley and even a contemporary art gallery. It’s also where you’ll find the iconic Spinnaker Tower – with its breath-taking views and children’s activities.

With great accommodation choices from three and four star and boutique hotels to budget options and B&Bs, Portsmouth caters to all ages and group sizes – making it perfect for a short break with the whole family.