From the proud, historic warships facing off across the dockyard to the ultra-modern eateries at the top of the harbour’s Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth is home to the past and future of waterfront wonders. Awash (quite literally) with maritime heritage, its famous dock is the heart of the city, but around it has grown a vibrant modern centre of culture, entertainment, art galleries, shopping and dining that makes Portsmouth the perfect destination for a fantastic day out on the waves or an unforgettable night out on the tiles.
Portsmouth Travel links
Portsmouth is well-connected by train to other major cities and towns in the UK. If you're coming from London, it's relatively easy to reach Portsmouth by train. There are direct train services from London Waterloo, and the journey typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
There are regular direct train services from Southampton Central Station to Portsmouth. The journey typically takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on the type of train you take.
Book a train ticket to one of Portsmouth’s two mainline railway stations, Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth & Southsea. The latter is the gateway to the city centre, where plenty of buses and taxis will whisk you on your way to the nearby theatres, concert venues and shopping arcades – why not pick up a great-value PlusBus add-on with your ticket, granting you unlimited bus travel throughout the town? Portsmouth Harbour, handy for the Mary Rose museum and the galleries and shops at Gunwharf Quays, is the place to get your sea legs on – Wightlink Ferries operate services from the end of the station platforms to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, Gosport Ferry’s pontoon is just a short walk from the station, while Hovertravel’s hovercraft zoom across the Solent from the nearby Gunwharf Terminal.
First port of call for any landlubber hitting this pride of the south coast should be Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, bobbing with legends of naval military history. Enjoying pride of place since 1812 is the spectacular HMS Victory, Vice-Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar and now a living museum to the Georgian navy – arrive early to beat the queues and check the diary to see if it’s hosting one of its sporadic rum dinners while you’re in town. Britain’s first ironclad warship, HMS Warrior, is moored here too, and Tudor buffs shouldn’t miss a tour around the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s flagship, which mysteriously sank in 1545 only to be raised again in 1982.
More modern waterfront treats await at the neon needle of Spinnaker Tower, designed in the shape of a sail and boasting panoramic restaurants, a sky walk and – for hardcore thrill-seekers – a 100-metre abseil straight down the side.
Cultured types might like to take in the 12th century St Thomas’ Anglican Cathedral in Old Portsmouth, and bookworms should visit the birthplace of Charles Dickens or the museum dedicated to another one-time resident, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which includes the world’s largest collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia. If you are looking for more ideas about what to in Portsmouth, read our blog “48 hours in Portsmouth”.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Shopping in Portsmouth
After touring Portsmouth’s seafaring gems, why not hit its nearby jewel of entertainment and retail at Gunwharf Quays? A stylish enclave of 90 high-end designer fashion boutiques, late night bars, cafés, gyms and modern art galleries like Aspex, it also includes a Hollywood Bowl, Vue cinema and casino, where Portsmouth’s high rollers fling chips like there’s no tomorrow. Further into town the Cascades Shopping Centre collects plenty of high street chains near Portsmouth & Southsea station, while Palmerston Road in Southsea offers antique and vintage shops nestled between independent bars and restaurants, plus regular markets and festivals.
Eating out in Portsmouth
Brasserie Blanc in Gunwharf Quays is the perfect destination for the whole family after a spot of shopping or for couples on a night out.
Sant Yago on Clarendon Road is a quirky cocktail nook where the hipper locals sample tables full of stunning contemporary tapas, and music lovers should rock up to Pie & Vinyl, where you can browse the vinyl aisles or watch up-and-coming bands between mouthfuls of band-themed pies. We recommend the ‘Satay-Day Night Fever’.
Hotels in Portsmouth
The Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa is situated right on the waterfront in a private marina in and a stay here is like staying on board a luxury liner.
Prefer sleeping on dry land? Try Southsea’s unique modern-classical Number Four boutique hotel with a sister gastropub, The Florence Arms, 10 minutes walk away. Number Four is part of the Mercer Collection of classy and fabulous Portsmouth boutique hotels – equally as stylish are The Florence House, Somerset House and Edwardian, adults-only Clarence Hotel on the esplanade.
Travelling by train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour cost as little as £9.70 if you book in advance. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
How much is a train ticket from Portsmouth to Winchester?
Travelling by train from Portsmouth Harbour to Winchester can cost as little as £11.00 if you get evening out ticket. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
How long does it take to travel from London to Portsmouth?
The average travel time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes. However, keep in mind that travel times on weekends and holidays may be longer. To find out the exact travel time for a specific date, please visit our Train Times page.
Is there a direct train from London to Portsmouth?
You can save money by buying off-peak tickets. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and see if you can save even more with a Railcard . If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave. And don’t forget to check out SWR Rewards hubfor exclusive discounts on dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays, days out and much more.
What time does the first direct train from London to Portsmouth depart?
