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Immerse yourself in maritime history, see magnificent Royal Navy vessels and shop til you drop on a UK cruise from Portsmouth
Discover long stretches of stunning coastline, explore over 800 years of maritime history and shop at some of the finest stores in the UK, all of which are within easy reach of one another and bring visitors to Portsmouth from all over the globe.
Take a look at our favourite things to see and do while on a UK staycation cruise, below.
Take a look at our UK cruises that depart from or visit Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Bathed in rich maritime history, Portsmouth houses one of the world's most popular shipping attractions, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Home to some of the UK's most famous historic vessels, the Dockyard attracts thousands of visitors every year and is perfect for adults and children alike.
Stand on the spot where Vice Admiral Lord Nelson took his dying breath on board HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, see Britain's first iron-hulled ship, HMS Warrior, and visit the eerie remains of King Henry VIII's flagship, The Mary Rose.
As well as the ships in the dockyard, visitors can hop on a free boat trip out on the Solent across to Gosport, where you can experience what it's like to be an underwater agent at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. For kiddies, the dockyard offers a number of immersive and interactive experiences, including Boathouse 4, Action Stations and seasonal exhibitions such as Horrible Histories - Pirates.
We recommend spending as much time at the dockyard as you can, so why not consider extending your UK seacation with a stay in the city before or after your 2021 UK cruise.
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The D-Day Story
Head back in time to 6th June 1944 and discover all there is to know about WWII’s famous D-Day landings at the D-Day Story Museum in Southsea while on your UK cruise.
Just a short walk or taxi ride from the Historic Dockyard, the D-Day Story is located in the Southsea area of Portsmouth and is a new museum showcasing how the Allied Forces invaded Northern France via the Normandy beaches - a defining moment in history which ultimately resulted in Germany’s surrender.
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Through personal accounts, interactive exhibitions and an extensive collection of memorabilia including vehicles, clothing, maps and documents, visitors will discover how ordinary individuals enabled the extraordinary during this historically significant event that shaped the United Kingdom’s future and led to victory.
Perfect to discover during an excursion ashore while on a British Isles cruise, this family friendly attraction is open throughout the year and tickets are available at https://theddaystory.com/plan-your-visit/tickets/
Gunwharf Quays Shopping Centre
If you love shopping, you’ll love Portsmouth! But your wallet might not! Just a five minute walk from the historic dockyard, head over to Gunwharf Quays Shopping Centre for some serious retail therapy.
Home to over 90 famous brands including Diesel, Nike, Michael Kors and Molton Brown, Gunwharf offers a selection of goodies with up to 60% off the RRP - meaning you can spend spend, spend without feeling guilty*.
As well as retail outlets, Gunwharf Quays also houses a number of popular food and drink chains, including Loch Fyne, Las Iguanas, Nando’s and Wagamama’s and has plenty of outside space to sit by the Solent and enjoy the sun while exploring the city on an excursion during your cruise around the UK.
*We can’t be held responsible for overspending! :-)
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Discover the most spectacular aspects of the south coast with a visit to Portsmouth's landmark attraction, the Spinnaker Tower. Standing proudly at 170m tall, you'll enjoy breathtaking views out over the Solent, stunning aerial shots of some of the Royal Navy's key ships and on a sunny day, crystal clear sightings out to the Isle of Wight.
Travel up in one of the Tower's speedy lifts and step out onto the viewing platform where you can spend as much time as you like enjoying the scenes before you. Walk over the 'Sky Walk', situated 100m above sea level, learn about the construction of this magnificent tower or book a special afternoon tea treat while visiting Portsmouth for a cruise of the UK.
Due to popularity of this attraction, we strongly recommend booking in advance, which you can do online at https://bookings.spinnakertower.co.uk/book
Take a look at our UK cruises departing from Portsmouth
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about UK cruises that depart from or visit Portsmouth take a look around our website or call our knowledgeable team on 01737 646412.