Of all the things to do in the area a Portsmouth tour by helicopter has got to be pretty much at the top of the wish list! Touring bustling Portsmouth Harbour and the stunning Solent coast beyond in a helicopter is a real thrill – and you get that breathtaking bird’s eye view of everything.
Helicopter rides over Portsmouth set off from Solent Airport at Lee-On-Solent. This is the former Royal Navy Air Station known as HMS Daedalus just four miles west of the city. Being so close to Portsmouth means that even on the shortest of helicopter rides you’ll be treated to fine views of Portsmouth home to the UK’s largest and oldest naval base.
Access to the Naval part of the harbour is indeed restricted as it is still very much in active service so an aerial excursion over Portsmouth is a real insider treat. Over 17 000 personnel work here and Portsmouth still boasts abundant ship building with orders for vessels such as aircraft carriers which you may well see from the air.
You might then also see the historic dockyard home to the Mary Rose HMS Victory and HMS Warrior before flying over neighbouring Spinnaker Tower. This is a tour highlight for sure as this 170m tall observation tower in the form of a sail is such a great landmark for Portsmouth. Seeing it from air in a helicopter is just brilliant and it’s totally photogenic too so make sure you get some good aerial shots of the Spinnaker from your seat in the chopper!
On the longer sightseeing flights there might even be time to pass over Hayling Island before turning to head back to base via the Solent coast catching sight of the likes of Lock Lake Southsea and the Isle of Wight on the horizon as you go.
Being a Portsmouth tour all the maritime action on the waters below you is central to these flights. Ferries naval vessels sailing boats and fancy cruise liners – all can quite easily be seen from the heli which for these rides flies at around 1000ft affording you superb views or life in and around this corner of south Hampshire.
