Portsmouth is located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. It is commonly nicknamed Pompey. A significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world’s oldest dry dock still in use and home to many famous ships, which includes Nelson’s famous flagship HMS Victory.
Portsmouth has declined as a military port in recent years but remains a major dockyard and base for the Royal Navy. There is also a commercial port serving destinations on the continent for freight and passenger traffic.
Walking along the public waterfront, AKA the hard…
Boats to the left with Spinnaker Tower in the background
Spinnaker Tower
The Spinnaker Tower is a 170 m high tower and is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a large National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concept designs.
The tower, designed by local firm HGP Architects and the engineering consultants Scott Wilson and built by Mowlem, reflects Portsmouth’s maritime history by being modeled after a sail. After several years of delays and a massive budget overspend, it was officially opened on 18 October 2005.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard allows you to discover the world famous historic ships – H.M.S Victory, the Mary Rose, and H.M.S Warrior 1860 that have shaped British history at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Other attractions include The Royal Naval Museum, with a new Exhibition “Dreadnoughts – The Ships and the Men who Built, Lived and Fought in them”, and Action Stations with the brand new interactive gallery InterAction detailing the science and technology used by the modern Royal Navy.
Entrance – Spinnaker Tower (left), Anchors (back), H.M.S Warrior (far back)
Figurehead of H.M.S Benbow, 72 guns launched at rotherhithe in 1813
Mary Rose Ship Hall, over causeway at the stern of H.M.S Victory
The Porter’s Garden, not many flowers in winter though
Magpies are a common sight – personally, I think they are beautiful
