Visit Gosport, and you can find out what lurks beneath the waves at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.
Step into the secret world of the submariner on-board HMS Alliance – Britain’s only surviving Second World War era ocean-going submarine. Here you will discover what it was like to live and work on a genuine Royal Navy submarine.
You can learn all about the weapons used by the Royal Navy at Explosion! – Museum of Naval Firepower. This award-winning museum contains weapons used by the Navy throughout the centuries, which are housed in the impressive 18th century buildings of the Navy’s former armaments depot.
These two museums are part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and are linked by the Waterfront Trail, which is a walking trail that offers spectacular views across Portsmouth Harbour, but if you don’t wish to walk you could always take the waterbus.
The Museum of Diving was voted one of the top six family-friendly museums in the UK. Its fascinating exhibits cover all aspects of diving, from underwater sports and spear fishing to military, commercial and scientific research diving. There is plenty of curious diving equipment on display, including some used by James Bond!
You can find more James Bond equipment at the Hovercraft Museum. The Museum has the hovercraft that featured in the opening chase sequence from ‘Die Another Day’ starring Pierce Brosnan. The Museum houses a large range of hovercraft – military ones, sports ones and a huge cross channel one, plus ones that have featured in the Top Gear, Scrapheap Challenge and Salvage Squad TV programmes.
Moving away from the maritime theme, step back in time with a wander through the 1642 Living History Village. Meet and talk with the ‘villagers’ dressed in period costumes as they demonstrate the historic skills of the blacksmith, lace-makers and weavers.
You can find out more about Gosport’s diverse history at the Gosport Discovery Centre.
Whether you are already a keen sailor or want to learn – Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent are ideal for your sailing or watersports vacation.
Boat/yacht hire, sailing tuition, marinas – all with deep-water access, fishing trips, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, jet-skiing, kayak hire & paddleboard hire are all available so there are activities for all ages and abilities to enjoy.
With such great facilities, and easy access to the international sailing waters of The Solent, it’s not surprising that world-class sailing stars such as Alex Thomson and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Clipper Ventures base themselves here.
Gosport Ferry Ltd operates relaxing summer cruises around the Solent from June to September. These leisurely boat cruises are a great way to enjoy the sights of Portsmouth Harbour, Solent Forts, Cowes, Ryde, Beaulieu, Hamble, the Needles, Yarmouth and Southampton water.
To discover more about Gosport see www.discovergosport.co.uk
