By boat from Gosport

Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour lies west of Chichester, with an entrance from the English Channel between Selsey and Hayling Island. It comprises an area of some twenty-seven square miles of navigable water and provides some of the most rewarding scenery in the south of England.
www.chichesterweb.co.uk/harbour.htm

Langstone Harbour

Langstone Harbour is the centre of three linked harbours on Hampshire's southeast coast, with Portsmouth Harbour to the west and Chichester Harbour to the east. The harbour is important for its environmental designations, and commercial shipping, fishing and recreational boating have been supported in the harbour for many years.
www.langstoneharbour.org.uk/

Cowes Yacht Haven, IOW

Cowes Yacht Haven represents the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Centrally located, visitors have instant access to Cowes town centre, the Parade, with its range of yacht clubs, including the historic Royal Yacht Squadron, and beautiful Northwood Park, with its tennis, mini-golf facilities and pleasant walks.
www.yachthavens.com/yachthaven

Beaulieu River & Buckler's Hard

The Beaulieu River is a small river, which flows south through the New Forest . The river is some 12 miles long, of which the last 4 miles are tidal. The name is pronounced BEW-lee. A short sail to the river will take you to Buckler’s Hard –picturesque 18th century village on the banks of the river. Historically, it is famed as the place where some of the ships of Nelson's fleet were built.
www.bucklershard.co.uk

The Folly, Medina River, IOW

The Folly Inn on the banks of the River Medina is a popular location for sailors. You can moor up at one of the visitor’s pontoons and sample a wide selection of hot and cold food and live music at the weekends. Excellent ales are served and a friendly river taxi is available to ferry you back to your boat.
www.follyinn.com/

The Jolly Sailor, Bursledon

As locations go, you would be hard pressed to beat The Jolly Sailor at Old Bursledon. The pub is right on the water’s edge overlooking the River, with seating along its frontage as well as on a covered wooden jetty. It is the perfect place to sit and unwind with a cold beer, watching the yachts come and go on a lazy sunny day. The pub has recently undergone a refit with a longer more modern bar, but has still managed to retain its olde worlde feel.
www.hants.gov.uk/hambleharbour/jollys.html

Lymington - SailTime Base

The very attractive Georgian market town of Lymington lies at the western end of The Solent, just 3 miles from the Needles Channel. Besides the numerous attractions and activities to be found in the town itself, Lymington also benefits from having the recently designated National Park status of the New Forest, with its wild ponies, wonderful walks and picturesque scenery, on its doorstep.
www.yachthavens.com/yachthaven

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

The most western harbour on the Isle of Wight, Yarmouth is not only a convenient passage stopover, but has become a very desirable destination in its own right with virtually all weather and tidal access. With the exception of the town quay, the way ashore is by dinghy or water taxi. Yarmouth is a delightful fishing, ferry and yachting port, widely regarded as one of the jewels of the south coast. There are many fine restaurants and amenities. One of its primary features is the castle, constructed in 1547 by order of Henry VIII. The Harbour is not recommended for comfort in strong northerlies or north-easterlies, but is otherwise snugly sheltered.
www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk/

Newtown River, Isle of Wight

The uninformed visitor to the magical Newtown River would never for a moment imagine the depth and length of its history. Said to date back to Roman times, the port of Newtown was sufficiently prosperous in 1001 to warrant sacking by the Vikings! Now overgrown tracks are all that remain of the busy streets, and nature, with her oak woods and salt marshes, remains unchallenged. The river is owned and administered by the National Trust. A favourite place for yachts and small water craft to put down anchor and spend the night.

Christchurch

Once an important commercial port and now silted up, Christchurch Harbour remains an interesting and surprisingly beautiful place to visit, if your draught permits. The town has many facilities and the environment of the harbour is surprisingly unspoilt. Here you will find a salt marsh, reefs, dunes and woodland, and the river winding up to the confluence of the Stour and the Avon at Christchurch Quay.
www.christchurch.co.uk/

Poole Harbour

The second largest natural harbour in the world and the largest in Europe, Poole Harbour is considered by many to be among the finest. It can be entered day or night and at all states of the tide. Much of the area is shoal, but there is still plenty of deep water for ships and yachts in great numbers. Its north side incorporates several modern marinas in close proximity to a multitude of shops and restaurants, while its south side boasts tranquil anchorages set within unspoilt nature reserves. On Poole Quay, with its excellent choice of bars and restaurants, there are several places of interest, including the well known Poole Pottery and Waterfront Museum in Old High Street.
www.pooletourism.com/

Hamble (SailTime Base)

The 'mecca' of yachting on the south coast, whose origins in maritime history go as far back as the 9 th Century when King Alfred's men sank as many as 20 Viking long ships at Bursledon! It was also here that Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Copenhagen 'Elephant' was built in the 18 th Century and a striving shipyard is there to this day bearing the same name. Today, particularly during the summer months, river life is a hive of activity and the village is bustling with sailors and visitors. The River Hamble is at the heart of the sheltered waters of the Solent and protected from the open sea by the Isle of Wight, and benefiting from a two hour stand at high water.
www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/marinas/port_hamble/

Pubs and Restaurants – A day sail away

The George Hotel, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

This is a very classy restaurant and hotel which has achieved three AA Rosettes and offers a full range of international cuisine. For sunnier days there is the garden, where lunches may be taken. The Brasserie provides lunch or dinner and overlooks the gardens, castle wall and sea. Tel No: 01983 760331
www.thegeorge.co.uk/

Yarmouth Sailing Club

The Yarmouth Sailing Club sits next to the swing bridge over the River Yar. It is a friendly and un-stuffy club with around 800 members and always extends a welcome to visiting yachtsmen.
www.yarmouthsailingclub.org.uk/

Salty's Restaurant, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

Salty's, the quayside family run seafood restaurant and bar, is the yachties' favourite. Upstairs you can enjoy their a la carte menu in a fun and lively atmosphere. Downstairs, the seafood bar is also lively, but relaxing. Both are renowned along the south coast as one of 'the' places to eat.

The Stanwell House Hotel, Lymington

Stanwell House is a privately owned three star Boutique Hotel in Lymington's High Street. The furnishings are very vibrant with velvets and silks adorning the windows. Burnished bare boards and York stone flags create a Bohemian style. The emphasis is on friendly, unobtrusive, yet efficient service. Using a lot of local produce, the much acclaimed restaurant has achieved one AA Rosette and a Star 2 Merit for Dining and Hospitality from the RAC.
www.stanwellhousehotel.co.uk/

The Bugle, Hamble village

This world-famous public house has re-opened after extensive refurbishment and has been restored to its former glory. The Bugle serves top quality food and drink, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and is re-establishing its place back in the heart of village life and Hamble’s unique sailing community.
www.buglehamble.co.uk

Gosport on foot

Gun Wharf Keys, Portsmouth

Landscaped in to a historic setting, Gunwharf Quays is where the old and the new come together. Once you've experienced shopping in the pedestrian avenues, relaxing in the wide open spaces, seen the spectacular views across Portsmouth Harbour, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, you will be drawn back to Gunwharf Quays again and again.
www.gunwharf-quays.com/

Explosion!

Interactive Museum set in the historic setting of Gosport's former gunpowder and munitions depot. Telling the story of naval warfare from the day’s gunpowder to modern missiles, the two hour tour of the museum includes a stunning multi media film show set in an original 18th century gunpowder vault. The Museum describes the role that Priddy's Hard played in naval operations.
www.explosion.org.uk/

Royal Naval Submarine Museum

Dive into the past and the future at The Royal Navy Submarine Museum on Haslar Jetty Road, where you can take a guided tour of WW2 submarine HMS Alliance, led by a submariner, or climb on board Holland I - the Navy’s first submarine from 1901. In the new John Fieldhouse Building there are new History Galleries and Interactive Zones and X24, the last surviving midget submarine from WW2.
www.rnsubmus.co.uk/

Historic Dockyard

Discover the world famous historic ships - HMS Victory, the Mary Rose & HMS Warrior 1860 that have shaped British history at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Home of the Royal Navy, other attractions include The Royal Naval Museum, with a new Exhibition " Dreadnoughts - The Ships & the Men who Built, Lived and Fought in them", and Action Stations with the brand new interactive gallery InterAction detailing the science and technology used by the modern Royal Navy.
www.flagship.org.uk/

Old Porstmouth Town

The old part of Portsmouth town is a fascinating area, steeped in history. There many interesting things to see and do. For more information visit
www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/things_to_do/50.htm

The Nelson Trail

This trail takes you through parts of the old town of Portsmouth, highlighting places and buildings of interest relating to Vice Admiral Lord Nelson and Portsmouth around the time of the Battle of Trafalgar. There are four interpretation panels along the way providing more information.

For a leaflet giving full details of the route please contact the link above.

The Renaissance Trail - Portsmouth's Millennium Promenade

Follow the Renaissance Trail along Portsmouth's Millennium Promenade. Starting at Spur Redoubt in Old Portsmouth, follow the chain effect paving through Old Portsmouth, into Gunwharf Quays and along to the Historic Dockyard. Interpretation panels along the way will give you an insight into the area's fascinating history. (Please note - in order to complete the trail you currently need to leave Gunwharf Quays once you have reached the Spinnaker Tower - walk towards the Historic Dockyard and you will pick up the trail again after the bus, coach and train station.)

Frequently Asked Questions