Even now, I still think about the smell of the sea breeze coming in off the Solent, the sound of seagulls circling over Southsea Common, and the quiet calm of Baffins Pond on a Sunday morning.
I lived there for 22 years -aside from my University stint away – and I carry the spirit of the city with me everywhere.
It’s a place that doesn’t shout about itself but deserves all the love.
So, if you’re sitting in London looking for a weekend break with proper character, sea air, and loads to do, Portsmouth is worth the visit.
HMS Victory at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It’s also incredibly easy to get to – you can be on a train from London Waterloo and sipping a drink by the seaside in just over 90 minutes.
Portsmouth is the UK’s only island city and has been a vital naval base for centuries.
From the historic dockyard, where you’ll find HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum, to the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth with its traditional pubs and views across the harbour, there’s something grounding about knowing the city played such an important part in the country’s story.
Southwick House served as the headquarters for the senior Allied Commanders and was home to the famous ‘Map Room’, where the D-Day invasion was carefully planned.
I grew up near Baffins Pond in the east of the city.
It’s a popular local spot – less known by tourists but deeply loved by those who live nearby.
The pond is surrounded by a park where you can feed ducks and swans, and the surrounding green spaces are perfect for families, dog walkers, or anyone who wants a bit of quiet.
But if you head further south, you hit the beating heart of Portsmouth – Southsea.
It’s hard to explain just how much of my youth was spent here.
The seafront is iconic, stretching out from Clarence Pier all the way along the promenade to Eastney.
Southsea Common is where everything happened- picnics, football, festivals, and lazy afternoons spent just watching the sea roll in.
It’s also the home of Victorious Festival, Portsmouth’s biggest music event, which transforms the seafront every August.
Over the years, it’s welcomed massive acts like Mumford & Sons, Sam Fender, and this year, Kings of Leon are headlining the weekend.
The streets of Southsea are full of independent shops, cafés and restaurants that have built a real community feel.
Palmerston Road is one of my favourite stretches, especially for a slow morning coffee or a spot of window shopping in charity shops.
A little further inland, Albert Road is where Portsmouth comes alive at night.
I had some of my first ever nights out there, dancing in tiny bars and making some questionable life choices.
There’s a certain charm about Portsmouth’s nightlife – it’s friendly, fun, and completely unpretentious.
Portsmouth’s food scene, especially in Southsea, is packed with personality.
I always make a beeline for Steki, a cosy Greek restaurant that somehow always manages to make you feel like family.
Fuego’s is another must-visit – intimate, relaxed, with the kind of Birria Tacos you’ll think about for weeks.
Umami Street Food is ideal if you want something fresh and quick, while Rocka brings brilliant cocktails and dishes that never miss.
These are the kinds of places that are run with love, always busy, and full of locals who know they’ve found something special.
Of course, no trip to Portsmouth is complete without visiting Gunwharf Quays.
Growing up, it was where we went for birthdays, sales shopping, and those teenage years where you just wandered and ended up in Nando’s.
It’s home to outlet stores, restaurants, and the towering Spinnaker Tower – which offers a breath taking panoramic view of the city.
On a clear day, you can see across the Isle of Wight, out over the Solent, and all the way across the rooftops of the city I still think of as mine.
Milton Common is another place I’d always recommend.
It’s a quiet, open stretch of land with walking paths and views across the water.
It doesn’t have the polish of the main attractions, but it’s where I’d go when I needed to clear my head or catch the sunset.
And then there’s Fratton Park.
If you’ve never been to a Pompey football match, go.
The energy is electric, the crowd passionate, and there’s something special about a city that loves its team the way Portsmouth loves Pompey.
When it comes to getting around, Portsmouth makes everything easy.
Whether you’re heading back up the A3 to London or taking the M27 across the coast, the city’s well connected.
Portsmouth is exactly what it claims to be – a proper seaside city, full of character, with so much to explore, and always worth a visit, no matter the season.
It shaped who I am, and I’ll always be proud to say I’m from there.
