Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. The local authority, Portsmouth City Council was given unitary authority district status in 1997. Wikipedia
"Portsmouth ( (listen)) is a port city primarily built on Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire, South East England. It is also known colloquially as Pompey, a nickname shared with HMNB Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Football Club. It is the United Kingdom's only island city. Portsmouth is situated 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 19 miles (31 km) south-east of Southampton. Portsmouth's population was recorded as 205,100 in the 2011 UK Census. The city forms part of the South Hampshire conurbation.
Portsmouth's history can be traced back to Roman Britain. A significant naval port for centuries, it has the world's oldest dry dock. Portsmouth was England's first line of defence during the 1545 French invasion. By the early nineteenth century, the world's first mass-production line was set up in Portsmouth Dockyard's Block Mills; this made it the world's most industrialised site, and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Portsmouth was the most heavily-fortified town in the world and was considered "the world's greatest naval port" at the height of the British Empire, during the Pax Britannica. The Palmerston Forts were built around Portsmouth in 1859 in anticipation of another invasion from continental Europe.
King Richard I first granted Portsmouth market town status on 2 May 1194 with a royal charter and a coat of arms, "a crescent of gold on a shade of azure, with a blazing star of eight points".
On 21 April 1926, Portsmouth was elevated from town to city status. Its motto, "Heaven's Light Our Guide" (referring to the city's eight-pointed star and crescent-moon emblem), was registered in 1929. The 800th anniversary of the royal charter was celebrated on 2 May 1994. Portsmouth became a unitary authority on 1 April 1997, with its city council gaining the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council previously held by Hampshire County Council.
The city was extensively bombed in World War II's Portsmouth Blitz (which resulted in the deaths of 930 people), and was the pivotal embarkation point for the 6 June 1944 D-Day landings. In 1982, a large proportion of the task force dispatched to liberate the Falkland Islands deployed from the city's naval base. Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia left the city to oversee the 1997 transfer of Hong Kong which, for many, marked the end of the British Empire.
HMNB Portsmouth, considered the home of the Royal Navy, is the base for two-thirds of the UK's surface fleet. The city has a number of famous ships, including HMS Warrior; the Tudor carrack Mary Rose, and Horatio Nelson's flagship HMS Victory (the world's oldest naval ship still in commission). The former HMS Vernon naval-shore establishment has been redeveloped as the Gunwharf Quays retail park. Portsmouth is among the few British cities with two cathedrals: the Anglican Cathedral of St Thomas and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Evangelist. The waterfront and Portsmouth Harbour are dominated by the Spinnaker Tower, one of the United Kingdom's tallest structures at 170 metres (560 ft). Southsea is a seaside resort with an amusement arcade on Clarence Pier.
Portsmouth F.C., the city's professional football club, play their home games at Fratton Park in Milton. Portsmouth has good road and rail links to London and the south of England. Portsmouth International Port is a commercial cruise-ship and international ferry port. It is the UK's second-busiest port (after Dover), handling about three million passengers a year. The University of Portsmouth has a student population of 23,000. Portsmouth is the birthplace of author Charles Dickens, engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and former Prime Minister James Callaghan." Wikipedia
Latest Reviews
Portsmouth
5.0
The city of portsmouth has a vast array of facilities and activities for sailors. It has a small marina Gunwharf Quays immediately near the shopping centre. And several larger marina's close by.
Gunwharf Quay Marina
3.8
This marina is a little pokey, and spaces are limited meaning you have to book ahead. The marina facilities are a short walk away near the foot of the spinnaker tower and are quite basic. The best thing though is the location of the mooring to the quayside.
Portsmouth
3.8
Portsmouth isn't the prettiest of towns but it has some interesting culture. It's a good place to head over to Cowes!
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Nearby facilities
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![]() 1 . RS Divers2.5RSDIVERS' AIM IS TO PROVIDE THE UK'S BEST COMMERCIAL DIVING SERVICES IN COASTAL WATERS, INLAND WATERWAYS, LAKES, RESERVOIRS AND POOLS USING OUR EXPERT, HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF DIVERS. Based on th... |
![]() 2 . Nomad Sailing3.5Nomad Sailing have two matched Jeanneau Sunfast 37 yachts available for charter - Nomad 1 and Menai III. Both yachts are fully equipped, well maintained and clean. The yachts are located at Gospor... |
![]() 3 . SeaLift 32.5We operate one of our docks at Haslar Marina, Gosport, UK where we provide the fastest and most cost effective marine services in the industry. These include a one hour lift, pressure wash and rel... |
![]() 4 . Solent yacht Charter2.5Solent Yacht charter offer a variety of craft for bareboat charter, including sailing yachts from 36 to 50 foot, or high speed motorboats and RIBs. All boats are comprehensively equipped and compl... |
![]() 5 . Gosport Boat Yard Ltd2.5Our yard is situated in Harbour Road, immediately adjacent to Gosport Marina and just a short distance from Haslar Marina and Royal Clarence Marina. It was purchased in 1973 by Chris Haddock from t... |
![]() 6 . Marine Superstore3.8Marine Super Store Limited is a Portsmouth based chandlery, operating from a 10000 sq. ft. store. We stock a wide range of technical waterproof clothing, marine electronics and general chandlery pr... |
![]() 7 . Sunsail Yacht Charter4.1Sunsail have been at the forefront of sailing vacations for over forty years. Since our very first Flotilla set sail from Aegina in the Saronic Gulf in 1974, we've expanded to destinations across t... |
![]() 8 . Hayling Yacht Company2.5Welcome to the Hayling Yacht Company. Our family owned business has generations of experience providing expert boat repairs, osmosis treatments, winter boat storage and marina berths. With so ma... |
![]() 9 . Hamble Point Yacht Charters2.5In addition to yacht charter – both bareboat and skippered – and corporate sailing events, we offer private sail training and scheduled sailing courses as well as organising numerous events thr... |
![]() 10 . Yachtwork2.5Yacht Work specialise in Yacht Repair and Yacht Survey solutions. We provide the best support and advice to a wide range of projects for clients who require Yacht Repairs and Marine Surveys. Our s... |
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Nearby Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages
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![]() 1 . Gunwharf Quay Marina3.1Fantastically located at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, beneath the iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays Marina offers immediate access to the Solent and some of the best sailing and c... |
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![]() 3 . Gosport Marina2.5Just 500m from the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, Gosport Marina offers immediate access to the Solent and with it the opportunity to experience all the delights of boating on the South Coast. A wort... |
![]() 4 . Haslar Marina3.8The friendly atmosphere at Haslar Marina is supported by the active Haslar Yacht Club, helpful on-site businesses and bars, and the can-do approach of our staff. Some of our berth holders have been... |
![]() 5 . Royal Clarence Marina2.5Once the Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Royal Clarence is a deep water marina of 145 berths, accessible at all states of the tide. Its fantastic sheltered position, close to the mouth of Portsmouth h... |
![]() 6 . Southsea Marina2.5Nestling on the Eastney Peninsula, in the quieter reaches of Langstone Harbour, Southsea Marina is perfectly located for exploring the delights of the Solent. A friendly, working marina, ideal for ... |
![]() 7 . Port Solent Marina3.7Port Solent is at the northern most point of Portsmouth Harbour some 45minutes of motoring up a dredged channel. The marina provides excellent shelter and facilities. Port Solent is a worthy recipi... |
![]() 8 . Ryde Harbour2.5Ryde Harbour is situated on the seafront on the north-east coast of the Isle of Wight. The Harbour is ideal for family cruising holidays as it is located next to Ryde's long sandy beaches and only... |
![]() 9 . Northney Marina2.5Northney Marina is situated on the north shore of Hayling Island within Chichester Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in Europe. The facilities at this 228-berth marina include a relax... |
![]() 10 . Sparkes Marina2.5Sparkes Marina, on the south-east tip of Hayling Island, lies within Chichester Harbour – one of Europe's largest natural harbours. The area is famous for its birds and marine life and stunning s... |
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![]() 13 . Bembridge Marina2.5Access to the Harbour is restricted to High Water + or - 3 hrs for vessels drawing 1.5m. Bembridge Marina, home to 80 permanent berth holders, has a taxi landing spot and is the stop off for the Br... |
![]() 14 . Emsworth Marina2.5We have 225 fully serviced pontoon berths arranged on five pontoons, A, B, C, D and Dock together with a visitor pontoon for five or six boats. All the pontoon walkways and fingers have been renewe... |
![]() 15 . Whitegates Pontoons Harbour2.5Visitor moorings just past the Chain Ferry on the port side. You will need to use the water taxis or your dinghy to get ashore. These moorings are quiet and ideal for craft wishing to stay overnigh... |
![]() 16 . Shepards Wharf Marina2.5Short-term and overnight berthing managed and run by friendly staff who know and love their local area and whose mission is to help you draw the best from your boating experiences. Wide water acces... |
![]() 17 . Cowes Yacht Haven Marina3.8Cowes Yacht Haven represents the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Whether you are looking to berth your boat or entertain corporate clients in a unique setting, Cowes Yacht Haven has it all. Ce... |
![]() 18 . Town Quay Harbour2.5Adjacent to the Red Jet terminal and in front of the Cowes Harbour Office providing easy, walk-ashore access direct to Cowes High Street. Vessels of up to 7m in length are permitted to use the pont... |
![]() 19 . Trinity Landing Harbour2.5Trinity Landing is located just inside the entrance to Cowes Harbour and provides walk-ashore access to the heart of Cowes. It is often used as a landing point for visiting vessels. |
![]() 20 . East Cowes Marina3.7With the exception of a few berths, the marina is dredged to 2m. We've happily moored Clipper round-the-world yachts, Swan 60s and even a Volvo 70. Very deep draught yachts should check clearance a... |
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Nearby Towns
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1 . Gosport
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4 . Lee-on-the-Solent
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6 . Fareham
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7 . Ryde
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9 . St. Helens, Ryde
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10 . Emsworth
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11 . Bembridge
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12 . East Cowes
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13 . Cowes
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15 . Warsash
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16 . Bosham
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17 . Sandown
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18 . Lower Swanwick
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19 . Hamble
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20 . Birdham
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Journeys from Portsmouth
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