Shopping in Portsmouth
Portsmouth does not have a vast array of shops or indeed shopping centres. However, it is the largest and nearest city to the densely populated towns of Gosport, Fareham, Havant and the population of the Isle of Wight.

The Geography of Portsmouth
Portsmouth is located on the Solent, which leads into the English Channel after going around the Isle of Wight. Being a coastal city the land rarely rises above 3m, although to the north of the city is Portsdown Hill, an area of harder chalk.

A brief history of Portsmouth
The history of Portsmouth pre-dates the emergence of the city as a harbour of strategic importance to the defence of the country. Whilst much is written of the city from the time of the Plantagenets, the name Portsmouth first appears in 286AD.