Portsmouth

Portsmouth is Britain's only island city and is most noted for its naval ports. Portsmouth has one of the world's oldest dry docks, which has the HMS Victory sitting in it, which was the flagship of Lord Nelson. When the Mary Rose was raised it was moved to Portsmouth and is on show in a museum.
<br>
<br>In 2005, after the Portsmouth harbour was redeveloped, the Spinnaker Tower was built as a centre piece and supported by a grant from the Nation Lottery. The tower stands 558 feet high.
<br>
<br>Portsmouth is home to a Premier League football team (Portsmouth FC) which is nicknamed Pompey. They play their home games at Fratton Park. The city is also nicknamed Pompey as well. Portsmouth FC recently announced that they are planning on moving to a new stadium and have submitted their plans and hope they are approved. If they are approved then the stadium would be ready for 2011.
<br>
<br>Portsmouth hotels
<br>
<br>Looking for a place to stay in Portsmouth? Activ Portsmouth can help you in the search for a wide range of hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfasts in Portsmouth. We have all the details on places to stay in Portsmouth. All that you need to do is click on our Hotels page and within minutes you could have found your perfect place to stay when you are visiting Portsmouth. &#8232;&#8232;As well as hotel information, we have a page dedicated to events that are up and coming in and around Portsmouth, so head over to our Community page and see what events take your fancy when you are visiting Portsmouth.
<br>
<br>Portsmouth Harbour
<br>
<br>Situated in Hampshire, on the South Coast of England, Portsmouth is home to quite a big natural harbour. At the top of the Portsmouth Harbour is a castle (Portchester Castle), which was built by the Romans as protection for the harbour.
<br>
<br>The harbour is naturally defended by the Isle of Wight and is home to Britain's navy. Over the years it has also become a commercialised port with ferries taking passengers across the waters to France, the Isle of Wight, and Gosport.
<br>
<br>Situated in the Portsmouth Harbour is the Gunwharf Quays, which is a fantastic shopping centre. It has a large number of bars/restaurants, a bowling alley, a cinema, a huge number of shops, and there's a Holiday Inn there if you wish to stay for more than a day.
<br>
<br>Gunwharf Quays
<br>
<br>The current Gunwharf Quays opened on 28th February 2001 is located on the former location of the Royal Navy shore, HMS Vernon. Gunwharf Quays contains 95 designer shopping outlets as well as 25 bars and restaurants and faces onto the infamous 558ft Spinnaker Tower. Within the complex there is also a 14-screen Vue cinema, a bowling alley, the comedy club Jongleurs which becomes a nightclub at 10pm, a Tiger Tiger night club, an art gallery and also a 120 bed hotel.
<br>
<br>The centre is located close to the historic dockyard and Old Portsmouth.
<br>
<br>The centre is open Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 10am-5pm with late night shopping available closer to the Christmas holidays.
<br>
<br>The is also a host of bars, cafes and restaurants around the Gunwharf Quays with a few more shops meaning you will be spoilt for choice.
<br>
<br>Portsmouth FC
<br>
<br>Portsmouth is home to Portsmouth FC, who play their football in the top tier of English football, the Premier League. They play their home games at Fratton Park, which has been their home since 1898 and has only recently been renovated to have a roof on all four stands. It was the only stadium in the Premier League to have a roofless stand until the 2007/08 season.
<br>
<br>Harry Redknapp's reign as Portsmouth manager between 2002 and 2008 was arguably the best era in the football club's history. They gained promotion into the Premier League in 2003 and since then have gone from strength to strength winning the FA Cup in 2008 beating Championship side Cardiff City FC 1-0 in the final at Wembley. This secured them European football for the first time in their history.
<br>
<br>Since Harry Redknapp left for Tottenham Hotspur FC, and owner Milan Mandaric left for Leicester City FC, Portsmouth have been in financial troubles, going into administration and even failing to pay the players' wages for 2months in a row at the beginning of the 2009/10 season. During this season Portsmouth failed to gain any points for the first 7 games of the season, losing them all.
<br>
<br>About the Author: To find out more about Portsmouth and the surrounding area visit <a href="http://www.activportsmouth.com" rel="nofollow">Activ Portsmouth</a>, your online guide to Portsmouthm
<br>