Considering a move to Portsmouth? We have compiled a guide to the best schools, entertainment & more in Britain’s historical naval city.

Are you thinking of moving to Portsmouth? Choosing a neighbourhood can be a tough decision as there are so many contributing factors to take into consideration with your family’s varying needs. Need advice on where to visit for a fun day out? Or maybe you’re seeking information on schools in the area? Whatever you are looking for, house removals and self storage experts Britannia Reeves of Portsmouth are here to help, with the low down on all the things you need to know.

Find the best schools in Portsmouth…

All in all there are 59 schools in Portsmouth, offering any family a great amount of choice when it comes to selecting the best education for their children’s needs. No one wants to be forced into a quick decision when it comes to picking a school for their children and the city has a large amount of public, private, gender segregated or mixed primary and secondary schools. For those families whose teens are looking at further education, Portsmouth has a variety of options including Portsmouth College, Spinnaker College and the renowned University of Portsmouth.

Primary Schools :

• Corpus Christi Catholic School is a voluntary aided school that has around 316 pupils all in the age range of 5 – 11 years.
• Copnor Junior School is a community school that teaches around 420 pupils with an age range of 7-11 years.
• Arundel Court Junior School is another community school that holds around 223 pupils from ages 7-11.
• Newbridge Junior School also teaches pupils ages 7-11 years, with an average of 302 students.

Secondary Schools:

• Springfield School has a total of 1,103 pupils ranging in age from 11 – 16 years.
• Redwood Park School is a community school that has around 136 pupils at the age range of 11-16 years.
• St Edmunds Catholic School is a voluntary aided school that has around 880 pupils from 11-16 years of age.
• City of Portsmouth Boys School is a Foundation school that houses 481 pupils all ranging in age from 11-16 years.

Dive into the local community by joining your local leisure centre…

Whether you’re a gym fanatic and have to go at least three times a week, or you are looking for a place to take the kids for swimming lessons, Mountbatten Leisure Centre is the perfect venue. This fantastic leisure centre really is the hive of the local community and offers a vast array of facilities including:

• A 50m olympic swimming pool
• A shallow pool where younger children can learn to swim
• A huge 150 station gym so you will never have to wait around for a go on the treadmill
• A dance studio that holds regular lessons
• A sports hall
• Martial arts studio
• Squash courts
• A health suite
• An athletics track which becomes a vibrant place to work out during summer
• A cafe so that you’re never left thirsty or hungry whilst waiting for the children to finish their classes

If you are planning on moving to Portsmouth, there really is no better way to meet people in the community and have fun than taking part in one of their many group, sport, dance, aqua, junior or over 50’s classes. The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is open Monday – Friday (06:30am – 10:00pm) and weekends at the slightly later time of 07:00am – 10:00pm.

A day out in Portsmouth…

The ultimate underwater experience at Blue Reef Aquarium

Get up close and experience the magical wonders of the ocean at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium. It includes an underwater tunnel where you will see sharks and hundreds of other beautiful tropical fish swimming alongside you. The aquarium is home to many other species of fish, such as stingrays and seahorses and they even have a family of otters! With over forty tropical and regional displays, it really does make for an educational yet fun day out for the family and you wont miss out as they are open year round from 10am-6pm (excluding Christmas day as even the aquatic world celebrates that event!) A day out at the aquarium won’t weigh heavily on your wallet either, as prices start from as little as £7.50 with special deals available for families, groups, seniors and students.

Watch the latest releases at The Vue Cinema…

What’s better on a rainy day than seeing the latest blockbuster, whilst munching on popcorn and sitting back on a comfy cinema chair with loads of legroom? The VUE in Portsmouth is a cinema loved by local community, where they even run a kids club at the weekend to keep the little ones happy! If you’re somewhat of an early bird or are stuck for what to do during the day, the cinema also shows movies in the morning. Convenient parking is available nearby at Gunwharf Quays where you can easily walk across to The Vue and see one of their many films.

Take a trip back in time aboard the HMS Victory…

A day out aboard the HMS Victory promises to be an experience you wont forget. Find out what it was like for the crew aboard the famous ship best known for her role in The Battle of Trafalgar. This beautifully crafted ship has been renovated to the highest standards and is available to visit at the historic dockyard everyday throughout the year (except for Christmas) from 10 a.m. onwards. Staff will show you around the decks where all the drama occurred. Their historical commentary will transport you back to a time when the decks were crammed with sailors, manning the canons in the heat of battle. Ticket prices start from £27, however if you’re well prepared and book online you can buy them at a reduced rate.

Visit one of Portsmouth’s many alluring green spaces, Staunton Park…

With all you need for a family day out in the great outdoors, Staunton Park is a real favourite amongst Portsmouth locals. This is clear to see with a large amount of 5 star reviews on Tripadvisor. This park is a great place to take the kids and features many play areas as well as a petting zoo, which is sure to be a hit with the kids! Get lost in the park’s mind boggling maze and then sip on a cappuccino and sample a tasty snack in the cafe – there really is something for everyone. There is easy parking available and the park is reasonably priced, so you’re not looking to spend a small fortune just for a day out. If you’re looking to save even more, then you could choose to visit the country park just across the road, which makes for a splendid spot for a picnic next to a picturesque pond, complete with ducks who just love to be fed!

Southsea Rose Garden

Southsea Rose Garden offers a peaceful day out for anyone that loves to be surrounded by beautiful flower beds in full bloom. The best time to visit is usually around May or June, when the flowers are at their most stunning. These well tended gardens are a small oasis of tranquility and offer a quiet spot away from the hussle and bussle of the city. The best part? The gardens are completely free so there’s really no reason to not pay them a visit!

The new up and coming location to reside in in Portsmouth – Southsea…

Southsea is fast becoming a desirable location to live in, due to its great range of facilities, seaside location and reasonable house pricing. The town is within a mile of Portsmouth’s busy city centre where you can find all the amenities you desire and so much more, however without travelling to the nearest city you are still surrounded by many popular high street chains. Southsea also boasts a vibrant social scene with several bars, restaurants and cafes suited to all tastes, no matter what your budget. Southsea Common makes for a perfect place to walk the dog, play ball games with friends or any other recreational activities and the beach offers a wonderful place where visitors can play for hours in the amusement arcades or sip on cocktails at one of the bars located on the town’s two piers. In Southsea, the average asking price for a house is around £241,801 and rent stands at about £1,074 per calendar month, making it very affordable.

Portsmouths Hidden Treasure – The Eastney Tavern…

The Eastney tavern is renowned for being the best traditional pub in Portsmouth where you can purchase a refreshing pint and an array of excellent quality homemade food! This pub really is a gem of a local, that projects a family friendly atmosphere all year round. When eating out at the Eastney Tavern, you can expect reasonably priced, delicious food in big portions, making it great value for money. The Eastney is a perfect location for socialising with friends, watching the footie or having a quiet meal with your family.

If you’re considering moving to Portsmouth, but aren’t yet totally convinced, hopefully this guide will persuade you to follow your heart . Britannia Reeves are happy to help you with all your storage and removals requirements, so why not contact us today for a quick, free quote?