As Britain has such a wealth of tourist destinations available it’s often easy to overlook those that are off the beaten track. One such destination is Portsmouth, as the second largest city in Hampshire, it’s known as “the great waterfront city” and is located on the south coast of England. There are a lot of exciting places to do in and around the city, including visiting Spinnaker Tower, a recent addition to the city.
Spinnaker Tower is a 170-metre landmark tower. Residents of Portsmouth actually got to choose the shape of the tower, and it opened in October 2005. With 3 different view decks allowing you to see everything from the beaches of the Witterings to the countryside of the New Forest, the views are definitely a sight to see. The breathtaking 350 degree panoramic views allow you to take in all the beautiful sites in the same place.
If you’re looking for some fun in the sun in Portsmouth, Southsea beach has many adventures. Clarence Pier, right along the beach, is one of the largest piers on the south coast and has over 14 rides and attractions. There’s also 3 indoor family entertainment centres, and plenty of delicious restaurants to satisfy your hunger after a day of fun. Also located on Southsea beach is the D-Day Museum, where you can learnall about the D-Day landings in Normandy. Southsea Town Centre is also nearby, where you can check out many stylish boutiques.
For more waterfront adventures in Portsmouth, check out the historic Canoe Lake. Established in 1886, Canoe Lake allows you to rent pedal boats and take a trip out onto the waters. There’s also a sizeable play area for children of all ages, which also includes a water area so the little ones can also have some fun in the water. The lake is so beautiful that even the Mute Swans choose to congregate there in the wintertime. There’s also plenty of sporting activities, everything from a 9 hole golf course, a cricket field, bowling greens, and a tennis court.
If you’re looking for things to do that are a little drier, perhaps a trip to the Natural History Museum is in order. This museum introduces you to the many wildlife in the area, including wildlife of the Chalk downland at Portsdown Hill and the birdlife of the famous wetland, Farlington Marshes. In the summertime, watch beautiful butterflies fly in the butterfly house that overlooks the museum garden.
As always, trips can be a little heavy on the wallet. Beforehand, make sure you make a little time for ‘bargain-hunting’ to your trip. Look around for the best deals on hotels and find coupons and discounts for the many places you’ll visit, including discounts for your tickets to Spinnaker Tower.