Itinerary idea: explore Portsmouth, the UK’s only island city

With miles of coastline and centuries of history to explore (as well as some modern icons), Portsmouth is an ideal location for groups of all sizes and interests. What’s more, it being the UK’s only island city makes Portsmouth even more unique and memorable for your group.

Only have one day to spend in the city? Here’s what you could squeeze in.

9.00am: Kick off the day with the fresh sea air along Southsea Seafront. Take in the new ‘Theatre of the Sea’ near Southsea Castle - which offers stunning views out across the Solent - or enjoy a walk in Old Portsmouth’s Hotwalls area, where historic fortifications now make for awe-inspiring vantage points.

10.00am: Visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It would be easy to spend an entire day journeying through 500 years of naval heritage at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, but in three hours you could certainly see all the big attractions. Among them are Nelson’s HMS Victory - the world’s oldest commissioned warship still in service, and HMS Warrior - once the fastest and best-defended ship on the planet.

Entry also gets you into the world-class Mary Rose Museum, where you can see the hull of Henry VIII’s flagship, rescued after more than four centuries on the seabed. Alongside the ship is a huge cache of Tudor artefacts, which give an unprecedented look into the lives of those who served on board.

1.00pm: Enjoy a spot of lunch and bag a bargain at Gunwharf Quays, which will be a welcome stop after working up an appetite - happily it’s located just a few hundred metres from the dockyard gates. Here you’ll find more than 30 bars, restaurants and coffee shops, each offering cuisine from across the world.

After a rest and a recharge there’s an opportunity to sample the 90+ designer outlet stores that offer up to 60% off RRP. From high fashion to trendy homewares and cutting-edge sports gear, there’s something for everyone.

3.00pm: Take in a different view at Spinnaker Tower whic is a popular attraction located within the Gunwharf Quays complex and an emblem of modern Portsmouth. It’s a great way for groups of all sizes to take in stunning views of city, coast and country.

The tower’s view decks over 100 metres above sea level provide breathtaking 23-mile vistas that stretch out across the Portsmouth cityscape, the Solent, the Isle of Wight, the South Downs and beyond. There’s also the chance to have a very high tea at The Clouds, or drink in the view by night at Sky Bar - experiences that are sure to live long in the memory.

4.30pm: The D-Day Story, located on Southsea Seafront is a museum tells the story of the Normandy Landings, combining personal testimonies with artefacts of the time to put visitors in the shoes of those who took part.

Included within entry is a visit to LCT 7074, the preserved Tank Landing Craft that crossed the Channel during D-Day. It provides a fascinating history that visitors get to actually see from on-board.

5.30pm: Leave The D-Day Story and you’ll have a wealth of food options right on your doorstep in Southsea. Groups will have the choice of many great independent options offering something different to the high street regulars. From traditional fish and chips to excellent grill restaurants and no shortage of award-winning curry houses, you certainly won’t be starved of options.

7.00pm: After food (potentially washed down with a local beer brewed on the island, or a gin or rum distilled at Fort Cumberland), there are plenty of options for evening entertainment.

There are not one but two Frank Matcham theatres in Portsmouth - Southsea’s Kings Theatre and the New Theatre Royal in the city centre. There’s also the Guildhall, which welcomes huge names to its main arena as well as up-and-coming stars to the Lens Studio.

As well as being fantastic options for your group, the above ideas are all just a short walk from one another, covering little more than 2.5 miles from start to finish.

Its island status means Portsmouth is a relatively compact city, and its flat profile makes getting around a doddle. Of course, there are also taxi, minibus and cycling options to make it easier still, should they be required.