Well, my plans are changing again! We are arrving at Heathrow early on a Sunday morning in February (we, being 2 adults, 2 teens) and now are thinking of going directly to Portsmouth (napping on the way), seeing the sights there and spending the night and heading to London the next morning. (Original plan was Bath, but husband and son saw "Master and Commander" and now plans are changing!) Is this feasable? How would you do it? train? What about accomodations? Any suggestions? And what are the must sees Thanks! Susan

Take the train and don't pass on a tour of the Victory (how did they live in such close proximity for such long stretches of time?!) and the pierside museums -- they were fascinating.

Last spring we stayed at B&B, Fortitude Cottage, in an old area of Portsmouth called Spice Island. The room was tiny but well-laid-out and clean. We had a car, but kept it parked and walked everywhere. The Victory is the definite highlight, but we also enjoyed the Royal Naval museum and walking around the old city walls and sea fortifications at night. Enjoy!

Don't forget the Mary Rose.

Last summer my husband and I arrived very early morning at Heathrow, rented a car, waited for Hampton Court to open and toured it quickly, then headed to Portsmouth, just dead of exhaustion. We stayed at the Best Western hotel by the water ==== Queen's Hotel, I think. Next morning we were up and on the go. Got to the shipyards early and had to wait a bit, but the weather was wonderful. We saw Lord Nelson's Victory and found the tour fascinating. You will too, after seeing "Master and Commander". The movie was filmed on a boat the same size as Victory, I'm told. And it looked just like the Victory. We saw the movie because we had seen the boat. You should see the boat because you have seen the movie. Really makes history come alive. Great museum there as well. And a good little pub nearby.

If you plan to travel from Heathrow to Portsmouth, get the bus from Heathrow to Woking, then the train. The buses run non-stop to Woking station which is a stopping point for all London-Portsmouth trains. Details should be on www.swtrains.co.uk.