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Walkable Portsmouth

A walkable Portsmouth itinerary

Portsmouth is flat and compact, with a great many top attractions sitting right alongside one another. This makes for a destination where you can leave the car behind and explore on foot. Our 'Walkable Portsmouth' itinerary shows you just how many fantastic things there are to see and do just a short stroll from one another.

You start at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you can see HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose (and lots, lots more) with just one ticket. After exploring all there is to enjoy at the Dockyard you can walk to the waterfront outlet centre Gunwharf Quays - a mere 250 metres away.

Inside Gunwharf Quays you can head to the shops to bag a bargain; enjoy something to eat or drink at the bars and restaurants; or spend time at the on-site bowling alley, multiplex cinema or contemporary art gallery (Aspex). Gunwharf Quays is also home to Spinnaker Tower. Head up the high-speed lift to enjoy spectacular views of Portsmouth, the Solent and the wider region.

From Gunwharf Quays your next destination is Portsmouth Cathedral, barely more than 500 metres away. The 'Cathedral of the Sea' is situated in historic Old Portsmouth, and has regular events alongside its traditional services.

After taking in the cathedral you can pay a visit to the Hotwalls Studios and wider Old Portsmouth area. It's around 300 metres from the cathedral to the studios - with a walking time of four minutes.

At the Hotwalls you can call in to see the designer-makers at work and maybe treat yourself to one of their unique items. There's also the Canteen serving up fresh produce with a view overlooking the channel where ships come and go into Portsmouth Harbour. Alternatively, head further along The Camber area where you'll find historic pubs also serving great food alongside their extensive drinks selections.

After the Hotwalls Studios it's off to the Royal Garrison Church, around 350 metres away. The historic church was where Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, but is today more renowned for having no roof after suffering bomb damage in the Second World War (and being a popular subject for amateur and professional photographers alike).

After taking a snap of the church you can head the 550 metres (along the new sea defence walkway) to Clarence Pier. There you can enjoy the fairground, arcades, crazy golf and restaurants, as well as the numerous places selling mementos, postcards and sweet treats.

Next up is the longest walk of the itinerary - a whole 900m that should take you not much more than 10 minutes. It's the seafront stroll along Clarence Esplanade to Blue Reef Aquarium. Not only is the walk itself enjoyable, once you arrive there's an underwater world to explore - with clownfish, stingrays and turtles among those waiting to greet you.

After taking in the aquarium your next stops are The D-Day Story (barely 200 metres away) and Southsea Castle (around 150 metres further).

At The D-Day Story you get to step into the shoes of those who crossed the channel to Normandy for the campaign that turned the tide of World War 2. You can also step on board LCT 7074, the enormous landing craft that transported troops and has undergone a multi-million-pound restoration.

Then, over at Southsea Castle you can take a walk through Henry VIII's fortification, see the museum in the keep and then enjoy stunning coastal views from the ramparts.

There's all this (and more) to enjoy, taking in some of Portsmouth's top picks - all of which are a remarkably easy, very enjoyable walk away from one another.