Get To Know Portsmouth

Whether you’re a current student at the University of Portsmouth, or you’re gearing up for a new adventure in the city, there’s plenty of new things to discover. From the historic naval heritage to the city’s best attractions, we’ve got you covered!

History

Portsmouth was founded by Jean de Gisors circa 1180, when a settlement was established as one end of a trade route between England and France. This settlement was then further developed by Richard I in 1194, with the area becoming a focal point for historical events including the Battle of Trafalgar, the D-Day Landings, and the birthplace of important ships including Henry VIII’s favourite ship, the Mary Rose.

Henry VII elevated the city’s importance through the building of the Square Tower and the dockyard. Whilst Henry VIII designed Southsea Castle and transformed the country’s naval force from a few ships to a powerful fleet.

Portsmouth was heavily bombed during WW2 given its naval importance, with over 3000 people killed or injured during the blitz in the city. Despite the tragedy, Portsmouth played an important role in helping to end the war soon after.

Did you know? Portsmouth appears on 'The Gough Map', one of the earliest maps to show Britain in a geographically-recognisable form. Some believe the map dates back to around 1360, with Portsmouth labelled as 'Portis Mouth'.

Music

The Portsmouth music scene is growing each year, with the city quickly becoming a hotspot for great music by the sea! There are huge festivals organised each year, with people travelling from all over the country to visit.

As well as festivals, the city offers plenty of opportunities to see well-known musicians in concert, as well as entertaining live music in pubs and bars.

You can check out the festivals, concerts, and free, live music across the city here.

Did you know? The University of Portsmouth (previously Portsmouth Polytechnic) has hosted acts through the years including Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and The Smiths.

Sport

An important part of the city’s culture is the local professional club, Portsmouth FC. Founded in 1898, the club has enjoyed success in the top divisions of English football, winning the FA Cup as recently as 2008. Amidst financial difficulties, the club has dropped down to the third division, but the following stays strong, with Pompey boasting some of the highest attendance figures in the league. The University of Portsmouth is also now the main sponsor of Portsmouth FC, helping to offer more opportunities to students and raising awareness of higher education in the city.

Away from football, the city offers various opportunities to play different sports including swimming, tennis, cricket, hockey, and netball.

Ravelin Sports Centre, one of the UK’s most sustainable sports centres, will be opening on the 3rd September 2022 to university students, providing you with the opportunity to experience a 175 station gym, 25m swimming pool, 8 court sports hall, climbing wall, and ski simulator. What’s not to love? Find out more information about the hotly-anticipated opening here.

Did you know: Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, played as a goalkeeper for Portsmouth AFC, the amateur football club in the city that soon inspired the creation of Portsmouth FC as it is today.

Attractions

Before you start studying in Portsmouth, why not check out what attractions the city has to offer? This could include the Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, or the various museums which showcase some of the history mentioned earlier.

Portsmouth Guildhall is one of the most popular spots in the city to see music, comedy, and dance performances from various acts, and is just a stone’s throw away from Guildhall Walk where you’ll find some of the city’s best nightclubs including The Astoria and Mr. Miyagis.

The Astoria is also where you’ll find Purple Wednesday, a dedicated student night organised by UPSU and Eskimo 11. Friends, housemates, and societies join in each week, making up some of the best student events each year! With Freshers’ also coming up soon, make sure to buy your tickets for the welcome parties, whether you’re a new or returning student.

If you’d prefer to relax with some friends, grab a Dominos with our student offers and head down to the Common, Southsea Beach, or any of the beautiful parks and gardens that are dotted around the city.

Get to know us!

Now that you know about Portsmouth, why not check out our ‘What is a Students’ Union?’ article and learn all about how we can help make your university experience the best it can be.

Follow us on Instagram or Twitter at @portsmouthsu and keep up with all that’s going on before the start of the new academic year!