Gunwharf Quays

Spent a sunny day at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth shopping and site seeing. The Quays is generally very accessible and close to the Historic Dockyard. There is accessible underground parking (height limit 2M+) at the Quays. The day included a trip on the harbour tour boat. Joined the boat at the marina on the waterfront of Gunwharf Quays rather than the Historic Dockyard. The gangway to the boat is steep but manageable and had a clear view from the rear of the boat. Enjoyable tour. We ate at Zizzi's Restaurant on the waterfront overlooking the marina. There are a number of accessible toilets in the Quays. The one I used was maintained and clean.

I have been here many times but this time we got the passenger ferry from Gosport. The route is simple, smooth route but a couple of quite steep inclines so I was glad to have my fri-ride. I saw multiple chair users so it is obviously well known to be accessible. Lifts to the underground carpark and upper level eateries. The wide pedestrian shopping village is level and easy to navigate, all the shops although busy have wide entrances.

Gunwharf Quays, opened circa 2001 on the HM Gunwharf site (which was basically a place for munitions etc) and forms a very large shopping mall. There's a 1,450 car space underground car park with plenty of blue badge spaces. The APNR system is technologically advanced and supposed to help you find a space, providing it knows you want a blue badge space - I just turned right after getting my ticket. Shock horror, blue badge holders pay as well so it's £2.90 for minimum payment. Not knowing Portsmouth, I went for the easy option but you can always park double/single yellow lines if you know where to go. You'll find 90+ shops and 30+ food outlets, a 14 screen cinema, casino, night club and 26 lane bowlplex! The shoppers paradise is also the location for Spinnaker Tower, the 110m high view point. I did not use the toilets but there were several dotted around.