Car Hire Portsmouth - Mini guide to Portsmouth

Known as the Flagship City and located on the the Solent - the wide waterway between England’s Hampshire coast and the Isle of Wight, the city of Portsmouth is an excellent holiday centre for discovering the heritage and of Maritime England. Offering historic ships, castles, forts and museums as well as beaches, coastal walks and easy access to Hampshire’s beautiful countryside, the city offers something for everyone.

Of the chief attractions the Royal Dockyard is justifiably popular, housing Henry VIII's Mary Rose, Nelson's flagship HMS Victory and the Victorian iron-clad HMS Warrior (1860). The city is also packed with fascinating museums, including the D-Day Museum, Royal Navy Museum and the Charles Dicken’s Birthplace Museum, to name a few.

The city, located on the east of Portsmouth’s natural harbour, is made up of the city centre, with its 13C cathedral and shopping centres and the beachfront area of Southsea, offering long, sandy beaches backed by a promenade. It is also home to Henry VIII’s 16C Southsea Castle, as well as the docks area, home to many of the city’s nautical attractions and museums.

Gunwharf Quays is noteworthy place for shopping, with world class waterfront views combined with an irresistible mix of designer shopping, outstanding restaurants, bars, entertainment venues. Southsea also offers a host of restaurants, pubs, and clubs, while culture lovers can enjoy a generous selection of theatres, cinemas and arts centres. For relaxation, adjacent to the beach and promenade, Southsea Common is a vast open space ideal for kite flying, picnics and informal ball games.

For a break from the city, there are numerous day trip options. Hiring a car, and taking the ferry over to the Isle of Wight is particularly rewarding. Here you can explore the beaches, enjoy coastal walks or visit Osbourne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite country house. Alternatively, head inland, and discover Hampshire’s picturesque villages and rolling scenery.

Portsmouth is well connected by road and rail to London, and Gatwick Airport (approximately 2 hours away) offers of host international air connections.

The major suburbs in Portsmouth are: Cosham, Copnor, Drayton, Portsea, Farlington, Hilsea and Wymering.