LOCAL AREA

Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben. Situated on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, it offers amazing 350 degree panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, with views stretching out for up to 23 miles – breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights by night.

Shop at over 95 designer outlets, eat at one of 30 cosmopolitan bars & restaurants, work it off at the health & fitness centre, catch a film at the 14 screen Vue cinema, bowl at the 26 lane Bowlplex and dance the night away at Tiger Tiger. Landscaped in a historic setting, with the famous Dockyard and Old Portsmouth only a short walk away, Gunwharf Quays is where old and new come together.

Visit the world famous historic ships at the home of the Royal Navy. Go aboard HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and see the Mary Rose Museum for the best day out in the South of England. Portsmouth Harbour’s leading attraction also includes the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Action Stations and Harbour Tours. The Historic Dockyard is a great place to experience 800 years of naval history surrounded by working docks and historic buildings.

The Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea, Portsmouth, has been voted Visitor Attraction of the Year by Tourism South East. Situated on Clarence Esplanade, between the two piers overlooking the busy Solent, Blue Reef Aquarium is a great visit whatever the weather. Be amazed by animals ranging from local marine species to the hundreds of tropical fish in the gigantic ocean display complete with underwater tunnel.

The main University Campus is a short walk from the hotel.

Open April-September The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is the perfect place to start exploring and experiencing the work of one of England’s most famous and best-loved writers.

Open April - October 10-5pm November - March weekends only 10-4pm The National Museum of the Royal Navy has been working towards creating a new Royal Marines Museum at the heart of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, placing the singular history of the Corps in its rightful place within the wider story of the Royal Navy.

Steeped in history with 60 miles of stunning unspoilt scenery and a wealth of attractions, the Isle of Wight has something for everyone. From historic sites to natural delights, music festivals and major national events, it is a unique holiday destination. The Isle of Wight currently has 13 award winning beaches of which 3 are blue flag winners.

West Quay Shopping Centre is situated in the heart of Southampton, with all the major retail outlets and so much more the West Quay Shopping Centre is an ideal place to come in all weather to enjoy a day of retail therapy.

A visit to Marwell Wildlife is a chance to get close to the wonders of the natural world – and play a big part in helping to save them. From ring-tailed coatis to red-eyed tree frogs, laughing kookaburra to frilled lizards, giraffe-nosed catfishes to bat-eared foxes – our 140-acre park is home to over 250 exotic and endangered species, in beautiful, landscaped surroundings.

At South Downs National Park there is so much to do and see in this area, from walking, cycling or horse riding across the Downs, exploring wildlife in the wetlands, visiting one of the many heritage sites or even, if the kids are old enough, experiencing opera at the world famous Glyndebourne. The extraordinary South Downs Way offers a real opportunity to escape the hustle of everyday life. Along this 160 kilometre National Trail, you can walk through ancient woodlands.

Eastney is a long, fairly wide, pebble beach at the eastern end of an approximately 3.5 km (2 mile)continuous stretch of coast between Southsea Castle and Fort Cumberland. The southern suburbs of Portsmouth are close by, so locals find this a convenient place to swim and cool down on hot, sunny days. To the west, the beach merges with Southsea Beach.