You’ll find this bright apartment, with white-washed walls and sunshine yellow sofa, a ten-minute walk from South Parade Pier and Southsea Beach. Waking up here is easy, especially when a gentle coastal breeze drifts through the windows, it’s getting out of bed that’s the hard part – just try and resist those soft linens and extra plump pillows. When you do arise, a fully-equipped kitchen takes care of lively brunches together around the dining table. Once you’re refuelled and raring to go, slap on your sun cream and race down to the water. Spend warm afternoons lounging on the sands and crashing into the waves. History buffs should make a beeline to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (ten minutes in the car) and Southsea Castle (fifteen minutes by foot), where it is said Henry VIII watched the Mary Rose, his favourite ship, disappear beneath the surface. Before dusk falls, take a trip on the Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight or stick around and tuck into the catch of the day in Portsmouth’s highly-rated restaurants.

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