Half-term family fun at Gunwharf Quays
Whether the October half-term brings rain or sunshine to Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays are promising fun and entertainment for the whole family, from shopping and dining to bowling and rib rides.
Here’s a list of six things to enjoy at the premium retail outlet shopping centre over the coming week:
1) Speeding around the Solent
For a family thrill, embrace the elements and head down to the Gunwharf Quays marina for a 20-minute fast-paced rib ride. As you speed across the water, you’ll feel like you’re in an action-adventure film. You probably won’t stay dry, but it’s an enjoyable experience you won’t want to miss!
Or keep things a little calmer with Miniport Portsmouth, whose small vessels are huge fun to drive around for all ages. Each miniature ship is electrically-powered and very easy to control — no prior experience at the helm is needed!
2) The richest maritime history
For the complete family day out, submerge yourself in Portsmouth’s sailing culture and history, just around the corner at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The dockyard offers countless unique opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the UK’s most famous ships, including the newly-refurbished Mary Rose Museum.
For breathtaking views of the surrounding harbours and marinas, pop up the Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays and enjoy far-reaching 350º views — and maybe take on an abseil if you’re feeling adventurous! Team Locals did in 2014:
3) A world of dishes within walking distance
Take a trip to cultures afar without leaving Gunwharf — tour Italy’s cuisines with handmade pasta and golden risotto at Jamie’s Italian, hop over to Japan’s delicacies and perfect your chopstick skills at Wagamama, and leap to Latin America for the very best traditional Mexican street food and tapas at Las Iguanas.
Gunwharf’s restaurants are perfect for families looking for a meal out with the youngsters during the half-term. Jamie’s Italian have their Big Kids and Little Kids menus, Wagamama offer up lots of delicious dishes on their Mini menu, and Las Iguanas are always prepared to serve free organic food for babies.
Get a taster for Wagamama’s firecracker chicken with this video we shot with the restaurant:
4) Getting arty at Aspex Gallery
Aspex Gallery in Gunwharf Quays host Halloween workshops for all ages during the October half-term.
Activities include book-making, storytelling, and monster-making, themed around Mexico’s Día de Muertos — the Day of the Dead!
All sessions will take place in the gallery’s new Learning Space, led by Aspex’s team of staff and volunteers, as well local artists.
5) All the fun of the fair
From Friday 21st October through Tuesday 1st November, Gunwharf Quays’ Central Square will be host to the shopping center’s exhilarating children’s fairground! There’ll also be candy floss and roasted chestnut stalls to ignite the autumnal atmosphere.
Once you’ve enjoyed the fairground, grab the popcorn and head to Vue Cinema to take in the newest family blockbusters, including Tim Burton’s latest mystery-adventure flick Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children — adapted from Ransom Riggs’ wildly popular YA book trilogy — and the heartwarming comedy-drama A Street Cat Named Bob.
6) Strike action!
Take the whole family for a fun session of bowling at Bowlplex in Gunwharf Quays, with under-16s bowling from £5.49, or full-family admission for £21.49 — an ideal way to keep the kids entertained for hours!
Stay in the know about what else Gunwharf Quays has going on during the half-term by following them on Twitter, Liking their page on Facebook, and following them on Instagram.