Portsmouth’s Story

Our city is bursting with history, all part of the view from Spinnaker Tower. From its connections with royalty to its long-standing role as home to the Royal Navy, there’s so much to discover and so many stories to tell.

Portsmouth was founded around 1180 when Jean de Gisors set up a small settlement on Portsea Island. In 1194, Richard the Lionheart gave the city its first charter.

Since then, Portsmouth has been part of many big historical events. Admiral Nelson’s famous Battle of Trafalgar, the First Fleet’s journey to Australia, and the D-Day Landings all have ties to the city.

The fortifications that now define many areas of the city have their origins in the 14th century. With England almost always at war with France, Portsmouth bore the brunt – apparently being burned down four times between 1338 and 1380. The result was to build walls around the city – shortly followed by the Round Tower, which could fire at enemy ships making their way up the Solent.

About 100 years later, Henry VII built the Square Tower and started the dockyard, changing the city forever. Henry VIII, his son, helped design Southsea Castle and expanded the navy to a full fleet!

During World War II, many troops left from Portsmouth for D-Day. The city was heavily bombed but played a key role in the war effort, which eventually led to Germany’s surrender.

You can explore Portsmouth’s history in its many museums. The Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery focuses on local history, while The D-Day Story shares personal experiences from the Normandy Landings. The Historic Dockyard and The Mary Rose exhibit the city’s naval past.

History isn’t just in the museums, though. All around Portsmouth, you’ll find remnants of its past. The Hotwalls Studios, now trendy designer workshops, were once part of the city’s defences. The Solent Forts commissioned by Palmerston to defend the UK from invasion by the French. It was, of course, an invasion that never came, which led to them being routinely referred to since then as ‘Palmerston’s Follies’.

A visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers a captivating journey through naval history, where you can board historic ships and explore impressive museums showcasing the Royal Navy’s heritage. Step aboard HMS Victory to see Nelson’s legendary warship, or marvel at Henry VIII’s favourite ship at the Mary Rose Museum. Dive into the depths with HMS Alliance or embark on a Harbour Tour to witness a working naval base from the water. Delve into the Georgian Navy’s history at The National Museum of the Royal Navy, witness traditional boat building at Boathouse 4, and learn about naval armaments at the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.

The D-Day Story is the only UK museum dedicated to telling the events of 6th June 1944 through objects, interactives and video from the perspectives and accounts of those who were there.  Divided into three distinct parts, the museum visit includes access onboard LCT 7074, the last surviving landing craft tank in the world which carried up to ten tanks during the Normandy landings and the impressive 83 metre Overlord Embroidery.

2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings – more commonly known as D-Day. The operation on 6 June 1944 saw tens of thousands of soldiers cross the channel (a great many of them departing from Portsmouth) for a daring and dangerous operation to liberate occupied France. Now, some 80 years on, the United Kingdom and its WW2 allies are coming together to remember the operation and all those who took part.

There will be a host of commemorative events taking place on both sides of the channel to mark D-Day 80. In Portsmouth there will be a large-scale event taking place on Southsea Common and broadcast live to the world on the BBC. It will be followed by commemorative events over in Normandy, where the French president has invited world leaders to honour those involved in D-Day.

D-Day veterans will be at the heart of the event, which will also feature military musicians, a Royal Air Force flypast and moving tributes from special guests. The Red Arrows have also confirmed their involvement, and there will be a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Victorious Festival, a three day music festival brings live music, comedy and family entertainment to Southsea seafront every year in August. Founded in 2011.

Victorious Festival 2024 brings the best live music, comedy and family entertainment to Southsea Common on 23, 24 and 25 August.

This year’s event will be headlined by Fatboy Slim, Jamie T and Biffy Clyro, with Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, Courteeners, Wet Leg, Pixies, Sugababes, Idles, Jess Glynne, Louis Tomlinson, Arlo Parks, James Bay and more helping complete the line up. The afternoon special guests this year are Razorlight, Tom Walker and The Kooks.

There are more big names on offer at the Comedy Tent, which will feature superstar standups Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle and Al Murray as its headliners – with more to be announced.

Of course, there’s also a whole host of all-ages entertainment in the Family Arena. Expect live music, fairground rides and stalls from some of the city’s top attractions for youngsters to get involved with. It’s no surprise that the UK Festival Awards has previously shortlisted Victorious in the ‘Best Family Festival’ category.

Plus, don’t forget the many other stages featuring world music, acoustic sets from big names, and the best in local and up-coming talent.

Waterfront, shopping, dining and entertainment at Gunwharf Quays is a must.

Uniquely positioned in a harbour front location in the heart of Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays is the South’s leading designer shopping outlet. Over 30 restaurants, bars and coffee shops, Gunwharf Quays is a unique and vibrant shopping and leisure destination.

Set right on the beautiful Solent waterfront, it is the ideal place to explore, shop, dine and take in the exciting sights of this historic coastal city.