COVID-19 update - Please read

Lockdown measures are beginning to ease across England once again, with people able to meet others outside, and certain hospitality businesses permitted to re-open - albeit with certain measures in place.

The latest easing of restrictions means that pubs, bars and restaurants can now open to visitors once more. However, it remains table-service only in an outdoor setting. Indoor dining and drinking is planned for the further easing of restrictions on 17 May.

Outdoor attractions can also re-open, though indoor ones such as museums must remain closed for the time being. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has been classed an indoor attraction, so it not yet able to welcome visitors back.

Non-essential retailers can also now welcome shoppers back - which means the shops at Gunwharf Quays, Cascades and Port Solent can now re-open. If you plan on heading to the shops, please check the relevant websites before travelling to ensure you have all the updates on opening times and any restrictions that may be in place. There could be a queueing system, for example, so it's worth checking for quieter times if you want to avoid the crowds.

Elsewhere, gyms and indoor sports facilities can also re-open - but visitors must only exercise alone or with people in their household bubble. For ourdoor exercise, the regular restrictions (two households or the Rule of 6) apply.

Accommodation can also re-open, with providers offering self-contained stays able to welcome visitors once again. However, you must still only travel with your household bubble for now and wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) in indoor locations.

As for visiting friends and relatives, the government has asked people in England to stay local and use their common sense.

The Rule of 6 remains in place for meeting outdoors, so up to six people can meet in a public place or private garden. Children do not count towards this total. Alternatively, two households are also able to meet up - again, in a public space or private garden. A support bubble or childcare bubble counts as one household. Indoor visits and overnight stays are not currently permitted.

For more information on restrictions, head to the government website. Or if you're planning your next staycation, see our Know Before You Go page for all the up-to-date information on visits and openings.

Please note - during this period of lockdown, the opening times or dates you see on our website listings may not be accurate. Information on our listings pages should be taken as a guide only, for you to plan for future visits to the city once our restrictions have eased.

  

We're Good To Go

Visit England has helped develop a new standard for businesses to prove they have all the relevant measures in place to keep visitors safe during these times. The 'We're Good to Go' mark is your guarantee that businesses have all the right protections in place and are keeping up to date with government guidelines. Though you can't visit indoor attractions at the moment, the We're Good To Go mark still provides valuable insight into which ones are working hard to maintain the best possible standards - and should go into your itinerary planner for when things start to re-open. A list of attractions in Portsmouth with the accreditation can be found on our We're Good to Go page. Conversely, if you've visited somewhere and feel there wasn't enough being done to protect visitors, let Portsmouth City Council know by using this form.

   

Events

Our event listings detail some of the virtual events happning soon, as well as some of the physical events scheduled in for the weeks and months ahead.

However, if an event is listed on our What's On pages that doesn't mean it's guaranteed to go ahead as planned. It's always worth checking before you travel to ensure the event will be going ahead as planned, or if any measures have been put in place.

Events in Flagship magazine

The Out and About section of Flagship magazine is compiled months before some events take place. As such, some events within the magazine may have to be cancelled between publication and the scheduled event date. It's worth double checking to see if the event remains listed on the What's On section of this website, or with the event organiser, ahead of making any journey to avoid disappointment if it has since been cancelled.

  

Please remember, this is an ever-changing situation where advice or openings could change daily. Please check this page frequently for updates, but note not all information on the website will be accurate with all the latest changes.

Whilst you hold off on visiting for the time being, you can still take a virtual trip to Portsmouth with our selection of the best interactive activities to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.