Top attractions in Portsmouth for Trafalgar anniversary weekend

10/10/2005

An exciting family friendly event is to take place on 21 October as part of the Trafalgar anniversary weekend in Portsmouth.

Governors Green in Old Portsmouth is the venue for a free family event on the evening of 21 October from 6-7.15pm, which will culminate with a beacon lighting and fireworks display. A big screen will show images from the International Fleet Review, Son et Lumiere and International Festival of the Sea as well as linking live to events taking place in the Historic Dockyard.

3000 tickets are available for this event from Friday 7 October from the Visitor Information Centres, Talking Point in the Central Library or Paulsgrove Community Centre on a first come first served basis. Alternatively, call the Visitor Information Centre on 023 9282 6722.

To ensure the safety of the public, part of Pembroke Road will be closed from the junction with Penny Street to the junction with Pembroke Close from 17.00hrs to 20.00hrs on October 21. Parking and access will also be restricted in this area between these times. It is anticipated that parking in Old Portsmouth will become full, so to prevent traffic build up, once there is no parking available a temporary road closure will be put in place in the High Street at the junction with Pembroke Road. Residents will still be able to access the area.

Members of the public attending the event will able to park for free on Southsea Common. Portsmouth is also offering a number of Nelson and Trafalgar related activities over the weekend of 22-23 October.

Walk in the footsteps of Nelson with the new Nelson trail. Retrace the last steps of Admiral Lord Nelson on British soil, find out about the places that he visited and see the monument to the nations greatest naval hero as he looks out to see. Pick up a leaflet that will guide you through the walk from the Visitor Information Centres, available from 21 October.

Visit Portsmouths Historic Dockyard including HMS Victory, Mary Rose, Royal Naval Museum, Action Stations and HMS Warrior 1860 over the weekend of 22-23 October as the site plays host to a weekend long Trafalgar celebration. Featuring circus performers, traditional fairground entertainment, live music and street entertainment, half price family tickets are available for entry to all the attractions and the entertainment at £22.50. The site will be open from 10.00am to 5.30pm. For further information please visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk or telephone advanced sales on 023 9283 9766.

Ever wondered what Portsmouth was like when Nelson made his final walk on British shores before departing for the Battle of Trafalgar? Visit the City Museum and Records Office who have developed a new exhibition called Portsmouth at the time of Nelson that is open to the public until 30 October 2005. Find out more about the 60 local men who took part in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, what their life was like when they werent on board ship and what it was like for their families. For more information about this exhibition, please contact the City Museum and Records Office on 023 9282 7261 or visit www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk

Admission to the City Museum and Records Office is free.

For more information about Portsmouth events or connections with Nelson, please visit www.visitportsmouth.co.uk