How to spend the day in Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a location steeped in maritime history, and every corner you turn, you’ll be reminded of the nautical prowess of the location. If you’re planning to join an Ambassador cruise holiday from Portsmouth, then why not consider arriving a little early and enjoying the wonderful sights and sounds that the city has to offer? Keep reading as we take you through some of the attractions we think are worth exploring before joining us on Ambition.

Things to do in Portsmouth:

·       HMS Victory

·       Spinnaker Tower

·       Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

·       Mary Rose Museum

HMS Victory

A true icon of British naval history and the oldest commissioned warship in the world, the HMS Victory is docked in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where it has sat as a testament to its history since 1922.

Over 250 years since her launch, visitors can now board the ship as the crew once did and tread the decks, learn about the history of the ship, and enjoy a play-by-play of Nelson's final minutes and the last moments of the battle.

Not only is the ship striking from the outside, but it is also just as immersive inside. Explore the sleeping quarters where crewmates rest their head after a hard day's work, wander the communal areas, visit the surgeon's office and even catch a glimpse of where the captain would have steered the ship.

Spinnaker Tower

Situated within the Gunwharf Quays Shopping Centre on the waterfront in Portsmouth, Spinnaker Tower sits 170 meters tall and was built in 2001 to celebrate the new millennium and celebrate the rich maritime history of the city.

The striking construction offers 23 miles of views across the harbour, the city, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. Simply enjoy the splendid views from the top, indulge in afternoon tea with a view or experience unparalleled views in the Spinnaker Sky Bar. If you want to start your cruise holiday off with a bang, then why not challenge yourself to abseil 100m down the side of the building, a true bucket list experience?

The blog Kat Got Your Tongue perfectly sums up the Spinnaker Tower and the sort of experience you can expect: “The Historic Dockyard is one of my favourite places in Portsmouth – home to a huge amount of naval history, and one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. From The Spinnaker Tower, you can see the HMS Warrior in the foreground, HMS Victory inside the dockyard, the Mary Rose Museum and the two aircraft carriers – if you’re lucky! As you can tell, The Spinnaker Tower is a fantastic place to explore, and I’d recommend a visit to anyone planning a trip to Portsmouth – and any locals who haven’t already visited would love it too. We certainly enjoyed it!”

READ MORE: How to spend a day in Bristol

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned and celebrated novelists in history, creating some of the most iconic fictional characters of the Victorian period. Dickens was born on the 7^th of February 1812 in Landport, Portsmouth, where you can now find the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum.

Located a short car journey from Port Solent, the museum stands still in time and serves as a memorial to this novelist. When entering through the front door, you’ll be flung back to the Regency period with authentic furniture, ceramics, glass, decorations and many of their actual possessions. The museum has three furnished rooms: the parlour, the dining room and the bedroom where Charles was born, as well as a small exhibition of some of his personal and poignant items.

The museum is open only on select days throughout the month, so be sure to check the Visit Us page on the website for details on the dates and times the house is open to the public.

READ MORE: How to spend a day in Falmouth

Mary Rose Museum

We weren’t joking when we said that Portsmouth was a mecca for naval history, as our last recommendation is a visit to the Mary Rose Museum. An iconic ship in Tudor history and the ship of King Henry VIII launched in 1511, she served for 34 years in a plethora of wars against the likes of France and Scotland.

The remains of this vast ship now sit in the museum in Portsmouth, along with the most extensive collection of Tudor objects in the world. The museum is a truly immersive experience. Not only do you get to see the ship, but you’ll also get to experience a 4D diving experience, hear stories from those who dived the wreck, and find out more about its time at sea. Travel back in time with the 1545 experience, meet Hatch, the ship's dog, explore the vast collection of Tudor items and discover what life was like onboard for the crew.

Portsmouth is a wonderful city with so much to offer its visitors. If you’ve got a UK cruise booked in 2025 or are looking to book your next cruise from Portsmouth, we’re sure that this guide has given you some insights into the fun things you can do in Portsmouth before departure.

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