Portsmouth

About Portsmouth

A port city and naval base, Portsmouth can be found on the south coast of England. It is a popular tourist destination for those with an interest in the history of the Royal Navy and large ships. It is home to HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and Mary Rose; the Tudor ship is conserved in the dockyard museum.

Portsmouth is a busy cross channel ferry port with regular sailings to France and Spain and also the start point for cruises run by a number of cruise operators.

Whilst Portsmouth does not have an airport of its own, Southampton International Airport is just 22 miles away and connects to other UK cities the Channel Islands and destinations in France and the Netherlands. Gatwick and Heathrow are around 60 miles away, and offer connections further afield. There is a direct train connecting Gatwick and Portsmouth whilst the journey from Southampton airport to Portsmouth takes just 50 minutes.

Portsmouth is connected by a comprehensive railway network to cities and towns along the South coast and beyond. There are direct services to London (2 hrs 10 mins), Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Bath with onward connections to other UK destinations.

There are excellent road connections in Portsmouth with the A3 connecting to London (1hr 30 mins) and the A27/M27 linking to the motorway network. The city has plenty of electric charging points for those arriving in electric vehicles and whilst there is a Clean Air Zone restriction in place, this does not currently apply to private vehicles.

As a significant tourist destination for those beginning cruises, Portsmouth is home to some fantastic hotels for project management course attendees too. With the majority of project management courses in Portsmouth lasting a few days, it is a good idea to secure appropriate accommodation nearby. Here are a few to consider.

Village Hotel Portsmouth, PO6 3FR

This eco-certified hotel is located just a short walk from Portsmouth Cosham railway station, and a 22 minute drive from Southampton airport. All of the rooms offer free Wi-Fi and workstations making this a great choice for anyone who needs to keep in touch with the office. Payable self-parking is also available as well as a good number of accessible parking spaces. There are bookable meeting rooms in the hotel, perfect for project management courses and all of the usual amenities you would expect.

Stattons Hotel & Restaurant, PO5 2NE

Located close to the station and very close to the beaches, this stunning hotel was refurbished in 2020. This is a good option for anyone coming by car. The hotel offers a number of parking options; both payable and free. The hotel offers a good range of dining options too, including both vegetarian and vegan menu options. There are no meeting rooms or additional business facilities at the hotel. However, it is well placed for exploring the local area and even offers bike hire.

Portsmouth Marriot Hotel, PO6 4SH

A 3 minute drive from Fareham, Portchester station the Portsmouth Marriott hotel is a large hotel with all the amenities you would expect from a 4-star hotel. There is free Wi-Fi in public areas and payable Wi-Fi in the rooms. On site parking is payable due to the central location of the hotel. It boasts 11 meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre, which is handy for those who may need to contact the office whilst on a project management course in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth has plenty to offer and you are sure to have some free time in the evenings so why not make the most of your stay.

Restaurants

From modern British cuisine to classic cuisine, Portsmouth and its surrounding areas offer a total of 5 restaurants that appear in the Michelin Guide.

Cassons (Arundel Road, Tangmere, PO18 0DU) offers rustic surroundings and a classic menu with bold flavours and a thoroughly modern approach. The portions are a good size, and they also have regular gourmet evenings.

36 on the Quay (47 South Street, The Quay, Emsworth, PO10 7EG) is a little different from some of the restaurants in the Michelin Guide. This cosy quayside cottage offers an intimate dining experience with a difference. The menu offers modern dishes with a variety of different textures and flavours. Their desserts are particularly spectacular.

If you prefer something a little more classic then the Horse & Groom (East Ashling, PO18 9AX) is an elegant restaurant with a range of dishes that include some fantastic pub classics.

Thanks to its status as a major port city, Portsmouth itself is a melting pot of different cuisines so if you would prefer something that is a little more accessible and closer to the city centre then you are certain to find something to suit your taste. From traditional steak or fish and chip eateries to Turkish, Tapas and Indian restaurants you really will be spoilt for choice.

Entertainment

Gunwharf Quays (PO1) may be a popular shopping area during the day but in the evening, they are the ideal place to visit with a wide variety of bars, clubs and venues for music and dancing. There is also a casino in the vicinity for those who fancy a little gaming.

If you want to take in a performance of some kind during your stay in Portsmouth, then the Guildhall (PO1 2AB) offers a diverse selection of performances and concerts including comedy acts and even professional wrestling events. Alternatively, the heritage-listed Kings Theatre (PO5 2QJ) plays host to a number of travelling musical theatre events throughout the year.

No trip to Portsmouth is complete without a trip to the Spinnaker Tower Comedy Club (PO1 3TT). This iconic building hosts up and coming and well known comedians throughout the year with an ever changing events programme. The tower’s deck is a must as well offering some spectacular views across the city to one side and out across the water to the other.