History

One thing that Portsmouth’s most certainly not short on is history. Admirals have set sail from here, Kings have married here, and great battles were fought just off our coastline. The city played a vital role in defending Britain, and more recently some of the most celebrated writers and thinkers have lived here.

Take a step back in time to experience Portsmouth’s history and discover the fascinating stories our attractions have to tell.

Number of results: 38

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Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

Address

Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 4QL

Telephone
+44 023 9282 1879

MVS@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Portsmouth

Visit the first home of Britain's most famous Victorian author.
Southsea Castle

Address

Southsea Castle, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3PA

Telephone
+44 023 9284 1625

MVS@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Southsea, Portsmouth

Visit Henry VIII's Southsea Castle, right along the water's edge.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Address

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3LJ

Telephone
023 9283 9766

enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk

HM Naval Base, Portsmouth

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of naval history.
The D-Day Story

Address

The D-Day Story, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3NT

Telephone
023 9288 2555

mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Portsmouth

The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944.
Round Tower

Address

Round Tower, Broad Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LY

Telephone
+44 023 9282 7261

Portsmouth

The Round Tower is one of Portsmouth's oldest permanent fortifications.
Spitbank Fort

Address

Solents Forts Port Office, Lock Keepers Cottage, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3FH

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

The Solent Forts are closed until further notice.
Portsmouth Cathedral, St. Thomas'

Address

High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2HH

Telephone
+44 023 9282 3300

info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Portsmouth

Take a voyage of discovery at Portsmouth Cathedral, and uncover over 800 years of history.
Portchester Castle

Address

Castle Street, Portchester, Hampshire, PO16 9QW

Telephone
023 9237 8291

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Portchester

Visit the Roman-Saxon shore fort with Norman additions - featuring a near-perfect keep and Norman church within the walls.
Square Tower

Address

Broad Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2ND

Telephone
+44 0751 950 5785

enquiries@squaretower.co.uk

Portsmouth

The Square Tower is one of the oldest surviving parts of Portsmouth's fortifications, built to defend the city and harbour.
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

Address

Portsmouth Museum, Museum Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LJ

Telephone
+44 023 9283 4779

mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth, featuring exciting and varied displays.
Hotwalls Studios

Address

Hotwalls Studios, Point Battery & Barracks, Broad Street, Old Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2FS

Telephone
023 9234 3138

hotwallsstudios@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Broad Street, Old Portsmouth

The Hotwalls Studios brings local artists, designers and makers together, in an exceptional heritage location.
Peter Ashley Activity Centres - Fort Purbrook Activity Centre

Address

Fort Purbrook, Peter Ashley Lane, Cosham, Hampshire, PO6 1BJ

Telephone
02392321223

office@peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk

Cosham

Looking for Group Activities for children and adults near Portsmouth?
The Mary Rose

Address

Main Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3PY

Telephone
023 9281 2931

museum@maryrose.org

Portsmouth

Experience The Mary Rose as never before at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Peter Ashley Activity Centres - Fort Widley Equestrian Centre

Address

Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road, Cosham, Hampshire, PO6 3LS

Telephone
02392324553

equestrian@peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk

Cosham

Regardless of your age, ability or fitness, the Peter Ashley Equestrian Centre has a lesson for you.
Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower

Address

Heritage Way, Priddy's Hard, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LE

Telephone
+44 023 9250 5600

enquiries@nmrn.org.uk

Gosport

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower is a hands on, interactive Museum set in the historic setting of a former gunpowder and munitions depot.
Royal Garrison Church

Address

Penny Street, Grand Parade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2NJ

Telephone
+44 023 9282 3973

SouthHPDAdmin@english-heritage.org.uk

Portsmouth

Discover this beautiful church in Old Portsmouth, which was partially destroyed during a firebomb raid in 1941.
Saint Mary's Church

Address

Fratton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 5PA

Telephone
+44 023 9282 2687

vicar@portseaparish.co.uk

Portsmouth

St Mary's has been described as the finest Victorian building in Hampshire. Designed just over 100 years ago by Arthur Blomfield. Finest Walker organ in England.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Address

Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AS

Telephone
+44 02392 510354

enquiries@submarine-museum.co.uk

Gosport

Discover the extraordinary life of a submariner first-hand at The Royal Navy Submarine Museum on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour.
Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Address

Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Eastern Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9RF

Telephone
+44 023 9281 5276

mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Southsea, Portsmouth

See the flora and fauna of Portsmouth at Cumberland House - the Natural History Museum.
Boathouse 4

Address

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, College Road, H M Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3LJ

Telephone
023 9282 0921

info@portsmouthhq.org

H M Naval Base, Portsmouth

Watch boatbuilding in action and learn about the vital role of small boats in the Royal Navy.