Begin your experience with a serving of traditional Portsmouth Tea, a bold blend of Assam teas from India and Zimbabwe, originally crafted to stand up to the city’s famously hard, chalky water. As you settle in, you’ll be introduced to the storey behind this local staple and how it became part of Portsmouth’s everyday life.
From there, step into the streets of one of Britain’s most distinctive island cities, where community has long been built around its pubs. While pub culture across the country may be fading, Portsmouth continues to stand apart, widely recognised for its vibrant and enduring pub scene, with more pubs per square mile than anywhere outside London.
Led by a local historian and joined by a costumed sailor who brings the city’s maritime past vividly to life, you’ll follow a relaxed circular route through the heart of Portsmouth. Along the way, stories, myths and moments of interaction reveal the character of a city shaped by the sea and its people.
You’ll visit five distinctive pubs, each with its own architectural quirks and stories behind them, from long-standing pillars of our community to seeing previous pubs that have quietly transitioned into residential homes. These former pubs still carry the imprint of their past, offering a glimpse into a time when they stood at the centre of daily life.
At each stop, enjoy a third of a pint, selected by the pub’s landlord or landlady, where possible, showcasing local breweries and styles that reflect the area’s tastes and naval traditions.
This experience has been created by a husband and wife team with a genuine obsession for Portsmouth, its food, and its beer. With a social media following across multiple platforms of over 20,000, our posts support local independent venues across the city, their focus has always been on celebrating what makes Portsmouth special.
At its heart, this tour is about more than just food and drink. It’s about championing local high streets, supporting independent businesses, and playing a small part in keeping Portsmouth’s pub culture alive.
