15 things to do on a rainy day in Portsmouth

If the weather is bad, there is still plenty to do here in Portsmouth. Here are our top 15 things to do on a rainy day in Portsmouth

  1. Visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and explore the many historic ships and exhibits, including the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum. As part of the ticket you can take a boat tour of Portsmouth Harbor to see the city from a different perspective and learn about its rich maritime history. Raincoats advised! You can also visit the Submarine Museum and the Museum of Naval fire Power in Gosport.
  2. Go up the Spinnaker Tower for a panoramic view of the city and the harbour.
  3. Visit the Portsmouth Museum, which has a wide range of artefacts and exhibits on the city's history and culture.
  4. Visit Portsmouth Cathedral, a historic cathedral dating back to the 11th century.
  5. Visit Gunwharf Quays, a designer outlet shopping and dining complex with over 90 shops, restaurants, and cafes.
  6. Visit the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, which is dedicated to the life and works of the famous author.
  7. For more literary heroes, you can visit the Conan Doyle Collection at Portsmouth Museum and learn how Sherlock Holmes came to life. 
  8. Visit Southsea Castle, a historical fort built in 1544 by King Henry VIII.
  9. Take a trip to the D-Day Story, which tells the story of the Normandy landings and the Battle of Normandy during World War II.
  10. Visit the new Pitt Street Indoor Skatepark, which also hosts roller discos! 
  11. Visit pigeon books on Albert Road, an independent bookshop that offers a wide range of books for all ages.
  12. Visit dog-friendly Southsea Coffee Co, a cosy Coffee shop that offers a wide range of drinks and snacks.
  13. Sit inside the Coffee Cup Cafe on the seafront and watch the waves crash onto the shore.
  14. Buy fish and chips and eat them in your car on the seafront
  15. Visit Exploria with the kids, a huge indoor soft play area on the seafront