Historic cities, castles and coastal towns to explore before your ferry or at the start of your UK road trip

Whether you're travelling to or from England by ferry or cruise ship, you don't need to make the port your only stop. There are historic cities, castles and coastal towns within easy reach that make great places to spend a day or two before continuing your journey, or a fascinating way to the fill the time before you sail.

An evening ferry to France or Spain gives you plenty of time to explore somewhere interesting first rather than spending the day waiting around near the port. And if you've just arrived in England, while it can be tempting to get straight on the road, why not make one of southern England's most interesting historic towns and cities your first stop on your English holiday?

From the medieval streets of Winchester and the magnificent cathedral at Salisbury to the castle-topped town of Arundel, incredible Roman history in Chichester, these six destinations are all within easy reach of Portsmouth and Southampton, making them ideal places to spend a day, a night or even a couple of days before continuing your trip.

Because we travel with a toddler, we've also considered the practical side of each destination, including how long to stay, what there is to do with children, and how easy each place is to reach from the ferry or cruise ports.

At a glance:

*Driving times are approximate and can vary significantly depending on traffic.*

1. Portsmouth

Best for: Naval history, the seaside and the easiest ferry day

If you're sailing from Portsmouth, the obvious option is to spend the day exploring locally, and there's far more to the city than the ferry terminal. Portsmouth has been an important naval base for centuries, and its maritime heritage is one of the city's biggest attractions.

The Historic Dockyard is home to some of Britain's most famous ships, including HMS Victory (Lord Nelson's famous flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar) and HMS Warrior (Britain's first iron-hulled, armoured warship), but one of its most remarkable attractions is the Mary Rose Museum. Here, you can stand face-to-face with the surviving hull of Henry VIII's warship, which sank in the Solent in 1545 and was painstakingly raised from the seabed almost 450 years later. The museum was designed so that you get different panoramic views of the ship as you move through the galleries, alongside thousands of Tudor artefacts recovered from the wreck. You can read our guide to the Mary Rose Museum here.

If you're more interested in 20th-century history, the D-Day Story is another excellent option. The museum tells the story of the D-Day landings through personal accounts, military vehicles and displays, and Portsmouth's location makes the city particularly significant to the story of 6 June 1944. The museum is also right on Southsea seafront, making it easy to combine with some time outdoors.

For families, the Historic Dockyard can easily fill several hours, and you don't need to worry about a long drive back to the ferry terminal afterwards. If you have less time, head to Old Portsmouth instead. The historic waterfront is home to the Round Tower, Square Tower and remnants of the city's fortifications, with views across Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent towards Gosport and the Isle of Wight. You could then visit Portsmouth's cathedral, dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket of Canterbury, or have afternoon tea in the futuristic looking Spinnaker Tower.

Blue Reef Aquarium is right on the seafront beside Southsea Castle, with sharks, stingrays, turtles, seahorses and tropical fish, and an average visit takes around an hour. It's a particularly useful option on a rainy day, or if you're travelling with younger children who need a break from historic sites.

For older children, Clarence Pier is another option during the main fairground season, with rides and attractions alongside its year-round arcades.

How long do you need?

Half a day to a full day, depending on how much of the Historic Dockyard you want to visit.

Visiting before a ferry (Why this works as a final day before sailing)

Portsmouth is the lowest-stress option if you're sailing from the city. You're already where you need to be, so there's much less risk of traffic turning the end of your sightseeing day into a frantic dash for the ferry.

Staying after a ferry (Why this makes a good first base on your English road trip.)

If you've just arrived in Portsmouth from France or Spain, why drive straight on? Portsmouth has enough to keep you busy for at least a day, particularly if you're interested in Britain's maritime history. Staying overnight means you can explore the Historic Dockyard without watching the clock, then spend some time around Old Portsmouth and Southsea.

If you have a second day, Fort Nelson, part of the Royal Armouries, is an easy trip just outside Portsmouth, with historic fortifications, underground tunnels and a huge collection of artillery. It's another good option if you'd like to get out of the city for a few hours before continuing your road trip.

2. Chichester

Best for: Roman history and a walkable historic city

Just a short drive from Portsmouth, Chichester makes a lovely option if you'd like to explore a separate historic city without travelling too far from the ferry port. The city has Roman origins and traces of its long history can still be seen throughout the centre. Chichester Cathedral is one of its highlights, with a history stretching back to the 11th century. It is also the final resting place of Gustav Holst, the famous English composer of The Planets suite, whose ashes are buried in the north transept beneath a memorial. The Novium Museum is another good place to discover the city's history, particularly its Roman past, including the remains of a Roman bathhouse.

Chichester's compact centre also makes it easy to explore on foot - take a stroll around the city's historic streets, past the huge medieval Market Cross and the remains of the Roman walls. If you're particularly interested in Roman history, Fishbourne Roman Palace is another excellent addition to your itinerary. Just outside Chichester, the remains of this enormous Roman villa (its footprint rivals Buckingham Palace!) include some of the most well-preserved mosaic floors in the world and give a fascinating insight into how wealthy Romans lived in Britain. It's a particularly worthwhile stop if you're travelling with older children who are interested in history, although you'll want to allow extra time rather than trying to squeeze it into a quick city visit - we'd recommend 2 hours at the site.

If you're travelling with children, one of Chichester's biggest advantages is that it is compact - you can combine sightseeing with plenty of opportunities to stop for lunch, ice cream or a wander through one of the city's green spaces.

How long do you need?

Around 5-6 hours is enough for a relaxed visit to the city centre and one or two attractions, or a full day if you'd like to include Fishbourne Roman Palace.

Visiting before a ferry

Chichester is close enough to Portsmouth that you can enjoy a proper day out without travelling too far from the port. It's a particularly good choice if you have a late sailing but don't want to venture too far inland.

Staying after a ferry

Chichester makes a lovely first base if you want to ease into your English road trip with a combination of history, culture and countryside. Spend your first day exploring the historic centre and Roman heritage, then use a second day to visit Fishbourne Roman Palace and the South Downs.

3. Winchester

Best for: Medieval history and Winchester Cathedral

If you're looking for somewhere that feels unmistakably historic, Winchester is one of the best choices. Once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, Winchester has a fascinating history stretching back well over a thousand years.

Winchester is one of England's most fascinating historic cities, with more than a thousand years of history woven through its streets. Once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, it's perhaps best known for Winchester Cathedral, one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals and the final resting place of some fascinating figures from English history, including celebrated author Jane Austen and two ancient kings of England: Cnut and William Rufus.

The Great Hall is a 13th-century aisled hall and the principal surviving structural remnant of Winchester Castle, which was founded by William the Conqueror in 1067. It is also home to the famous King Arthur's Round Table (although it isn't actually Arthur's - the oak table dates from the 13th century, centuries after the legendary king is said to have lived). The table was painted in its current form for Henry VIII in 1522, with a Tudor rose at the centre and the names of Arthur's knights around the edge, while the painted image of Arthur is thought to resemble the young Henry VIII. Not far away, Wolvesey Castle offers a glimpse of the remains of the medieval palace of the Bishops of Winchester. As you walk between the two, look out for the blue plaque marking Jane Austen's final home, where she lived during the last few weeks of her life.

You can also follow the River Itchen through the city, explore its historic streets and discover its connections with King Alfred the Great, who made Winchester his capital in the 9th century.

How long do you need?

Around 5-7 hours gives you enough time to see the major highlights without rushing.

Visiting before a ferry

Winchester is only around half an hour from Portsmouth, making it a convenient option for an evening sailing, but we'd recommend keeping an eye on the traffic and leaving a generous buffer before you need to be at the port.

Staying after a ferry

Winchester is an especially good first stop if you're heading north after arriving in Portsmouth. Rather than rushing through the Cathedral, Great Hall and historic centre before getting back in the car, stay for a night or two and give yourself time to properly explore one of England's most fascinating historic cities. It's also perfectly positioned for continuing towards London, Oxford, the Cotswolds or further north, making it a natural first stop for a wider English road trip.

4. Arundel

Best for: Castles, history and a quintessential English town

If your idea of the perfect day in England involves a castle, Arundel should be high on your list. Dominating the town from its hilltop position, Arundel Castle is one of Sussex's most impressive sights dating back almost 1,000 years and home to the Dukes of Norfolk for generations.

Explore the castle, gardens and historic grounds before heading down into the town itself. Arundel is also particularly photogenic, with historic buildings, independent shops and cafés clustered around its narrow streets.

For families, it's another good option because the castle provides plenty to explore, while the town and surrounding countryside give you somewhere to slow the pace down afterwards.

How long do you need?

Around 6-8 hours for a proper look around the castle and town, less if you just want to visit Arundel Castle before heading to Portsmouth.

Visiting before a ferry

Arundel is far enough from Portsmouth to feel like you've had a proper day out, but close enough that you don't have to spend the entire day driving. We'd recommend it for travellers with a later sailing and plenty of time to build in a comfortable buffer before heading to Portsmouth.

Staying after a ferry

Arundel makes a particularly good first stop if you're arriving in Portsmouth and heading east towards Sussex or the south coast. Give yourself time to explore Arundel Castle, wander the historic streets, enjoy the independent shops and cafés, and explore the surrounding countryside. It's also a great starting point for exploring Sussex, the South Downs and the south coast before continuing further into England.

5. Salisbury

Best for: Cathedral history and Stonehenge

For the biggest historical day out on this list, head to Salisbury. The city is famous for Salisbury Cathedral, whose enormous medieval spire dominates the skyline. Inside, you can see one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, as well as exploring the cathedral's remarkable medieval architecture. The cathedral is also the final resting place of former British Prime Minister Sir Edward "Ted" Heath, who lived nearby for many years.

The city centre itself is also worth exploring, with medieval streets, historic buildings and the River Avon. And then there's Stonehenge...

One of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments is only a short drive from Salisbury, making it possible to combine the two into a fascinating day exploring more than 5,000 years of history.

With children, we'd recommend allowing plenty of time rather than trying to squeeze everything into a few hours. Stonehenge is an experience in its own right, and Salisbury is worth exploring rather than simply treating it as a stop between the ferry and the stones.

How long do you need?

You'll need a full day. We'd recommend staying overnight in Salisbury the night before your ferry, giving you maximum time to explore the city and visit Stonehenge before heading to Portsmouth for an evening sailing.

Visiting before a ferry

This is the option for travellers who have a late sailing and want to make the most of every minute of their final day in England. It's also the destination we'd plan most carefully around ferry check-in times and traffic. Salisbury is further from Portsmouth than the other destinations on this list, so we'd only choose it if we had plenty of time and were starting the day in the area rather than travelling to it that morning and then continuing on to the ferry port.

Staying after a ferry

Salisbury is much more than a convenient base for Stonehenge. Stay for a night or two and you can explore the magnificent cathedral, wander the medieval streets and use the city as a jumping off point for visiting Stonehenge and other attractions across Wiltshire. It's particularly well placed if your road trip is heading west towards Dorset, Devon or Cornwall, or north towards the Cotswolds and beyond.

6. Southampton

Best for: Maritime history, Titanic connections and a city break

If you're sailing from Southampton on a cruise or catching a ferry to the Isle of Wight, it's a great excuse to spend some time exploring this fascinating maritime city before you set sail. Southampton has been connected to the sea for centuries and has played an important role in Britain's maritime history. It's also famously associated with the Titanic, which departed Southampton on its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912.

The SeaCity Museum is the obvious place to start, with permanent exhibitions covering Southampton's maritime history and its connection to the Titanic. But there's plenty more to discover as you explore the city on foot. You can follow sections of the medieval city walls, see the historic Bargate and visit the attractive half-timbered Tudor House Museum, one of Southampton's oldest surviving buildings. Along the way, look out for the American Wall, a red-brick wall covered with signatures left by US troops stationed in Southampton during the Second World War as they prepared for D-Day, as well as the Mayflower Pilgrim Memorial and the ruins of Holyrood Church, which was destroyed during the Blitz and now serves as a memorial to the Merchant Navy and those lost at sea, including the Titanic victims.

For a break from the history, Dancing Man Brewery is housed in a restored medieval wool house and makes a good place to stop for lunch or a drink. If the weather turns, or you'd prefer another museum after lunch, Solent Sky Museum celebrates the region's aviation heritage, including the development of the Spitfire.

If you'd like to dedicate your time to exploring Southampton's Titanic connections in more detail, we've also put together a self-guided walking route taking in some of the city's key Titanic sites and memorials.

How long do you need?

Half a day to a full day, depending on which attractions you visit: you can still see many of Southampton's historic highlights in just a few hours, while a full day gives you time to visit museums and explore more of the city's maritime and medieval history.

We've put together a detailed guide to spending one day or half a day in Southampton, including our suggested walking route, top historic sights and tips for visiting Southampton before setting sail.

Visiting before a cruise

Southampton is a particularly low-stress option for a pre-cruise day, especially if you're travelling with young children and don't want to add unnecessary driving on the day you sail. You can spend the morning exploring the city's history, have lunch, and then head to the cruise terminal without having to worry about a long journey from elsewhere.

Staying after a cruise

If you're arriving in Southampton after a cruise, there's plenty of reason to stay rather than immediately picking up the car and heading elsewhere. Southampton's maritime history, Titanic connections and medieval heritage can easily fill a day, while its location makes it a convenient base for exploring Hampshire and the south of England. If you're travelling with children, an extra night also gives you the luxury of starting your holiday slowly after a busy day at sea.

Travelling with young children?

Our biggest piece of advice is don't underestimate how much time you need to get back to the ferry port. Some of these destinations might be only 30 minutes from Portsmouth on a quiet day, but traffic can change that dramatically. The last thing you want is to spend the final part of your holiday watching Google Maps turn increasingly red! We'd much rather have an hour to spare at the port than spend the final afternoon watching the clock.

The same applies when you're travelling in the opposite direction. After a ferry crossing, you may be tempted to pack in as much as possible and cover plenty of miles on your first day in England. But if you've travelled overnight or have a tired toddler in the back seat, there's no need for your first day to be your biggest driving day. Choosing somewhere interesting close to the port, staying overnight and continuing your journey the following morning can make for a much more relaxed start to your trip.

Related content: Looking to explore more of historic England? Read these next!

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The Best Places in England to See Tudor and Half-Timbered Houses

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