Victorious Festival - Extend your stay and discover more

Much like Reading and Leeds, Victorious Festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Very much unlike R&L, though, it’s a daytime-only event with no camping. This has myriad benefits, not just because it means you don't have to sleep next to hundreds of thousands of other people - precious few of whom have showered in a week - with little more than a couple of flysheets separating you.

It means that, come the Bank Holiday Monday, the minds of Victorious festivalgoers aren't taken up exclusively by thoughts of getting out of the field and into somewhere with flushing toilets, hot showers and washing machines. In short, there's more freedom to spend the Bank Holiday enjoying yourself.

So if you're making a trip down to Portsmouth for the festivities, why head straight home after the last chord has rung out? Instead, take a little time to enjoy some of the other attractions that Britain's only island city can offer.

Music and the arts

Did you know, for example, that the Pink Floyd masterpiece 'Dark Side of the Moon' had its maiden airing at Portsmouth Guildhall? On January 21 1972, the band treated audience members to a full run-through of what would go on to become one of the most successful and revered albums of all time. Information and memorabilia on this and some of the other superstars who have taken to the Guildhall stage are on display at the Portsmouth Music Experience. It includes posters, tickets and photos from some huge-name bands that appeared over the years, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and more.

Sticking with classic rock, how about visiting the place where Elton John and Roger Daltrey battled it out in the Pinball Wizard sequence of The Who's rock opera Tommy? The iconic scene was filmed at The Kings Theatre Southsea, which is still going strong today. It attracts many touring plays and comedians, thanks in no small part to it being designed by the world-renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham.

To be blessed with one Matcham theatre is fortunate; to have two seems downright greedy. However, that's the enviable position in which Portsmouth finds itself, as the New Theatre Royal (mere steps away from the Guildhall) was also designed by the eminent architect. Somewhat smaller than the Kings, the NTR hosts music, comedy and drama in both its main room and the new Minghella Studio.

Rest and relaxation

Of course, after a weekend of dancing, live music and long periods on your feet, something more restful may be on the cards. Fear not, as Portsmouth is as blessed with relaxation spots as it is with cultural haunts.

Fancy a short swim and maybe a few spa treatments? The Pyramids Centre - visible from the Victorious site - will be your post-festival haven. There are splash pools and slides for the youngsters, as well as steam rooms, a salt grotto and foot spa for the adults. To go more luxurious still, book yourself a facial, massage or nail treatment - or even treat those overworked feet to a pedicure. Failing that, if the weekend's exertions still weren't enough to tire you, there's also a gym.

Good grub

It might just be that you're happy enough (after a weekend of eating cheeseburgers and falafel wraps on the go) to spend your time having a nice sit-down meal. Gunwharf Quays has all the usual suspects on offer; including Café Rouge, Wagamama, Carluccio's, Zizzi and more. For more independent eats, seek out the hotspots of Albert Road or Osborne Road. The former is an Asian food paradise, with a plethora of Indian and Chinese restaurants; the latter a heady mix of tapas, pizza and American places (among others).

Gunwharf doesn't just have food outlets - there are plenty of shopping ones as well. If you want to get some bank holiday bargains, you really need look no further. The likes of Nike, Joules, M&S, HMV and The Body Shop have outlets here, offering up to 60% off RRP. There's also the Spinnaker Tower, which has three viewing platforms, offering 350-degree views for up to 23 miles. To get a real feel for the conditions 100+ metres up, head to the top deck (the 'Crow's Nest') as it's exposed to the elements and can get rather blustery.

A quiet drink

Once you're all shopped out, it's well worth taking the short stroll (along the very well-signposted Millennium Promenade walk) to Old Portsmouth. This historic part of the city is resplendent with cobbled back streets, historic fortifications and a good few pubs overlooking the Solent. To recover from the chaos of 60,000 festivalgoers, there's little better than a spot of food and drink whilst boats sail by.

Old Portsmouth is also home to Land Rover BAR - the site of Sir Ben Ainslie's racing team. As you'd expect from a team lead by Britain's most successful sailor, they've done well in the challenge for America's Cup glory, having won both regattas held on these shores. Inside the sleek, modern building is a Tech Deck where visitors can learn all about how Sir Ben's catamarans fly.

For more great views head just a touch further along to The Canteen. This artisan eaterie forms the centrepiece of the newly renovated Hotwalls area. What was once some disused arches is now the 'Hotwalls Studios', a thriving arts hub featuring 13 working studios, where you can go and watch local designers, artists and makers craft their wares. If you see something you like, you can buy it there and then. A sojourn around the galleries should always be topped off with a coffee - and maybe even a pastry - at The Canteen. But be warned if you sit outside at high tide, the water displacement from passing ferries causes waves that might just give you a surprise!

Of course, all of the above is far too much to fit into one Bank Holiday Monday. It could even pack out a whole week. Either way, there's certainly more to Portsmouth over the long weekend than Victorious alone. If you're making a rather sizeable journey to get to the festival (or even just popping round the corner), why not extend your trip and see some of the other brilliant attractions that Portsmouth has to offer?