The View National Express Winter 2017 - 71

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HAYLING ISLAND HOLDS
A EUROPEAN BLUE
FLAG AWARD FOR ITS
EXCELLENT BEACHES

5

WALL TO WALL
HISTORY
The city's heritage dates back
to Roman times. On rainy
days, I take Teddy to explore
Portsmouth's museums (the
Natural History Museum and
Charles Dickens' Birthplace
Museum are our favourites)
and when it's dry, I adore
looking around the forts and
castles. Southsea Castle
stands proud at the entrance
to the harbour. While, the
cobbled streets of Old
Portsmouth are a glimpse
of where the city started.
SOUTHSEA
CASTLE

6

EVERYONE LIKES
WAT E R S P O RT S
As someone who grew up
in a landlocked city, I'm
fascinated by Portsmouth's
love for daring watersports.
Look in most residential
garages and you'll find
a kayak or two. I've seen
everything from a man
and his dog to a group of
flyboarders paddleboarding.

ENJOY A FLAT WHITE
AT AMY'S FAVOURITE
CAFE - HOME COFFEE

7

THERE'S AN
A P P R EC I AT I O N
FOR GOOD COFFEE
Life with a toddler means my
mid-morning cappuccino is
vital for energy (and sanity!).
Luckily Pompey locals are
discerning coffee lovers and
the city has a clutch of cafés
with signature blends of
roasted beans.
Top of my list is Home
Coffee; there's one in
Southsea, and one in Cosham
in the north. Both have a
welcoming, trendy vibe and I
love the little extras such as
the plant-filled courtyard, dog
friendly status and Aussieinspired Anzac biscuits.

8

THE COOL
C U LT U R E
OF SOUTHSEA
Portsmouth's seaside
suburb Southsea has the
classic British pebbly
beach, quirky shops and
independent eateries. But it
also has cultural references
(plaques dotted around
the colourful streets mark
former residents, including
Rudyard Kipling and Arthur
Conan Doyle) and a calendar
of street festivals and
community events.
My perfect Saturday in
Southsea starts with a slab
of cake at the famous Tenth
Hole café, a play at the park
on Southsea Common,
browsing Albert Road's
eclectic boutiques and
finishing up at the Southsea
Beach Café for fish and
chips with a view.

9

THE CITY
LOVES A
GOOD GIG
The Wedgewood Rooms
in Southsea is an intimate
place to see bands and
Portsmouth Guildhall is
a lovely big theatre space;
Jools Holland plays there
on his UK tours. In summer,
Victorious Festival on
Southsea Common always
has a stellar line-up (and a
kids' stage for my daughter).

THE
WEDGEWOOD
ROOMS

1O

A SEASIDE
FEEL ALL
YEAR ROUND
It might be a big bustling city
but Portsmouth's never lost
its seaside charm - which is
part of the attraction. From
the pastel coloured beach
huts on Hayling Island and
the smell of fish and chips
on every corner, to the retro
fun fair on Clarence Pier
and Southsea's colourful
international kite festival
held every August.
Whatever the weather, it's
always acceptable to eat an
ice cream on the beach in
Portsmouth - and walk on
the sand, even in wellies
on a damp day - and after
three years here, I'm proud
to call 'Pompey' my home.

For regular services to Portsmouth from across
the UK, visit nationalexpress.com

71
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The View National Express Winter 2017
