Southsea guidebook

The Navy has been dropping anchor here since Tudor times, but the tower, whose sinuous, billowing shape is modelled on a sail, made its appearance only last year as the majestic centrepiece of the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour project.

Emerging from the Harbour train station you'll see the graceful and gleaming Spinnaker on one side and the imposing lines of the HMS Warrior on the other - the largest, fastest, most powerful warship afloat when it was built back in 1860.

This dichotomy between old and new, traditional and trend-setting, naval and civilian, sums up the recent transformations in Portsmouth, which, like many of Britain's industrial and military centres, is now reorganising its economy around leisure, tourism, high-tech industries and education.

Two-thirds of its surface fleet - almost 50 ships - is based here, as well as its aircraft carriers - HM ships Ark Royal, Invincible and Illustrious - and the Portsmouth Naval Base employs 17,000 people, with a further 26,000 holding defence positions in the region.

And, after an absence of over 100 years, shipbuilding has returned to the city: in 2003, VT Shipbuilders moved into a £50 million state-of-the-art facility, where they have ongoing contracts to build sections of ships on order from the Royal Navy, including six Daring-class destroyers and two vast aircraft carriers.

They're also currently putting the final touches to HMS Clyde, which, when completed, will be the first ship to have been built entirely in the city for 40 years; it's due to be officially launched from the dockyards later this year.

Portsmouth is also a thriving gateway city, and its council-owned commercial port carries more passenger and freight traffic to the continent than any other port in the UK, with routes including Spain, France and the Channel Islands.

The Spinnaker Tower has also been a tourist magnet, clocking up an impressive 100,000 visits in its inaugural two months, while the buzzing retail and entertainment complex Gunwharf Quays, opened in 2001, continues to be a popular tourist destination.

Slightly to the east, Southsea is another favourite spot with its sandy beach, two piers and activity-packed Common, as well as a great choice of bars to keep the tourists - and the locals - entertained.

As for cutting-edge industry, several well-known companies, including IBM UK, Pall Europe, Alenia Marconi Systems and Zurich Insurance Services, have substantial bases in the city.

And the University of Portsmouth currently has a roll-call of almost 20,000 students, providing yet another source of income for the city.

Redevelopment of the former Tricorn centre and surrounding area to create a new Northern Quarter. Although not confirmed as yet, the latest proposals involve:

- A John Lewis flagship store with a second, as yet unnamed, anchor store.

- Up to 200 apartments including key-worker and affordable homes.

- Around 80 shops, cafes and restaurants.

- Open spaces and an "open streets" approach.

- A four star 150 bed hotel.

- A car park with around 2,300 spaces.

If planning permission is granted by the council later this year, the new Northern Quarter is expected to open in 2009, creating thousands of jobs during construction, and later in the centre itself.

- Redevelopment of Fratton Park Football Stadium, home to Portsmouth FC, the only Premiership club on the South Coast.

- A new 50 metres swimming pool and sports complex at the Mountbatten Centre.

Yes, many of the brand new waterfront houses and apartments have a premium but the older, traditional housing stock is still pretty affordable when compared to other places in the South.

A three bedroom terraced house, for example, can be snapped up for less than £150,000 in some districts, while a purpose-built two bed flat could be a perfect first-time purchase costing around £115,000 - slightly more feasible than the two bed apartments at Gunwharf Quays which are likely to come in at around a quarter of a million pounds.

Why the discrepancy? Well, while the waterfront basks in the glow of its recent makeover, there are still parts of the city which are run-down and even deprived - Charles Dickens ward is one of the most derpived in the coutry.

But with regeneration work encouraging further business and tourism into the city, this imbalance should eventually right itself by allowing the council to allocate funds to the areas which need it most; and when that happens, Portsmouth's house prices could be set for a transformation of their own.

Trains: Good connections to various cities including London, Brighton, Southampton and Bristol. Several train stations including Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth & Southsea, Fratton and Hilsea.

Ferry: connections from Portsmouth Harbour to France, Spain and the Channel Islands, and to Gosport and the Isle of Wight.

Air: Southampton Airport is 22 miles away with connections to the UK and Channel Islands, France and Holland. Gatwick and Heathrow airports are also accessible.

Whether it's cultural stuff you're after or the less mentally taxing pleasures of eating and drinking, it's unlikely that you'll be at a loss for ways to pass your time.

Theatre, cinema, clubbing, sports, shopping, waterfront walks, the fun fair at the pier, exploring the historic dockyards, supporting home footie team Pompey, and outdoor cocktails at the foot of the Spinnaker if you can't face going up it - altogether, there's a great range of activities on offer.

Gunwharf Quays - over 80 shops including Gap, Marks and Spencer Outlet, Hobbs, HMV, Virgin, Paul Smith, Boots and Next Clearance; great selection of bars and restaurants; Vue cinema, Jongleurs Comedy Club, The Edge Health Club, Tiger Tiger Entertainment Complex (food, drink and dancing), and a casino.

Cascades Mall & Commercial Road, City Centre - lots of big name shops like Marks & Spencer, Next, River Island, Tesco, Virgin, HMV, Game and WH Smith; and a street market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Southsea - Palmerston Road has a great mix of well-established names like Woolworths, WH Smith, New Look and Waitrose, and independent shops alongside a good mix of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Then there's Albert Road which has a random mix of individual shops including comic stores, internet cafes, sci-fi shops and music stores, in among a host of convenience stores, pubs and takeaways - this is particularly popular with students.

Good range of food options: traditional, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Mexican, Spanish and French are all readily available.

Nightlife - Much of Portsmouth's buzzing nightlife is centred round South Parade Pier, Guildhall Walk and Gunwharf Quays; there's a good choice of pubs, bars and nightclubs in and around these areas.

Cinema - Odeon cinema (London Road, North End), Vue cinema (Gunwharf Quays), UCI (Port Solent), the Carlton (Cosham) and No 6 Independent Cinema for arthouse films (Historic Dockyards).

Theatre - Two main theatres, the New Theatre Royal and the Kings Theatre, both of which host professional and amateur performances.

The Third Floor Arts Centre holds regular amateur performances and has a pleasant café for daytime refreshments.

The Wedgewood Rooms - a well-established live music and comedy venue which features all sorts of live performances from local to international artists, as well as regular club nights.

The Guildhall - Originally the Town Hall until Portsmouth was designated a city in 1926. The original building dated from the early 1880s but had to be reconstructed following extensive damage during the Second World War.

Today's building houses the city council and the Lord Mayor's departments but also hosts rock bands, exhibitions and shows, and the venue can be hired out for conferences and weddings.

Jongleurs Comedy Club - the famous comedy club has a Portsmouth venue located on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays.

Artists Harbour Gallery at Historic Dockyards shows regular exhibitions by both local and international artists.

The Abraham Gallery in Southsea features a large collection of prints and old theatre posters.

The Aspex Gallery, which features work by local and international artists, is moving to a new venue in Gunwharf Quays and is expected to reopen in Winter 2006 - but they will be hosting temporary exhibitions in various venues throughout this year.

Mountbatten Centre - the main leisure centre. Has 8 lane 400 metre athletics tracks, 535 metre cycle velodrome, all-weather pitch, gym, indoors and outdoor courts, sauna, steamroom and sunbeds.

Portsmouth Outdoor Centre - situated on the north-western shore of Langstone harbour. Training courses in dinghy sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and power-boating.

Hilsea Lido - an eight-acre site in the north-west corner of Portsea Island with outdoor swimming pool, paddling pool and children's play area.

Pyramids - pool, wave machines, fountains and flumes (also a live music venue and nightclub). Situated in Southsea.

Golf Courses - two full-size courses, Portsmouth and Great Salterns, both open to visitors.

Parks & Open Spaces - Plenty of parkland in Portsmouth including Portsdown Hill of which 30 hectares is a dedicated Site of Scientific Interest; Baffins Park with a pond; King George V playing fields with eight football pitches; and the large Alexandra Park with excellent sporting facilities.

South Parade and Clarence Piers offer traditional seaside fun including fun fairs and amusements.

Southsea has a sandy beach while Southsea Common has plenty of fun-fuelled activities including a canoe lake, miniature golf, a playing field and The Blue Reef Aquarium.

Historic Dockyard - home to HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose Ship Hall and Museum.

There's also the Porter's Garden, a garden recreated to resemble the 250-year-old original, located on the same site; Harbour Tour boat trips; Action Stations - "an interactive showcase of the modern Navy"; and the Royal Naval Museum.

Spinnaker Tower - The newest and arguably most impressive addition to Portsmouth's waterfront, this 170 metres high structure is the tallest accessible public building outside London.

Three viewing platforms enable you to choose your own comfort zone - the highest is at 110 metres and is open to the elements.

Spinnaker is part of the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour Project which is costing a mammoth £88 million and is supported by the Millennium Commission with the aim of attracting both tourists and development into the region.

What's there? - Residentially, mainly terraces and flats, although property developers are starting to show an interest, too, for example Crest Nicholson's new Admiralty Quarter just off Queen Street, which features luxury apartments ranging from studios to three beds.

This is also the area closest to the historic dockyards, the HM Naval Base and Portsmouth Harbour with its cross channel ferries.

Buyers? - young professionals and couples looking to be at the heart of things.

Pros? - very central location for shops, entertainment and a spot of channel-hopping.

Cons? - can be a bit of a tourist trap.

What's there? - lots of trendy apartments and penthouses with spectacular views over the River Solent and across to the Isle of Wight. Some of the apartments have 180 degree ceiling-to-floor windows, as well as state of the art fixtures and fittings.

More upmarket apartments are planned in this popular location, such as The Blue Building by Berkeley Homes, due to open in September this year.

Gunwharf Quays has a great range of shops including several clearance and discount outlets for big names like Next, Elle and Marks & Spencer, and some hip and trendy stores such as Animal and Oakley.

There's a variety of bars and restaurants with outside seating areas including one right by the entrance to the Spinnaker Tower, affording a great view of faces draining to a sickly pallor as people approach the front of the queue.

Buyers? - trendy and well-paid professionals who'd rather have an up-market, ultra-modern apartment than a converted period flat or traditional semi.

Pros? - fabulous views, vibrant atmosphere, proximity to transport facilities, and staggering distance home after a night on the tiles.

Cons? - compared to elsewhere in the city, these apartments don't come cheap. And if you're the sort who enjoys an early night even on the weekends, living here may get in the way of your beauty sleep.

What's there? - beautiful old four and five storey townhouses and terraces which are generally elegant and well-maintained, some of which have been converted into flats. Also modern apartments and townhouses which blend in well with the period properties.

Also in this area is The Inner Camber, once an ancient port and a shipyard for most of the 20th century. Nowadays there are some lovely 90s-built townhouses, masionettes and flats by the water's edge, with privately owned boats moored in the inner marina.

Old Portsmouth is the site of Portsmouth Cathedral and the Royal Garrison church, and you'll find a few oldey-worldey pubs situated in the attractive High Street.

The promenade has an upper and lower path for scenic walks, and there are seats and grassy areas along the way for when you'd rather just sit and admire the scenery.

Buyers? - Portsmouth's wealthier inhabitants who want to be close to the heart of things without being right in the middle of it.

Pros? - very beautiful and peaceful little enclave with good access to the dockyards, transport and attractions of both the city centre and the waterfront.

Cons? - although not as crowded as the main attractions like the historic dockyards and Spinnaker Tower, there may still be some milling tourists wandering past your front door, especially in the summer months.

Excluding Highland Road cemetery, Southsea's eastern border is Winter Road down to Festing Grove, and then south of Festing Grove to St George's Road.

Housing? - it's a large residential district, so it has a bit of everything housing-wise, from the very good to the downright bad.

The good parts are the many grand Victorian terraces and townhouses, a large number of which have been converted into flats and guesthouses.

There are also some substantial semi and detached houses dotted around the roads by the front, such as Craneswater Park, Burbridge Grove and Burgoyne Road, and the seaside terraces and those nearby are particularly sought-after and generally very pretty.

Southsea has a high proportion of terraced homes throughout, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Flats are also plentiful, whether they're in the form of conversions or purpose-built, and these are popular with both renters and buyers.

Modern builds are designed to blend in well with period homes, such as the executive townhouses which have recently been completed close in Queen's Crescent.

And the bad? In a word, Somerstown. This is a sprawling council estate to the north of Southsea which has a lot of high-rise tower blocks and seems a world apart from the elegance of the district's finer properties.

Some of the high-rise flats and terraces which make up the majority of Somerstown's housing stock are now owner-occupied but there's still a lot of council tenants, and this is considered one of the more deprived parts of the city.

There's a pleasant sandy beach, a busy marina, and loads on offer along the seafront including putting, a canoe lake, the Blue Reef Aquarium, a model village and The Pyramids Leisure Centre with flumes and a wave machine.

Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier have good old-fashioned fun and games, while Southsea Castle allows exploration of a more highbrow nature. And look out for the blue plaque commemorating the birthplace of Peter Sellers above a Chinese restaurant on the corner of Castle Road.

Buyers? - young professionals, buy-to-let investors, and wealthy parents with kids at Portsmouth University: Southsea's continued popularity with students means there's a strong rental market.

For those on a restricted budget, Somerstown is a viable way of getting onto the property ladder, but be aware that there's a reason prices are so low.

Pros? - overall, Southsea is an attractive, buzzing and vibrant district with a definite identity of its own and plenty of facilities.

Cons? - you'll need to be tolerant of students and tourists, and there's a vast divide in housing standards between the best and worst properties.

What's there? - Lots of terraced housing, from the fairly large homes in Prince Albert Road to the smaller, neat little cottages in roads such as Languard and Wainscott.

Some semis and detached properties around, too, and a few new developments like the modern apartments in Vanguard Court at Centurion Gate, over to the east.

For the brave or foolhardy, Eastney has a (well-signposted, apparently) naturist beach, as well as a community centre; swimming pool; The Royal Marines' Museum; a sports ground with pavilion; and Bransbury Park, a large outdoors space with children's play area, flower gardens, tennis courts, sports pitches and a miniature railway.

You'll also find some local shops, several takeways, and a fair choice of pubs including The Cellars At Eastney which hosts music and comedy acts from novice to professional standard.

Buyers? - couples, families with grown-up kids, singletons.

Pros? - Close enough to enjoy all of Southsea and Portsmouth's attractions but a quieter, more peaceful place to live.

Cons? - The nearest schools are in Southsea and Milton, so possibly not ideal for families with young children.

Modern developments such as The Haven and Priory Crescent offer family-friendly three bed semis and townhouses respectively, while young professionals can find a choice of apartment complexes like Dickens House in Gisors Road and Washington Court in Warren Avenue.

Milton has some local shops (on Milton Road) which provide for most everyday needs; a choice of pubs and takeaways; a library; a cricket ground; several schools; and Milton Park with a children's play ground, bowling greens, tennis netball and football courts (off Priory Crescent).

Milton Cemetery and chapel are situated to the north of Velder Avenue, with the East Wing of St Mary's Hospital close by. Portsmouth University has a campus in Milton, and St James's Hospital is also in the vicinity.

Langstone, over to the east, also has a Portsmouth University campus and Hall of Residence, but is probably better known for its scenic harbour.

Buyers? - would appeal to both families and first-time buyers. Also popular with buy-to-let investors who could rent to students and hospital staff.

Pros? - fairly good local facilities, easy access to open spaces, and relatively affordable house prices.

Cons? - quite far out from the main shopping and entertainment areas, and the housing is dense in parts.

What's there? - mainly 30s housing geared towards the family market, so consists mostly of terraces and semis. Popular Admiral Lord Nelson school is just off Dundas Lane, and Tangiers Road has some shops for everyday needs.

Baffins Pond and Parkland is an extensive open space with a children's play area and pond with wildfowl and there's another sports ground just off Moneyfield Road which has tennis courts and bowling greens.

Great Salterns Golf Course and Recreation Grounds are located in the east of the district, in an area known as Moneyfields.

Buyers? - mainly families.

Pros? - pleasant suburban area with good outdoor facilities.

Cons? - primarily a residential enclave so not much in the way of entertainment.

What's there? - Primarily terraces from different periods including Victorian and purpose built flats.

Fratton Road is lined with shops, including an Asda, but most are towards the lower end of the spectrum such as low price stores, bookies and pawnbrokers, as well as several takeaways and pubs. Incongruously, there's a plush bridal shop between the corner of Fratton Road and the railway station.

On the opposite side of the railway tracks is an industrial park, a commercial centre with a huge B&Q and a Fitness First complex, and the West Wing of St Mary's Hospital.

This part of town is also where you'll find Fratton Park, home to Portsmouth's premier league football team, Pompey. A proposal is underway to build a state-of-the-art, larger capacity stadium adjacent to the existing site, which will include an apartment complex, fittingly named Pompey, surely for only the most ardent of fans.

Buyers? - Fratton has a slightly shabby feel which prevents prices from climbing too high so it's a feasible place for a first-time purchase. Ideal for supporters of Portsmouth FC.

Pros? - The Asda is a big plus as is the train station with services to central Portsmouth and to London.

Cons? - Fratton Road is quite run-down and fairly uninspiring as a shopping area, much like the district itself.

What's there? - mostly 50s and 60s built post-war housing. Shops, pubs and cafes along Kinsgton Road. The City of Portsmouth Girls' School, several churches, a cemetery and war memorial - and HM Prison Kingston.

Buyers? - ex-council tenants, first-time buyers.

Pros? - local shops are handy for basics and house prices aren't too steep.

Cons? - fairly bland housing, and having a prison in the vicinity naturally isn't to everyone's taste.

What's there? - lots of social housing built in the 50s and 60s, mainly narrow terraced homes and purpose-built flats. Includes the Charles Dickens Estate, which has a mix of owner-occupiers and council tenants.

Old Commercial Road is home to the Charles Dickens' Birthplace museum, and the houses around here are elegant terraces dating from the 1800s.

Victory Retail Park is just off Mile End Road and has large furnishing stores, an office equipment centre and free car parking, and there are local shops, pubs and takeaways on Kingston Road.

Buckland Park has a children's play area and tennis courts, and the adjacent community centre has a supervised splashpool.

This area was the site of the recently demolished Tricorn shopping centre which was the unfortunate winner in a 2001 poll of Britain's most hated building.

Happier times lie ahead, however, with proposals to redevelop the area and create a new Northern Quarter featuring shops including a John Lewis flagship store, new housing, public open spaces and an 150 room hotel. The estimated date of completion is 2009.

Buyers? - first-time buyers, former council tenants.

Pros? - close to the city centre.

Cons? - quite a run-down area in parts, especially the estate around Sultan Road.

What's there? - rows of terraced housing originally built for dockyard workers in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, and former council housing. There are a couple of schools and churches.

Stamshaw Park has tennis courts, a bowling green and a cycling track, a children's play area and a supervised play centre with adventure playground, splashpool and kickabout area.

Alexandra Park and the Mountbatten Centre are to the northern tip. This is a large park with great sports facilities including a regional Sports Centre (Mountbatten), athletics track, tennis, netball, basketball, cricket, hockey, bowls, five-a-side and children's play area.

Portsmouth Greyhound stadium is also in the northern part of Stamshaw.

Buyers? - former council tenants and families.

Pros? - the parks and sports facilities, and good access to the ferry terminal and Portsmouth Harbour train station.

Cons? - Functional rather than aesthetic rows of housing.

What's there? - mainly late 19 th and early 20 th century terraces, with some semis, flats and flat conversions. London Road has small shops, cafes and pubs. Also some schools, churches, a library and an Odeon cinema.

Buyers? - Quite family orientated due to its suburban feel and flat conversions are popular with renters.

Pros? - Self-contained area with shops for everyday needs and good access to motorway network.

Cons? - Not much in the way of greenery.

What's there? - mostly terraces, some of which have been converted into flats.

Buyers? - mainly familes.

Pros? - Copnor is a pleasant suburb which suits families.

Cons? - primarily residential so not necessarily suited to young couples and singles.

Where is it? - the residential part lies west of the railway line up to Alexandra Park.

East of the railway is an industrial area with several estates such as Broad Oak and Admiral Park, and just beyond here is the residential enclave of Anchorage Park.

What's there? - lots of terraced housing but also detached, semis and flats, both purpose-built and converted, and a reasonable amount of modern terraced houses and flats such as those in Merlin Drive and Hobby Close.

Anchorage Park is a modern housing estate , approximately 10-15 years old, with a variety of property styles including townhouses, terraces and apartments.

Leisure-wise, Hilsea has a free Lido next to a children's play area, tennis courts, a roller-skating rink and a playing field.

Hilsea Lines is an area of 19th century fortifications with a moat, defensive walls and embankments which are overgrown with woodland. This 200 acres site provides some fascinating walks, and connects the eastern and western coastal paths.

Buyers? - families and first-time buyers, workers at the industrial estates.

Pros? - Hilsea its own train station and there's property types to suit many tastes. The City of Portsmouth's Boys' School is located here.

Cons? - the industrial estate is quite a dominant factor and may be off-putting to some buyers.

What's there? - properties set around an attractive marina, or just beyond: house styles include maisonettes, townhouses and apartments, many with an attached boat mooring.

The Marina Boardwalk has shops, bars, restaurants, a six-screen cinema and a David Lloyd Fitness Centre.

Buyers? - fans of waterfront homes with the necessary funds.

Pros? - pleasant homes in a picturesque setting, with great facilities on the doorstep.

Cons? - properties tend to be pricey due to the waterside setting; quite far out so a car would be handy, although there is a bus service to The Hard Interchange by Portsmouth Harbour.

What's there? - it's made up mostly of three long crescent-shaped roads with primarily terraced housing. Also Highbury College, two schools, and a recreation ground with children's play area.

Buyers? - popular with families and first-time buyers.

Pros? - close to the facilities of Cosham.

Cons? - quite dense rows of similarly styled housing.

West Cosham is the area west of London Road and Northern Road, which includes King George V playing fields.

What's there? - primarily a residential enclave with a complete mix of property types, including some large semis and detached homes to the north of High Street, the ubiquitous terraces, and a popular enclave of new-build homes with Scottish-named streets in the northern-most part of West Cosham.

Cosham has its own station, a High Street with local shops and a handy Tesco, a cinema, a park with tennis courts and bowling greens, a couple of schools, and the Queen Alexandra Hospital.

There's also access to the expansive King George V playing fields with eight football pitches and two cricket squares, and a regular site for fireworks displays.

Buyers? - the different types and sizes of property means there's something for all budgets.

Pros? - some very attractive houses in leafy suburban streets, and good local facilities.

Cons? - the High Street can attract congregations of loitering youths of an evening.

Wymering lies to the north of Medina Road, over Southampton Road to Porstdown Hill, with Paulsgrove situated north of Southampton Road over to the border with Fareham in the west, and also bordered by Portsdown Hill northwards.

What's there? - both estates have a whole mix of property styles including terraces, detached, semis, maisonettes and flats, but the main housing stock is made up of terraces and purpose-built flats.

Some are of smart appearance such as the bungalows in Bridges Avenue, Paulsgrove, and others have plainer facades, like the flats in Cromer Road and the Maidstone Crescent terraces, both Wymering.

There are several schools and churches in the area, some local shops in Allaway Avenue, a library and the newly opened (2005) Paulsgrove & Wymering Healthy Living Centre, which also serves residents of Cosham.

Paulsgrove's innovative Inside/Outside children's play area in Marsden Road won the Portsmouth Society's Best Landscaping Scheme award last year.

Buyers? - former social tenants, first-time buyers, younger families.

Pros? - lots of greenery around as the estates back onto Portsdown Hill, and prices are fairly low. Paulsgrove is a stamp-duty exempt area up to the value of £150,000.

Cons? - large, dense housing area, and some council estate problems such as the seven consecutive nights of riots which took place in Paulsgrove during 2000.

These were once independent villages but became part of Portsmouth in the 1920s and 30s when more land was needed for the expanding city. Nowadays the developments merge into each other with very little left of the original villages.

What's there? - some beautiful and substantial detached homes with extensive gardens, many with gorgeous views towards the Solent, courtesy of their hillside position. Also semis and bungalows and some terraces.

Havant Road, Down End Road, Uplands Road and Beverley Grove are some of the most desirable roads in this area, and indeed in the city itself.

Farlington has a Sainsbury's and a Homebase, and is the site of the Portsmouth Hilton hotel. There are several schools and churches in the vicinity.

Public spaces include Drayton Park (cricket ground, football pitch, children's play area, bowling green and rose gardens), Zetland Field (open space with children's play area and ball court), and Cosham Park (bowling green, tennis courts and children's play area).

Portsdown Hill at the back of Farlington & Drayton rises to a height of 125 metres and offers fabulous views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, or to the Hampshire countryside in the opposite (northern) direction.

Buyers? - wealthy families and green-fingered couples.

Pros? - lovely and leafy part of town with wide, tree-lined streets.

Cons? - steep prices compared to Portsmouth as a whole, and the suburban nature may not appeal to younger buyers.