On the southern coast of England and offshore Portsea Island stands the home of the British Royal Navy, the harbor city of Portsmouth. A proud naval heritage is evident in the Historic Dockyard where modern ships are moored alongside classics like Admiral Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, which defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar. The wreckage of Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, which capsized offshore in 1545, is displayed in a nearby museum, and on the southern tip of the island stands Southsea Castle, constructed in 1544 to defend those same waters. Anchoring the city in the present is the modern silhouette of the 560-foot-tall Spinnaker Tower. The observation decks offer views as far as the Isle of Wight, and those who dare can look down on the harbor below through the glass skywalk. Gunwharf Quays is the place to go for waterfront shopping and dining, or if you wish to explore farther afield, the iconic city of London is just a couple of hours inland.
