Portsmouth in May

May through September gives you the best of Portsmouth's outdoor attractions. The Historic Dockyard ships stay open until 6pm, Southsea Common hosts festivals, and the seafront restaurants extend their terraces. July and August bring crowds and higher prices - expect to pay 30% more for hotels. June hits the sweet spot. The weather's reliable, school groups haven't descended yet, and you can still get decent restaurant reservations. The Victorious Festival usually happens this month on Southsea Common - three days of music with the Spinnaker Tower as backdrop. Spring works if you don't mind cooler temperatures. March and April see fewer tourists, cheaper accommodation, and the city starts to wake up from winter. But some seasonal attractions run limited hours. Winter has its charms if you're into naval history. The Mary Rose Museum feels more atmospheric on a grey February day, and you'll have HMS Victory almost to yourself. Just pack waterproofs - the harbor wind cuts through everything. Avoid the first weekend in August unless you enjoy chaos. The Great South Run brings 25,000 runners to Southsea, hotels book solid, and traffic grinds to a halt. September offers better weather with fewer crowds.