Portsmouth is a large port city on the English Channel, lying largely on the island of Portsea. In the past, it was the main base of the Royal Navy, and nowadays the historic shipyards, docks and ships attract thousands of tourists every year.
Since its founding by the Normans in the 11th century, Portsmouth was an important port and base for British ships. In the Middle Ages, the fortification of the city began, especially the port, to protect it from attacks from the sea. Southsea Castle was built then, and its underground corridors are now open to tourists.
The city's main attraction is the Historic Portsmouth Shipyard. You can see there not only dry docks and places where British warships were built in the past, but also the hull of the Victory liner on which Admiral Nelson died and the HMS Warior ship from the mid-19th century. the hull of King Henry VIII's ship. An important object is also the D-Day Story museum reminding about the events of the Normandy landings in 1944.
The port area is the most attractive part of Portsmouth for tourists. The rebuilt Gunwharf Quays is bustling from morning to late evening. There is also the Blue Reef Aquarium with a collection of marine animals from all over the world. The characteristic building of this part of the city is the Spinnaker Tower, a modern edifice with a beautiful view of the city and coast from its top.
The Old Town in Portsmouth is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets with houses dating primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the past, it was the home of the city's poor, today there are fashionable pubs, bars and restaurants. In turn, the representative part of the city is the Victorian Southsea with a promenade, tenement houses from the nineteenth century and a recreational and entertainment complex.
