Top 5 must-see attractions in Portsmouth

It’s a seaside town on the English Channel with a ton of things to see and do – and we are taking you there in this episode of @windowseatworldtravel

We’re talking about Portsmouth, UK… a place steeped in history, with a hint of modern too.

What are the top 5 things to see and do in this unforgettable English city (which by the way is the most densely populated town in all of England)? We’ll show you what you absolutely cannot miss!

LINKS:
Clarence Pier:

Clarence Pier – Front Page

The DDAY Story Museum:

The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

Spinnaker Tower:

Home

The Still & West:
https://www.stillandwest.co.uk/

Isle of Wight Ferry:
https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/

Isle of Wight Music Festival 2024:
https://isleofwightfestival.com/

If you want to follow our adventures and stories, check us out on Instagram. Our official account is https://www.instagram.com/windowseatworldtravel
Jeremy can be found at https://www.instagram.com/jeremyhubbard and you can find Sean at https://www.instagram.com/seandtowle.

🙏🏼 Thank you so much for helping our new YouTube channel grow. We really appreciate it. We’re still working on a webpage and Facebook account – so standby!

JOIN OUR NEW TRAVEL COMMUNITY
Window Seat: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlq…
📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/windowseatw…

🎥 THANKS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL MUSIC AND GRAPHICS

Thanks to Motion Array for supplying the royalty-free music for this piece.
https://www.motionarray.com/

Thumbnail graphics created using Canva
https://www.canva.com

Some video graphics created using Toko for Final Cut Pro X.
https://videohive.net/item/toko-graph…

Our Most Popular YouTube Video
🎬 Machu Picchu: What they won’t tell you about visiting here

#isleofwight #travel #uk #traveltips #travels #british #portsmouth #guide

It is a fun seaside town right on the English 
Channel about 75 miles outside of London. Yet you may have overlooked it, but you shouldn’t 
any longer because we’re going to give you the top five reasons to visit Portsmouth in the 
United Kingdom in this episode of Window Seat. [MUSIC] Portsmouth UK is a city steeped in history 
with something interesting around every single corner. It’s the home of the Royal Navy. It has a 
long-standing naval tradition. Home to the oldest dry dock in the world that’s still in use today. 
Lots of historic ships here including the HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of 
Trafalgar. And the Mary Rose Henry VIII’s warship that sank back in 1545 and was raised in 1982. 
But enough about the history. Let’s talk about what there is to do here and now. And let’s count 
them down. And we’re gonna count down the top five reasons you should come to Portsmouth, United 
Kingdom. We’re going to start right here on the pier. We’re talking Clarence Pier. It’s a fun 
Jersey Shore style carnival atmosphere. And if you like summertime fun, you’re going to love this 
place. Visiting Clarence Pier in Portsmouth UK is like stepping into a vibrant, nostalgic 
world of seaside fun and excitement. Located on the picturesque South Sea seafront, Clarence Pier 
offers a delightful mix of traditional amusement park attractions and modern entertainment, making 
it a perfect destination for families and couples and friends. Now as you arrive, the first 
thing you’ll notice is the lively atmosphere with the sound of laughter, cheerful music, 
and the occasional scream from thrill-seekers on the rides filling the air. That is if 
the rides are actually in operation when you come. They weren’t when I came, but you get 
the idea. The colorful array of amusement rides and arcades greets you with the iconic pirate 
ship and the towering Skyways roller coaster drawing your attention. For those seeking a 
bit of an adrenaline rush, these rides offer heart-pounding excitement and a fantastic view 
of the surrounding area out here. The Piers retro charm is evident in its classic attractions like 
the dodge gems, carousel, and traditional slot machines in the arcade. The smell of freshly 
made donuts, candy floss, and fish and chips wafting through the air, inviting you to indulge 
in some quintessential British seaside treats. The bright lights of the arcade games beckon, 
and you might find yourself trying your hand at the claw machines or testing your luck on the 
coin pushers inside. Walking along the pier, you’ll notice stunning views of the incoming 
ferry boats and the bustling Portsmouth Harbor. On a clear day, you can see the historic Spinnaker 
Tower off in the distance there. We’ll give you more information on that in a bit. But it adds a 
touch of modernity to the classic seaside scene here. The fresh sea breeze and the sound of waves 
crashing against the shore provide a refreshing contrast to the excitement of the amusement park. 
For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, Clarence Pier also offers leisurely activities 
like mini-golf and a children’s play area. And the nearby South Parade Pier and the beautiful 
South Sea Common provide additional spaces for picnics and quiet walks along the waterfront. In 
the summer months, Clarence Pier becomes even more vibrant with various events and shows, making it a 
lively hub of activity. Whether you’re riding the thrilling attractions, enjoying the arcade games, 
or simply taking in the beautiful coastal scenery, a visit to Clarence Pier is a delightful 
experience that captures the essence of British seaside fun. So there you have it, 
Clarence Pier, one of the places you should check out when you come to Portsmouth in the 
United Kingdom. Another place you should check out is steeped in history. We’re talking about 
D-Day history, the D-Day Story here in Portsmouth. Visiting the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth is an 
immersive, poignant experience that takes you back to the most significant event of World War 
II. It’s located in South Sea and it offers a comprehensive, engaging look at the D-Day landings 
of June 6, 1944, through a variety of exhibits, personal stories, and interactive displays. 
As you enter the museum, you’re immediately struck by the solemn yet heroic atmosphere that 
permeates this space. The design and layout of the museum guides you through a chronological 
journey of the D-Day operation, starting with the meticulous planning and preparation stages. 
Large, informative panels provide detailed context about the political and military 
strategies involved, and they set the scene for the monumental task ahead. And throughout the 
museum, you’ll find a variety of artifacts and personal belongings that bring the human aspect 
of the story to life, including uniforms, weapons, maps, letters from soldiers. They offer a tangible 
connection to the individuals who played a part in the D-Day operations. Interactive displays and 
multimedia presentations enhance the experience, allowing you to engage with the history in a 
more hands-on way. The landing craft tank LCT 7074 is another standout exhibit. The restored 
landing craft is one of the few remaining from D-Day and it gives you a real sense of the scale 
and logistics involved in the amphibious assault. You walk around inside the LCT and you can 
imagine the experiences of the troops as they approach the heavily fortified shores 
of Normandy. The museum also offering an engaging section dedicated to the legacy of 
D-Day, exploring how it’s been remembered and commemorated over the years. This part of the 
exhibit encourages reflection on the lasting impact of the operation and the importance 
of preserving the memory of those who served. Visiting the D-Day museum is both educational 
and emotionally moving. It gives you a deep understanding of the complexities of the 
D-Day landings while honoring the courage and resilience of those involved. History 
buffs of any age are going to love this museum and so many people are fascinated by 
what happened on June 6th, 1944 and in the days leading up to it. But people just assume 
all that history happened on the French side of the English Channel. Reality is it was all 
planned and plotted right here in the United Kingdom. You’ll learn so much about that at the 
D-Day story here in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Alright, number three, you’re going to want to 
see Portsmouth, UK from the very tippy top and there’s no place to do that like Spinnaker 
Tower. As you approach Spinnaker Tower, its striking design resembling a billowing 
sail dominates the skyline. The structure stands at 170 meters tall and is the central 
landmark in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays area. Once inside you get on a high-speed elevator. 
It takes just 30 seconds to get to the top, adding a real sense of excitement as you ascend. 
The main viewing platform is a hundred meters high, offering floor-to-ceiling windows 
with panoramic views of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight off in the distance. On a 
clear day you can see up to 23 miles here. View deck 2 is a little higher at 105 
meters. It’s known as the cloud deck. And view deck 3 is 110 meters high. This is the 
sky garden, an open-air deck where you can relax and enjoy the scenery in a serene environment 
with plants and seating areas, assuming you’re not scared of heights. There’s the cafe in 
the clouds. After you’ve taken the views, you can visit the cafe. It’s on deck 2. And here you 
can enjoy refreshments while gazing out over the stunning landscape, making it a perfect spot for 
a break. And then once you descend from the tower, you’ll find yourself in Gunwharf Quays. It’s a 
bustling shopping complex with more than 90 outlet stores, with brands from high-end designers to 
popular street names, offering a mix of fashion, accessories, homeware, and all of it at discount 
prices. It’s a pedestrian-friendly layout, wide boulevards, open spaces, a real pleasant 
shopping experience, and there’s a diverse array of restaurants, cafes, and bars all catering to 
different tastes and budgets as well. There’s also a cinema, bowling alley, frequent live events, 
and music, seasonal markets. You’re going to love it down here. A visit to Spinnaker Tower and the 
surrounding Gunwharf Quays area better be on your list. It’s such an odd attraction, a huge modern 
building shaped like a sail in a town that’s steeped with old architecture. Kind of stands out 
a little bit, kind of reminds you of something that you’d see in Dubai. But here it is and it’s 
very cool and you’re going to want to check it out when you come to Portsmouth, UK. Sorry about 
the bouncy cameras, a little windy out here. You’re going to get that in any seaside town, of 
course, and certainly here in the UK. One way to escape the wind is to dip into an English pub, and 
there’s no shortage of those here in this town but there’s one in particular you should check out. 
So the Still & West pub is a historic pub with a rich heritage and unique charm that makes it a 
beloved landmark in this city. It’s nestled in Old Portsmouth, it’s right on the waterfront and 
it offers patrons a perfect blend of traditional English pub atmosphere and stunning views over 
the bustling harbor. And talk about history here, it’s been a fixture in Portsmouth since the 
18th century. In fact, its origins date back to at least the year 1771 when it was the first 
established to serve the local community including sailors and dock workers from the nearby port. 
It’s more than just a place to drink. It’s been a social hub for the community for years and 
years. During the height of naval prominence here was a popular spot for sailors and officers 
from the Royal Navy to relax and socialize. In recent years it’s been carefully renovated as we 
said to preserve the historical features while offering some modern amenities, too It’s been 
updated inside. It’s cozy. There are fireplaces It’s just a really nice place to sit down have 
some fish and chips and of course a pint of beer. Okay, so there you have it who doesn’t love a 
good old-fashioned English pub and as we said, there’s a great one right here in Portsmouth, 
United Kingdom. Now the fifth thing on our list is a little bit of a cheat because It’s not 
actually here in Portsmouth, but you hitch a ride in Portsmouth and you get on a ferry and you 
go to the very renowned Isle of Wight. Taking the ferry from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight is a 
delightful scenic journey that gives you a glimpse into the beauty of the area and shows you one of 
England’s most picturesque islands. Here’s what you can expect. The Portsmouth Harbor is bustling 
with activity. There’s lots of atmosphere there. The sight of lots of vessels from small sailboats 
to large naval ships await as you board the ferry. You’re greeted with modern amenities and 
comfortable seating areas. And depending on the ferry service you choose, whether it’s 
white link, hover travel, or red funnel, you might find different levels of facilities and 
services. But most offer spacious lounges, cafes, and outdoor decks where you can take in 
the sea air. And once the ferry departs, you’re going to get stunning views of Portsmouth 
skyline, including the Spinnaker Tower and the historic dockyards, of course, and then the 
Isle of Wight will come into view. Typically, the journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour, 
so it gives you lots of time to relax and enjoy the ride. As we said, you can get coffee or a 
snack from the onboard cafe, or read a book, or just gaze out the window. Once you’re on 
the Isle of Wight, there are lots of activities and attractions to choose from right at your 
fingertips, and there’s a ton to see and do. But one of the big draws every year, of course, is the 
Isle of Wight Music Festival. Coming up in 2024, there is a stellar lineup. It’s happening in 
late June of 2024. If you’re a music buff and you really like pop music, then this is where 
you’re going to want to be in the next few weeks. You can take in some of these concerts. 
Check out the lineup for this year’s show. We’re talking Pet Shop Boys, Green Day, Simple Mind, 
Keene. There is a great big lineup of great acts from the 80s to today. You’re going to want to 
get to Isle of Wight to check out these shows. Isle of Wight, if you can time it just perfectly, you’ll get to see that awesome music festival 
they have every summer right here just off the coast of Portsmouth in the UK. So it’s 
definitely one of the places you’re going to want to visit if you make your way to this part 
of the United Kingdom. So there you have it, top five things to see and do in Portsmouth, 
UK. That’s it for this episode of Windows Seat. I’m Jeremy Hubbard. Hope you enjoyed it. If 
you’d like and share, we’d sure appreciate it so we can spread the word as we travel to 
every country in the world. I’m at 73 right now. Sean’s around 77. We got a lot of work to 
do, but we’re getting there and we appreciate the support. Also hit subscribe if you don’t 
mind so we can share the word even further. We’re back with a brand new episode next Friday 
morning at 8 a.m. Eastern. In the meantime, here’s another episode that we hope 
you’ll enjoy from Windows Seat. [MUSIC]