Support services

Local amenities and transport

Shops

As you are living in the centre of Portsmouth, nothing is more than a short walk away. Commercial Road has all the usual high street stores and a Tesco supermarket. There is a Co-op near Portsmouth and Southsea station, which is open early until late. Gunwharf Quays is just a ten-minute walk away and has designer outlets, bars, clubs, restaurants, bowling and a cinema. You are also really close to Southsea, where you will find some high street stores, smaller boutiques and some great greengrocers for local fresh fruit and vegetables.

Eating out/takeaways

There are plenty of restaurants and takeaways all over the city to choose from, covering all cuisines, and some also offer student discount.

Pubs, clubs and bars

Portsmouth has plenty of choice when it comes to pubs. The most popular places to go are Tiger Tiger in Gunwharf and Liquid and Envy in town. If you're into live music and more alternative club nights, the Wedgewood Rooms on Albert Road is worth a visit and for a more cheesy 'dance around your handbag' night, Route 66 opposite James Watson Hall is the place to go. There are far too many pubs to list here, so just have a wander and find your favourite!

Remember to respect others when returning to halls late at night and keep noise down to an acceptable level.

Churches and places of worship

Portsmouth has many places of worship and you can find where they are by:

  • Contacting the University Chaplains who can be found in the Nuffield Centre
  • Contacting the Christian Union in the Students' Union
  • Visiting www.portsmouthchurches.co.uk

Safety

Portsmouth is a safe city on the whole, but like anywhere, it's probably best to take some simple precautions. Never walk home alone at night (this includes the guys) and always keep hold of your drink when you're out. The best advice you can have is to use your common sense – if it feels wrong, don't do it! You have made it to uni and halls. Live it up, but keep it down and enjoy your time with us!

Buses

There are plenty of buses which operate within Portsmouth, providing you with easy access to all parts of the city. First Buses offer a number of ticket types to save you money if you’re a frequent user. There is also the free University bus that links the main University campus, Gunwharf Quays and Langstone Student Village and which operates from approximately 7am to midnight (Monday to Friday during term-time). It stops at key locations along the way, including Fratton (ideal for Asda), the Pompey Centre (ideal for Lidl and Fratton Park) and Milton, before reaching Langstone. If you are joining a sports club, many practice sessions take place at Langstone Student Village, so the bus is the best way for you to get there. A timetable is available from various locations around campus.

Taxis

Taxis in Portsmouth are cheap (even better when sharing with someone else) and there are plenty of them, so it's quick and easy to get home safely after a night out.

Trains

Portsmouth is connected to the mainline railway network, with direct trains to London (1hr 35mins), Brighton, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff, to name just a few, and with easy connections to other parts of the country. In Portsmouth there's Fratton station (close to the main student housing in Southsea), Portsmouth and Southsea station, which is close to Guildhall Halls and Portsmouth Harbour station, which is next to Gunwharf Quays. Get a 16–25 Railcard (formerly Young Person's Railcard) – it costs around £25, but will save you loads on fares.

Bikes

Portsmouth is flat, so it’s easy to get around by bike. Each hall of residence provides safe storage for your bike and there are also numerous places around the University campus to lock your bike securely. There are various cycle routes within the city, which provide a great way to get around and keep fit at the same time. It is strongly recommended that you get your bike marked for security reasons.

Transport

Portsmouth is a very easy city to get around – it's compact, has good transport links and is flat, making it ideal for cycling. Those who are moving into halls should know that you are not allowed to keep a car in Portsmouth as there is no parking available, so here are the 'car-free' alternatives for you.

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