COVID-19 update - Please read

Most shops, bars, restaurants and attractions across Portsmouth have now re-opened. We advise anyone planning to head into the city to Plan Ahead - Know Before You Go - to keep up to speed with all the latest details and make the most of your trip to the coast.

As ever, it's wise to contact venues directly, especially if you're making your journey to attend a particular event. A listing on the Visit Portsmouth website isn't a guarantee that events will go ahead as planned or the attraction will be open, as some decisions may have to be made at the last minute. Check back to this page regularly, or contact the venue direct before travelling to ensure everything is going ahead as planned.

If you fall ill whilst on holiday, you need to organise a test and let your accommodation provider know immediately. See our information page on what to do if you fall ill on a break to Portsmouth.

The latest information can be found below.

Portsmouth Museums

The D-Day Story has now re-opened; find out more about how it's keeping visitors safe, and read the FAQs, on the D-Day Story website. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is also open, its FAQs are here. The other four museums operated by Portsmouth City Council (Southsea Castle, Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and Eastney Engine Houses) are preparing to re-open but currently remain closed. Full dates and details are yet to be formally confirmed, but an announcement will be made imminently. The Champagne Bar at Southsea Castle has returned - take a look at the listing for full details.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose Museum and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are both set to re-open on 24 August. What's more, there is now a joint ticket available, so visitors can experience all the attractions at the Dockyard, plus access the Mary Rose museum, with just one ticket. Head to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Mary Rose websites for full details and to buy your ticket in advance.

Over in Gosport, the Submarine Museum will open on 26 August to its winter hours (10am-4.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday). Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower will re-open on 29 August, weekends only. Both will be open on August Bank Holiday Monday. Tickets will need to be booked in advance. If you have an existing ticket, you'll still need to book a slot.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is now open 7 days a week, from 11am to 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm).

Measures have been put in place to ensure those enjoying the view decks or taking lifts to the top of the tower can do so safely. For this reason, admissions will be through advance tickets only and for specific time slots.

The Waterfront Cafe is open, and The Clouds is for pre-booked afternoon teas only.

Head to the Emirates Spinnaker Tower website for details of buying your tickets and to get further information.

Gunwharf Quays

Gunwharf Quays has now re-opened. The site's capacity is limited and there will be a one-way system in place, so visitors are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for their trip. Find out more information on our Plan Ahead page.

Hotwalls Studios

The Hotwalls Studios are now back, with some designer makers returning once more to their studio spaces. Social distancing measures are in place, with limits on the number of people able to enter a studio at any one time. Head to the website for full details and to see its re-opening statement.

Blue Reef Aquarium

Southsea's Blue Reef Aquarium is preparing to re-open on 4 July. See its website for full details and to discover what measures have been put in place to ensure visitors are kept safe.

Libraries

Three of the city's main libraries (Central, Southsea and North End) re-opened on 6 July. Cleaning stations are in place to meet safety standards, and social distancing is implemented throughout.

Cosham Library will re-open on 17 August.

Cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants

A large number of the city's bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants have now re-opened. However, if you want to visit a specific cafe, pub, bar or restaurant, it's worth checking ahead of travelling to ensure it will be open, and to discover the processes involved to maintain effective social distancing. This, for example, may require you to book in advance and provide personal details for Track & Trace.

Even those which aren't opening to customers just yet will still be offering their takeaway or delivery service as they have done in recent weeks. Check the social media accounts of the city's bars and restaurants to see what takeout options are available, to help you get the food you love, but also support local businesses during these trying times.

The following seafront cafes and restaurants are now open:

• Deep Blue
• Courtyard Café
• Watkins & Faux
• Waterfront Tea Room
• Coffee Cabin
• The Briny
• Southsea Beach Café

In Gunwharf Quays, Five Guys, Nando's, Wagamama, All Bar One, Eden, The Alchemist, The Liquorist, The Slug and Lettuce, Loch Fyne, Cosy Club and Hubbox have all now re-opened.

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. If you're concerned about heading to an attraction, check for the green tick for peace of mind. 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

Following the latest government advice, all large events in the city have now been cancelled up to the end of August. This means Victorious Festival, Live at the Bandstand, Southsea Food Festival, Beach Dubbin' and more will not go ahead.

Where we have been notified, events previously listed on the Visit Portsmouth website have been removed from our What's On section. However, if an event is listed that doesn't mean it's guaranteed to go ahead as planned. Please check with the organisers before your visit to avoid potential disappointment.

Some city venues which have had to cancel or postpone forthcoming events include:
Portsmouth Guildhall
Kings Theatre
New Theatre Royal
The Wedgewood Rooms
Groundlings Theatre

If you have booked a show at any of the above venues, please check their social media feeds to see if it's still going ahead before you set off. They will also be able to advise on rescheduled dates or potential refunds for cancelled shows, but please be aware they may be busy with a large volume of enquiries for the foreseeable future.

Victorious Festival

Victorious Festival 2020 has been cancelled - the event will return in 2021. Those who planned to go this year are advised to hold onto their tickets, which will grant entry to next year's event. Anyone who cannot make next year's event will be able to apply for a refund. See the Victorious Festival website for further information.

Great South Run

Unfortunately the Great South Run 2020 has been cancelled. Due to the current situation, it wasn't possible to host the event in its usual guise, so the difficult decision was made to cancel. Those with places at this year's event can apply for a refund or carry over their entry to 2021, with the race scheduled to take place on Sunday 17 October.

See the Great Run website for full details.

Events in Flagship magazine

The Out and About section of Flagship magazine was created long before any of the recent announcements were made. As such, many events within the magazine will no longer be going ahead (including a number of beach cleans and live music performances). 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.

As noted, 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. Always check with the attraction, restaurant or event organiser in advance to ensure you can still visit as planned.

Thanks for your patience during this time and we look forward to welcoming people back to Portsmouth.

If you're still holding 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.