Escape to Portsmouth in 2025

Escape to Portsmouth, the vibrant and historic waterfront city that's perfect for a quick getaway. With direct train links from London via South Western Railway in just 90 minutes, and regular services from locations across the South east and beyond, it's easier than you might think to get to the UK's only island city.

As well as offering a straightforward route into Portsmouth from London and the surrounds, South Western Railway also offers it SWR Rewards platform, so you can get discounted entry to top attractions once you get here.

Once you arrive there's much to enjoy.

Gunwharf Quays

How about a trip to Gunwharf Quays, the 'waterfront outlet centre'? Here you'll find more than 90 outlet stores located at the water's edge. Some of the biggest and best-loved brands are present, among them Coach, Musto, Le Creuset, Rituals and The North Face. Get kitted out in the latest sportswear from Nike, Adidas, Puma and others, or treat yourself to a sweet pick-me-up from the Cadbury, Lindt or Haribo stores.

Once you're all shopped out, relax at one of the 30+ bars and restaurants also on-site at Gunwharf Quays. A world of flavour awaits, with options that include Giggling Squid, Brasserie Blanc, Nando's and Wagamama. There's also a host of coffee shops and a range of bars open until the small hours.

If all that wasn't enough, Gunwharf Quays is also home to a playground for the youngsters, multiplex cinema, bowling alley, casino, contemporary art gallery and more. It's also where you can find Spinnaker Tower, the popular attraction and bona fide emblem of modern Portsmouth.

See all there is to explore on the Gunwharf Quays website.

   

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Take a journey 500 years in the making at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. True icons of naval history are waiting to be explored, with one ticket getting you entry to every single one.

Get up close to Henry VIII's beloved flagship at the world-class Mary Rose museum. If you went on a school trip and haven't been since then you won't believe the difference! Long gone are the porthole windows and pipes - what you now get is a full, unobstructed view of the Tudor warship that lay on the seabed for over four centuries. You can even go through an air lock to be in the same room as the ship.

The icons continue with HMS Victory - the world's oldest naval warship still in commission and pride of Nelson's fleet. Rather than watch from afar or through glass, Victory is a museum exhibit that you can climb aboard. Walk around the historic rooms and even stand at the very spot where Nelson fell during battle.

STEM students and anyone with an interest in science will also find much to enjoy with HMS Victory Live: The Big Repair. As the ship undergoes some essential maintenance, the expert work of shipwrights and conservationists is being put front and centre. See what goes into this huge job and how the latest technologies are being used to keep this historic vessel shipshape.

Those are just two of the nine attractions on offer at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - there's also HMS Warrior, HMS M.33, HMS Alliance, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and plenty more besides.

Plan your trip and see what else you can explore on the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Mary Rose websites.

   

Emirates Sail GP

There are boats of a much newer vintage headed to Portsmouth in July for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix. Some of the world's best sailors will head out onto the Solent for fast and furious battles across a series of short, intense races. A fleet of 12 hydrofoiling F50 catamarans (capable of speeds approaching 100 km/h) will compete for the SailGP title.

UK hopes rest on the shoulders of team Emirates GBR, which features Sir Ben Ainslie as CEO. Olympic gold medallist, Moth world champion and America's Cup helm Dylan Fletcher will be driver, going alongside Olympic gold medallists Hannah Mills and Iain Jensen, plus three-time America's Cup athletes Neil Hunter, Nick Hutton and Luke Parkinson.

As well as all the on-water thrills and spills there will be plenty for the spectators on dry land. There's the grandstand to watch all the action unfold, then a packed event programme offering live entertainment, a race village and even the chance to see the F50s up close.

Be sure to bookmark the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix website for all the details and updates.

   

Victorious Festival

The fun keeps coming as we head into August, as Victorious Festival returns to Southsea Common over the bank holiday weekend. Hundreds of the best live acts around head to Portsmouth for three-days of festivities - with this year's headliners being Kings of Leon, Vampire Weekend and Queens of the Stone Age.

Elsewhere on the line up you have Rizzle Kicks, Michael Kiwanuka, Nelly Furtado, Gabrielle, Bloc Party, Craig David and plenty more besides. The comedy offering is also chock-full of star names, among them Joel Dommett, Ruby Wax and Chris McCausland.

As well as all the fun for grown-ups there's much for youngsters to enjoy as well. In fact, there's an entire Kids Arena, with fairground rides, attractions, live music stages and a whole host of fun.

Buy your tickets on the Victorious Festival website.

   

There really is much to enjoy at the water's edge this year. Our event listings have full details on all that's going on, whilst the Things To Do pages detail the city's top attractions. Need a place to stay? See our accommodation listings to find the best choice for your needs - and don't forget you can build your own bespoke itinerary by clicking the heart icon next to any listing.

Header image credit - Marcin Jedrysiak Photography