We've done the Eurostar thing on our last 3 trips, and this time I thought it might be fun to take the train from London to Portsmouth, spend the day there looking at the Royal Naval Dockyard, HMS Victory, and all that. Then spend the night and catch the 9AM ferry to Cherbourg, arriving at 1PM. Then catch the first available train to gay Paree. Anyone here done that? Any recommendations for a nice hotel in Portsmouth?
I know that the English Channel can be really miserable at any time of the year, so I won't ask about seasickness. If it happens, it happens.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
The ferries from Portsmouth are large and well equipped with good restaurants and other facilities, so you should have an enjoyablr crossing, provided the weather isn't bad. Why have you chosen the Cherbourg route? Although the crosssing time is shorter, you then have a much longer journey to Paris. The Portsmouth-Caen route would probably be better, with a more frequent train service to Paris. There is a lot to see in Portsmouth if you are interested in ships and history, but there are fewer hotels that you might expect. The Gunwharf Quays area has lots of shops and restaurants and is at the entrance to the port. There is a Holiday Inn Express there which might suit your needs. However, the cross-channel ferry port is about two miles to the north.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
We did that about 3 years ago, flew into Heathrow and were picked up by www.aquacars.co.uk and taken to our Portsmouth B&B for less money than two train tickets. We spent the day touring the Royal Navy Dockyard, HMS Victory and had a wonderful time. We took the ferry to Caen, Ouistreham actually, then the bus to Caen where we fetched our rental car for 5 days in Normandie. Go to tripadvisor.com and get on the Portsmouth forum for tips on hotels and B&B's at dockside. Portsmouth has a lot to offer and there are some great WWII museums as well.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33821 posts
I was about to suggest the Holiday Inn Express as well.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Another option to consider would be to spend the day in Portsmouth and then catch the overnight ferry to Caen. You'll get to Paris a lot earlier in the day that way.