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It's a small cockle stall selling, yep you guessed it, cockles. But they also do the MOST amazing hot chocolate with bits of Mars Bars floating in it and topped with marshmallows. V indulgent and naughty but a great winter warmer.
The Hard, Portsmouth. Between Portsmouth Harbour train station and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's entrance.
Stan, who despite the name is a real French bloke, cooks some fantastic, unusual and delicious rustic French food and loads of different sausages and mash, veggie options too. All of this is served at Little Johnny Russell's. It's a great pub in Albert Road, Southsea. Visit it... good food, great music, lovely staff.
Albert Road,
Southsea,
www.littlejohnnyrussells.com
Fort Nelson is a brilliant place to go for all the family. It was built in the 1860s protecting the famous harbour in Portsmouth when a French invasion was expected (but it didn’t happen). The museum is free all year round. It has 350 big guns including Saddam Hussein’s giant ‘Supergun’.
If you go in the holidays, there are gun firings that are loud and exciting. You can also go down to spooky tunnels where the gunpowder used to be kept or climb on the ramparts. There are also people dressed in soldiers’ suits who tell you about the fort, including a man (who is also dressed and with his sword) who tells a story about a battle.
From Josh Owen (age 10)
Do a great deal with 2 portions of fish and chips and a bottle of wine. Sit outside and watch the ships come and go. Fantastic!
Bath Square, Portsmouth PO1 2JL
Tel: 023 9282 1567
A little French cafe in Southsea. Amazing food, friendly service and fairly cheap prices. It's a place to relax, enjoy your food and hang out with your friends.
37 Marmion Rd, Southsea, at the end of the High Street, opposite Waitrose;
tel: 023 9282 5113
One of the best restaurants I've been to - intimate with great service and fab food. The pick-your-own fish counter is the main attraction, all terribly fresh and mouth-watering! Even my hubby (who hates fish) found a great selection, so a 'hit' with all.
123 High Street, Old Portsmouth, just along from the Cathedral;
tel: 02392 811 303;
www.lemonsole.co.uk
Yesterday I took my family to Southsea for the day. The weather was glorious and the people so friendly. The highlight of our visit though, was the couple of hours we spent at Clarence Pier. It has a Wimpy, penny arcades, an indoor kiddie play area but best of all about a dozen amusement rides. We bought a family bag of tokens for twenty pounds and were given another five pounds free. It was a great afternoon and money well spent. I would recommend it to anyone.
Clarence Pier, Southsea
www.clarencepier.co.uk
I took some friends on a ghost walk in Old Portsmouth. It was a fantastic mix of history (and there is loads in Portsmouth) and some scary gruesome stories. Actors were on hand to keep us on edge. The highlight was going into the Round Tower (which is not usually open to the public) - biggest shock of the night. Which I won't tell you about in case I ruin it for anyone else that may go. Great fun!
It started at the Square Tower, Old Portsmouth but what was good was that you could book your tickets in advance online. www.darkencounters.co.uk
Because it's totally buzzing at this time of year (August) and a really fun place to be (and cooler with the sea breeze). But even in the winter it's great to have a 'blustery' walk along the front, certainly blows away those cobwebs!
Southsea seafront, Portsmouth
Gunwharf Quays is a designer outlet on Portsmouth Harbour. It's a great place to pick up a few bargains with outlets by Paul Smith, GAP, Next, Burberry, Nike, and loads more including some "kitchen" shops. The day we were there, there was a skateboard event on that kept my 7 year old nephew very happy, and the week before there had been a Food Festival with Ken Hom, so seems there is always something happening.
Had lunch at Strada - there are lots of restaurants to choose from, including the usual Burger King up to Loch Fyne and other "good restaurants". Would recommend for a family day out, or just to break the bank shopping!
Every Sunday throughout the summer, live bands perform at The Bandstand - disco, indie, ska, jazz, 60s, 70s & 80s favourites, blues, rock, folk, country, RnB - you name it! Take a picnic and settle in on the grass for the afternoon, free entertainment and a great view out to sea to boot; recommended for the whole family.
The Bandstand on Southsea seafront, immediately in front of the D-Day Museum car park.
The amazing 170m tall viewing tower in Portsmouth has fantastic panoramic views over the harbour and out towards the Isle of Wight. It also has Europe's largest glass floor on its first viewing deck ,which kids and adults alike can't get enough of... so long as you've got the nerve to take the first step on it!
Located on the fab development of Gunwharf Quays with is bustling bars and restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating in the summer and great shops to keep mums quiet too!
www.spinnakertower.co.uk
Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1
Recently opened fine fresh seafood stall selling cockles from Whitstable, whelks from Donegal, jellied eels, seafood mixes, prawns, mussels and crabsticks. Food is quality served by Dave and his family. New business and already looking to expand.
Opposite war memorial on Clarence Parade, Southsea ,Portsmouth. Plenty of parking.
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