Portsmouth Area Guide

UK Area Guides

Portsmouth, Hampshire

Exceptional4.7

Living in

Portsmouth is a waterfront city located mainly on Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire, South East England. Known for its maritime heritage and Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth is a vibrant port city that thrives by the sea, offering a seafaring culture with a modern twist. Portsmouth has undergone a regeneration project which has seen the arrival of navy buildings and a range of amenities that are set among canals and squares, all anchored by the 170-metre-high Emirates Spinnaker Tower. With the average property price of £250,000, many first-time buyers are attracted to Portsmouth as it provides a great range of accommodations that are suited to families, professionals, students, and retirees. 

Ratings

Exceptional4.7

Community

Plenty of attractions can be found across Portsmouth, with residents spoilt for choice of both cultural and entertainment options. Some of the popular places to visit include The Portsmouth Guildhall, The Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth Natural History Museum, and Southsea Castle. An abundance of cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and pubs are available within the city, and with the impressive Gunwharf Quays offering over 90 stores, there is something catered to all. 

Safety

Portsmouth is said to be the safest city in Hampshire, although the area has a 38% higher crime rate than the South East and a 34% higher crime rate than the overall figures of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

Parking

Many hourly and monthly paid parking spaces are available in Portsmouth, residents can find availability on Milton Road, Ferry House Lodge, Victory Retail Park, Denning Mews, and Urban Parking Shelton Street Car Park, which are all within 15 minutes of the city centre.

Nightlife

A great nightlife scene is found in Portsmouth with the many Bars, Clubs, Restaurants, and Pubs that are dotted in the area. Some popular venues include The Astoria, Hampshire Boulevard, Eden, Mr Miyagi's, and The Liquorist. Residents can also head to the local areas of Southampton, Worthing, Brighton, and London.

Family Friendly

Portsmouth offers a wide selection of education in and around the area, from Primary Schools to Universities. Families have the brilliant options of Copnor Primary School, Corpus Christi R C Primary School, and St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School. Further education includes International College Portsmouth (ICP), UTC Portsmouth, University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton, and University of Chichester.

Pet Friendly

Dog owners have many scenic areas to take their furry friends out to explore in Portsmouth. Local green spaces include Victoria Park, Ravelin Park, Milton Park, Alexandra Park, and Southsea common for a stroll by the sea. 

Transport

Portsmouth provides multiple forms of transport to its residents, with trains, ferries, buses, and the M275, M27 & A27 for car travel. Portsmouth Harbour Station and Portsmouth & Southsea Station provide services for the Dockyard, Old Town, Ferry Port, University, Gunwharf Quays and the Portsea areas of the city. The A3 allows residents to travel to London in just under 2 hours and the M27 route to Southampton Airport, which can be reached in 30 minutes by car and 1 hour by train. Regular Ferry crossings will also get you to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, France, and Spain.