Historic UK City of Portsmouth
From its Harbour Sailed Nelson's "Victory"
Famous for Nelson's flagship, The Victory, and Henry VIII's resurrected Mary Rose, Portsmouth, maritime gateway to England, is today re-inventing itself as a modern city.
England's Maritime Heritage has no greater showcase than the City of Portsmouth, where a sense of history lies in the cobbled streets and narrow alleys of the old part of town.
Today, however, Portsmouth confounds both inhabitants and locals as it opens itself to the modern world. From the city's most outstanding feature, the 170-metre Spinnaker Tower that looms over the town and is visible for miles around ,to new Galleries and Events, Portsmouth is re-inventing itself.
New Galleries in Portsmouth
The newest Gallery is the Aspex Gallery, located in the Vulcan building next to the Spinnaker Tower and easily accessible by Portsmouth's excellent public transport system. It is hoped to run at least six exhibitions of contemporary art per year at the Aspex. The gallery houses an excellent cafe on the premises, next door to which is a smaller gallery which aims to show twelve exhibitions a year.
Famous Inhabitants of Portsmouth
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, lived in Portsmouth from 1882 – 1890 during which time he wrote the first Sherlock Holmes story, and served as Portsmouth City Football Club's first goalkeeper. He had actually helped set the team up. He would be proud of the success of the current team under Manager Harry Redknapp.
Charles Dickens lived for a large part of his life in Portsmouth, and visitors with a few hours to spend can join a guided walking tour of the area in which he lived. The historic centre of the old town is a fascinating place in which to wander and it is not hard to image the life of 18th and 19th century sailors who wound up in this naval port.
Not far away, in Chawton, is the home of Jane Austen. Tours to her former home have become highly popular with the increased successes of the television and filmed series of her books.
Few will want to miss a chance of seeing the vessel Mary Rose, that magnificent ship of Henry VIII's that sank with the loss of all hands, in full sight of the shore where Henry VIII and the court stood waving goodbye. Or to tour over The Victory, Nelson's ship of fame which is moored permanently in the harbour. It is salutary to go on board The Victory and see how cramped were the quarters in which the sailors lived.
During the summer Portsmouth offers a range of festivities and events to mark anniversaries, to remind people of their heritage, and to involve everyone in the city's historic past. There are also musical events in the centre of the city, like An evening of opera or classical music at Victoria Park (bring your own seat and your own wine) and not far away the Summer Fair on Southsea Common attracts thousands to the 3-day event.
Winter sees the Christmas Fair in the Dockyard , a Fair which is beginning to rival the famous Christmas Fairs of Germany. If Christmas shopping is proving difficult, come to Portsmouth and all your shopping problems will be solved..
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