FF Travel & Tourism - Winter 2024

TRAVEL & TOURISM NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP

DISCOVER

ALL THAT CORNWALL HAS TO OFFER FOR FAMILIES

Explore a packed programme of family events in Portsmouth

Get back to nature OUTDOORS in the nation’s fascinating forests

FREE | WINTER 2024

From 24th January 2024

alo’s Celebrate the Gruff orestry F a t a y a d th ir b th 5 2 ar you. e n d n la d o o w d n la g En y items, Find the missing part Gruffalo pick a present for the n and enjoy lots more fu trail activities!

Only

£4 Grab a trail t pack to ge the party started.

The Gruffalo ©1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd. The Gruffalo ©1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Find out more:

forestryengland.uk/ gruffalo-party-trail

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A new hidden world of adventure at Blenheim Palace

Create fun family memories in South East England this year If you’re looking for fun family-friendly activities this summer, South East England has got you covered.

F

rom vast, golden sandy beaches to secluded coastal gems, bustling towns to quiet country retreats and interactive museums to modern thrills, there’s

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Blenheim Palace has unveiled its biggest family-themed attraction with the opening of a brand-new Adventure Play experience in spring 2023. Located within the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site’s historic Walled Gardens, the Lost Garden Adventure Play is a hidden world of adventure, where mini explorers of all ages can clamber, climb, paddle, slide, splash and zip through an amazing network of quirky wooden structures, interactive water features, play trails and winding walkways.

plenty to keep the family entertained whatever your taste or budget.

Choo choo….Kids for a quid on the Bluebell Railway The Bluebell Railway in East Sussex offers a fantastic value day out for the family as children (ages 3-15) travel for just £1 at weekends and school holidays. The railway also hosts regular family events on selected weekends throughout the year, combining the heritage railway with all sorts of family fun, from dinosaurs to circus skills and reptiles to Peppa Pig.

Golf, go-karts and ice cream in White Cliffs Country

Roman Landings Adventure Golf on the seafront at Walmer, Kent is a fun day out for every generation. Follow the 18 holes on a golfing adventure through Roman camps, galley ships, castles and rafts. The on-site, electric go-kart track is always a hit for children up to the age of 12 and for toddlers there’s an adjoining paddling pool. After all that fun head to the café for a scoop of Solley’s – Kent’s favourite ice cream.

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including sounds, smells, bubbles, wind and movement.

properties. At Osborne on the Isle of Wight, one of Queen Victoria’s favourite pets has lost the Queen’s gloves – can you follow the trail to find them using the clues around the house? Continue the island adventure at Carisbrooke Castle, where kids can climb the cobblestoned stairs and walk the narrow walkways of the Norman keep. And don’t forget to meet the famous team of donkeys who demonstrate a centuries-old tradition at the castle.

Blow off some steam at beautiful Bewl Water

Home to the largest stretch of inland water in the South East, Bewl Water in East Sussex boasts a stunning reservoir, scenic woodland walks, cycle paths and activities for the whole family. Beat the obstacles, challenge the family and watch them totally wipe out on the giant, inflatable aqua park or try your hand at windsurfing, sailing or paddleboarding. Prefer to stay on dry land? Then head to the brand new adventure park and nature trails or join in the family activities such as ultimate frisbee, laser tag and rounders.

“There’s plenty to keep the family entertained whatever your taste or budget” Great fun in Windsor Great Park

With 5,000 acres of countryside, Windsor Great Park is a wonderful natural playground for children.

Play hide and seek in the woodlands with its ancient great oaks, enjoy ball games and kite flying on the lawns.

Adventure Play, a brand new, handcrafted adventure playground that opened in summer 2023 next to The Savill Garden providing a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses. And pre-schoolers don’t miss out as there’s also low-level play equipment on the Obelisk Lawn, a few minutes from The Savill Garden.

Meet the ‘locals’ at Knockhatch Adventure Park

Meet the four-legged and winged ‘locals’ at Knockhatch Adventure Park near Eastbourne. Join in the animal encounters and keeper experiences at the Children’s Farm to handle some of the animals and learn about them in a fun and safe environment. Then go wild in the numerous outdoor and indoor adventure playgrounds.

Race your family down the 30m dual zipwire to storm the Dragon’s Castle, lay the castle to siege with the ‘battering ram’ rope swing and are you brave enough to clamber down into the Dungeon to face the Red Dragon himself?

Dive into history at Hampshire’s newest attraction

Dive into the untold story of the finding, excavation and recovery of the Mary Rose in the museum’s brand new 4D immersive theatre experience, which puts visitors closer to the action than ever before. Join the divers as they discover the first timbers, excavate the shipwreck, recover her treasures and return the Mary Rose to the surface for the first time in 437 years – all brought to life with a combination of archive footage and CGI, as well as multi-sensory features

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Tales and treasures on the Isle of Wight Travel back in time with your family and discover fascinating tales and treasures at English Heritage’s collection of historic

For more ideas and inspiration for great family days out visit: visitsoutheastengland.com

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Wrap up warm and head out

on a forest adventure Winter is a great time to reconnect with nature and each other.

It’s the perfect opportunity to spot wildlife in and around the bare trees and focus on the beauty of your surroundings.

W

hile many trees lay dormant waiting for spring, the forest itself is still full of activity and there are plenty of things to do and discover. So, head out for some quality time together, exploring all that your local woodland has to offer.

Here are five ways to have some family forest fun this winter

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Join the Gruffalo birthday fun from

January 24th. Go on an unforgettable adventure and celebrate the Gruffalo’s 25th anniversary on a brand-new family trail.

The interactive trail features all sorts of party-themed activities, games and fun facts.

Help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember.

Search for balloons, pine cones, cupcakes and the Gruffalo himself, and complete lots of activities and rubbings as you go along. Grab a party trail pack before you set off to help you complete all the trail activities

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(available to buy at participating forests for £4). If you venture out into the deep dark wood, you may even bump into a lifesize Gruffalo sculpture! Visit forestryengland.uk/ gruffalo for more details and trail locations.

Try a wellbeing trail. Take some time for you or as a family to pause and let your senses take in the forest around you on a mindful walk. Being amongst the trees actively noticing nature is proven to boost your mental and physical wellbeing. There are 18 wellbeing trails across the country and each one is set in a unique backdrop. Themed panels along the way offer activities and prompts to help you to notice and connect with the forest around you.

“Forests are the perfect low-cost place to enjoy time together as a family, making memories and taking care of your wellbeing” Discover winter wildlife on a woodland walk. Listen out for small animals scurrying across the forest floor and the sound of bird song on the breeze. Keep your eyes peeled for animal tracks like footprints in the mud or snow. The nation’s forests have miles of paths to explore with many easy access trails, perfect for strollers and buggies, or for those wanting a walk off the beaten track, you could try a mountain hike or a pinewood trail.

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“Listen out for small animals scurrying across the forest floor and the sound of bird song on the breeze” Head out on two wheels and discover the forest on one of the many cycling routes. There are gentle family trails, bike skills areas to hone your child’s abilities and beginner mountain bike trails, perfect for starting your children out on their cycling journey.

Have a go at one of our fun forest activity sheets! You’ll find lots

of activities to do at home or out in the forest, including stargazing and wildlife activities, tree ID, Gruffalo winter crafts and many more – all free to download at forestryengland.uk/ article/forest-activity-sheets Forests are the perfect low-cost place to enjoy time together as a family, making memories and taking care of your wellbeing.

Forestry England membership is also available, so you can support forests and get free parking, along with many other great benefits.

Visit forestryengland.uk to find out what is local to you – the forest awaits!

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“There is something in Devon for everyone”

Family-friendly

Devon

Devon has been known for being a great familyfriendly destination for holidays and day trips for many years and is the ‘go to’ destination for many families, as there is something to see and do for everyone – whatever their interests and age.

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“Devon really is the destination for family holidays, accommodating the tiniest tot to the ‘hard to please’ teenager ”

D

evon is an ideal family holiday destination, whether you are looking for safe familyfriendly beaches for a ‘bucket and spade’ style holiday and exploring the many rock pools to discover what mystical creatures live there, or a visit to the numerous theme parks for the thrill seekers and the active.

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It also boasts farm attractions set in the beautiful Devon countryside and there are zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens to visit, too. Lovers of culture and arts will be in their element, with many museums and historic attractions run by English Heritage or the National Trust – there is something in Devon for everyone. And, during these challenging economic times, you’ll get great value for money too. There are many things to see and do that are free to visit, making your holiday more affordable and allowing you to make incredible memories to last a lifetime.

Activities are in abundance, such as rock climbing on Dartmoor. The many tors that are scattered across Dartmoor

National Park are ideal for scaling, and when at the top of the rock, you’ll get spectacular views that will take your breath away. And if that doesn’t thrill you, try an exhilarating ride at one of the many theme parks or surfing in North Devon, which has just been named the UK’s only ‘Surf Reserve’. This puts it on a level with Malibu in California or Noosa in Australia. Devon really is the destination for family holidays, accommodating the tiniest tot to the ‘hard to please’ teenager – and everything in between.

Even those attractions that aren’t necessarily ‘aimed’ at children, are still very good at keeping their smaller visitors happy. They often go above and beyond to make sure that there’s something for them too, especially during the school holidays where you can find activities, workshops and interactive exhibitions across the county’s museums, galleries and historic buildings.

Family-friendly beaches

With two coastlines, one of them being a UNESCO World Heritage site and another one falling within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you are never too far from one of Devon’s incredible beaches. With a lovely mix of sand, pebbles, hidden coves, miles of space and small private beaches – again, there is something for everyone here.

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“Devon’s safe and clean beaches is one of the reasons why it is such a popular destination for families”

water slides or race each other across the park, there are indoor play areas for if the weather turns and some parks even have a selection of animal residents that you can befriend while you’re there. Some of them even offer the chance to do a spot of sheep or pig racing! Speaking of animals, Devon has a host of lovely animal attractions, from the large – such as the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth and Paignton Zoo – to the smaller options like Dartmoor Zoo or Exmoor Zoo. Whichever one you choose, they are all great at educating and entertaining children about native or exotic animals or marine life.

History and heritage

sure to check the signs dotted around the beach before stepping onto the sand. You can also find a full list of dog-friendly beaches in Devon here: https://bit. ly/3P3ufX8

Make a splash

Having a British beach holiday is such a quintessential part of growing up and Devon’s safe and clean beaches is one of the reasons why it is such a popular destination for families. Devon is home to a host of Blue Flag beaches and many of them have won awards for being great places for kids to do what kids do – muck about and have fun! With long stretches of sand, sheltered clean waters, good facilities and often rock pools a-plenty, they’re a great place to spend a day. Several of them are manned by lifeguards during the peak months too, so you can relax and let the kids’ enjoy themselves. Paignton, Westward Ho!, Woolacombe, Exmouth and Dawlish Warren beaches are all popular beaches for families, as they have lots of nearby facilities, including toilets and kiosks full of refreshments!

Dog-friendly beaches

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether dogs are allowed on beaches, the simple answer is yes – most of them! Places like Saunton Sands, Instow, Beesands Beach and Salcombe North Sands welcome dogs all year around, while many of the others have restrictions at certain times of the year or areas that are dog friendly. Just make

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One thing that sets Devon’s beaches apart from others is the array of water sports available at them. North Devon is part of the UK’s first-ever surf reserve because it has the perfect conditions for surfing and other similar sports. During the summer months, you’ll find plenty of organisations along the seafront offering everything from tuition to equipment hire, so whether you’re a seasoned pro or want to give yourself a fun new challenge, everyone can get involved! Croyde Bay in North Devon is one of the most used beaches by water sports enthusiasts, while Woolacombe is better for beginners as the surf is a little calmer. You don’t have to be in North Devon though, you can enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and a host of others in the English Riviera, South Devon and East Devon too!

Whether you want to chill out on the sand, indulge in some water sports, explore the South West Coast Path or just discover some wonderful creatures in the rockpools, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Devon’s beaches.

Devon adventures

Did you know Devon is home to several theme and adventure parks offering a host of different rides? You’ll find some of the biggest rides in the South West in the county and all of them are great fun for the whole family, whether you’re travelling with little kids, big kids or even elderly kids! If you dare, take on

Devon has a diverse history and plenty of heritage and one great way to explore this is by visiting a castle or stately home.

National organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage manage a variety of heritage attractions across the county and both offer lovely familyfriendly days out, with activities, trails and additional workshops, particularly during the school holidays. Many of them are also happy to welcome dogs, so the whole family can join in!

Explore the outdoors

For some, there is nothing better than running around a park or garden and there are plenty around Devon for you to walk around, cycle through or play in dedicated play areas. There are often some amazing facilities right next door where you can pick up refreshments and they are a great option for the outdoorsy types who like to spend time in nature.

It isn’t just the National Parks or landscaped gardens that make Devon a good family destination – the region isn’t known for being Mother Nature’s Playground for nothing. You can check out opportunities to take on assault courses or the waves with some water sports or any other adventure activities.

Accommodation options

Wherever you choose to base yourself, on your Devon getaway you can guarantee excellent accommodation to suit all requirements and budgets. A choice of hotels, whether coastal with an excellent view of the sea or somewhere more rural with nothing but sprawling fields outside your window, there is something for you.

Whether you want a self-catered cottage or barn conversion, a stay on a working farm, a B&B or a grand hotel in Devon, there is an extensive choice.

Devon is full of friendly campsites or if you want something a little more unique, you’ll find a whole host of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. visitdevon.co.uk

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Holiday cottages fit for families...

Whether you’re after a dog-friendly break, beachside cottage or luxury family home with its very own swimming pool, we’re sure we have the ideal escape for you. Choose from over 1000 holiday cottages in fabulous coastal, waterside and rural locations throughout Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and the New Forest.

For friendly advice from our local teams, call us or visit our website www.toadhallcottages.co.uk | 01548 202020

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Explore Devon’s Hidden Gem

The monks welcome you to their home and hope you find peace and tranquillity here.

Groups welcome, to book Groups: 01364 645532 or Accommodation: 01364 645630 and quote UTFTTG24 Abbey Church • Working Monastery • Exhibition • Gardens • Shops • Restaurants • Hotel & Conference Centre Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE • www.buckfast.org.uk

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Choose from a range of shorter 5 day adventures to full blown 19 day expeditions in the wildest corners of the UK.

Adventures available for 10–22-year-olds

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BLACKPOOL WHERE EVERY SEASON’S A REASON TO VISIT THE UK’S FAVOURITE SEASIDE RESORT

It comes as no surprise that Blackpool is a popular destination over the summer, but did you know that the fun extends to all the seasons? Whatever the weather, there is so much to see, so much to do, and so much to enjoy. Take a look and plan your visit to the ultimate family resort.

SPRING Blackpool blooms with exciting new additions.

Welcome the season with a visit to Showtown, a brand new interactive museum set to open in March. Explore Blackpool’s first major public art trail, Elmer’s Big Parade, as it takes over key locations with a herd of uniquely decorated elephant sculptures from April 13.

SUMMER

AUTUMN

WINTER

It’s at this time of year when the season is in full swing and there’s fun aplenty. Action-packed adventures await with Blackpool’s awardwinning sandy beaches and the largest range of visitor attractions in one place outside of London. August brings the exhilarating Blackpool Air Show too – a must-see free event!

When autumn’s chill sets in, the resort awakens with an electrifying mix of free events. Enjoy six miles of Blackpool Illuminations, watch the skies come alive during the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool, and don’t miss the freeto-see Lightpool Festival with its enchanting Light Art Trail.

Blackpool’s Tower Festival Headland is magically transformed into a breath-taking festive village as Christmas By The Sea returns. With a sackful of shows and pantomimes to choose from around town, all that remains is to choose your cosiest Christmas jumper and experience the true magic of Blackpool.

Plan your trip at: visitblackpool.com

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Visit

Cornwall Cornwall, with its expanse of coastline and luscious green countryside, remains a beloved destination for family getaways and romantic staycations alike. Its rich Celtic history is woven into a unique culture that makes it feel like home, drawing people back year after year.

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H

istorical marvels include the dramatic Tintagel Castle, steeped in Arthurian legend, and the iconic St Michael’s Mount. Art enthusiasts flock to the Tate St Ives, while the stories of the sea come alive at the National Maritime Museum Falmouth. Theatre-goers enjoy an experience like no other at the Minack, and the thrill-seekers are spoiled for choice with adventures on land, underground, and on the water. The region isn’t short of a glorious garden either, from the enchanting Lost Gardens of Heligan, to the diverse ecosystems housed in the Eden Project’s famous Biomes.

Whilst the region is a popular choice for a summer holiday, Cornwall also offers enticing off-season breaks. Spring invites exploration of magnificent gardens and historic sites, while autumn beckons visitors to venture inland and unearth the hidden treasures away from the coastline.

During the winter, wrap up warm for fresh beach walks, cosy up by crackling fires, or indulge in total relaxation at one of Cornwall’s top spas.

With as much or as little to do as you please, there really is something for everyone in Cornwall.

light that has inspired many over the years, from the naïve art of Alfred Wallis to the bold colourful work of Terry Frost.

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Falmouth

Falmouth’s maritime legacy and coastal culture is a huge part of its charm. The town is surrounded by several fantastic family-friendly beaches and is known for its year-round events calendar. From the Sea Shanty Festival to the popular Falmouth Week; there’s never a dull day in Falmouth!

TOP 5 TOWNS:

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Padstow

A must visit for foodies, Padstow is home to a plethora of restaurants, with celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth leading the scene. From fresh seafood to innovative menus, Padstow is an irresistible destination for anyone passionate about exceptional dining experiences.

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the skyline, while cobbled streets lead to eclectic shops and vibrant markets. For a small city, it boasts a vast amount of outdoor space; from the quaint Victoria Gardens with its traditional bandstand, to the magical Enchanted Trail nestled in Coosebean Woodland.

5

Penzance

Head west and experience the beauty of Penzance. The town has burst onto the cultural scene and is a popular choice for artists.

For a quintessential Cornish moment, grab some fish and chips, take a walk along the promenade, and enjoy the spectacular views out across Mount’s Bay. The more adventurous might fancy a plunge in the art deco Jubilee Pool, which now uses 21stcentury technology to pipe warm water from beneath the ground to heat a section, letting you swim all year round.

Truro

Cornwall’s one and only city radiates a chic, urban charm that’s reflected in endless shopping opportunities and some of the best restaurants and bars in the county.

The iconic Truro Cathedral dominates

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St Ives

St Ives has everything you need for a holiday in Cornwall. A choice of beaches, stunning views, great surf, a wide range of places to eat and some of the finest art galleries in the UK. Not only that, but St Ives has the most beautiful

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Dear Emma, So here we all are, high on the hill in the castle by the sea overlooking the bay and the iconic harbour town of St Ives in Cornwall.

The whole family is having so much fun.

There’s so much to do from swimming, tennis, badminton and golf!

Best holiday ever!

Lots of love, Daisy xx

With a choice of sea view hotel rooms, family-friendly apartments and a range of self-catering properties, you can make our castle your home, and our resort your playground this summer.

BOOK YOUR STAY: www.tregenna-castle.co.uk 01736 795 254

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29th March - 1st April 2024 Come along for this eggcellent adventure with the whole family! Meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, ride around the railway, play in soft play, explore the trail in the museum and more!

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Visit

Portsmouth where there’s loads to explore in ‘24!

With world-class attractions, miles of coastline and a packed programme of events, Portsmouth is the ideal place for your next family staycation.

B

eing the UK’s only island city, Portsmouth offers the best of both worlds - with loads to see and do but also plenty of space to relax enjoy the fresh sea air.

2024 is the ideal time to visit, with some big events to take in. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, when tens of thousands of troops crossed the English Channel from Portsmouth for the invasion that would turn the

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tide of the Second World War. There will be a host of commemoration events taking place not just on the anniversary itself (6 June) but all year round.

Many of these will focus on The D-Day Story, the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to those momentous events of 1944. As well as artefacts from the campaign, The D-Day Story has personal testimonies of those involved, to really put you in the shoes of those brave soldiers making the crossing.

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It also has LCT 7074 (the enormous Landing Craft Tank, which is the last of its kind from D-Day) and the 83-metre long Overlord Embroidery, which tells the story of the invasion through incredible hand-stitched panels.

There are more fascinating stories to discover at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you’ll not only see the ships that made history, but go on board too. Head onto HMS Victory to walk in the footsteps of Admiral Lord Nelson, or see the awe-inspiring HMS Warrior which, despite being so well built it was said to have made all other warships obsolete on the day it launched, never actually fired a shot in anger.

You can also visit the world-class Mary Rose Museum, to see the remains of Henry VIII’s beloved warship, returned to the surface after 437 years on the seabed. As well as the ship itself, there’s a whole host of artefacts on display that were also

recovered alongside, giving a neverbefore-seen insight into Tudor life.

After all that why not indulge in a little retail therapy? Gunwharf Quays is the waterfront outlet centre, where over 90 brands offer up to 60% off RRP. There’s clothing, homeware, beauty, gifting and more, as well as a selection of shops to pick up a sweet treat for yourself. Gunwharf Quays is also home to 30 bars and restaurants - featuring all the big name favourites you know and love - not to mention a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, contemporary art gallery, casino, MiniPort and more.

Also within Gunwharf Quays you’ll find Spinnaker Tower. Head up the high-speed lift to one of three view decks for a breath-taking view out across the city and The Solent. On View Deck 1 there are information panels detailing what there is to see, as well as a glass floor - one for the brave! Then up on View Deck 2 is The Clouds - a café offering a very high tea by day and the immensely popular Sky Bar at night (where you can drink in the view with a freshly made cocktail). Finally, View Deck 3 is home to the Sky Garden, with its open roof exposing visitors to the elements and really showing how high up you are!

Of course, you can’t visit the seaside and not take in the beach.

There’s more than three miles of it stretching from Old Portsmouth to Eastney, giving you plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy either a sunbathe in the summer or a bracing winter walk when the temperatures drop.

Alongside part of the beach you’ll find Southsea Common, a vast open parkland that’s great for picnics, ball games and walks with the family. You can pick up supplies from the nearby Palmerston Road (the main High Street in Southsea) and enjoy a day at the coast with lots of space to roam.

Portsmouth’s event programme is always busy, so you can be sure there’s something on whenever you visit.

Probably the largest is Victorious Festival, which takes place on Southsea Common during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The award-winning event not only welcomes some of the biggest names in music and comedy, it also has an excellent provision for families.

There’s a whole Kids Arena with fairground rides, craft activities and live music, which open until 6pm, offering fun things to do for all ages.

Then when day turns to evening you can enjoy sets from some huge names in music - with recent years seeing UK festival exclusives from some of the world’s most successful bands.

2024 also sees the return of We Shine Portsmouth, which shines a jolt of light into the darker November evenings. Internationally renowned artists will display large-scale installations that are sure to wow and inspire in equal measure.

Of course, all this is without even mentioning the two Matcham theatres, great restaurants, wonderful places to visit and so more to enjoy in Portsmouth. See visitportsmouth. co.uk for full details on all there is to see and do at the Great Waterfront City, and build a bespoke itinerary ahead of your next visit.

There’s all this to discover (and loads more) at Portsmouth this year, so start planning your next adventure at visitportsmouth.co.uk.

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