Portsmouth named one of most charming downtowns by HGTV. Here's what they said
HGTV recently published a list of the top 40 most charming small-town downtowns in America, and Portsmouth was the only New Hampshire city to make the cut.
"Nothing charms like a small downtown that beckons visitors with historic architecture and boutique shops or local culture and tree-lined streets," the article said. "Many small-town downtowns are located in beautiful settings or have stunning views."
Here's what HGTV had to say about one of the most walkable cities in the Granite State.
HGTV named New Hampshire's downtown as one of the top 40 most charming small-town downtowns in the United States.
What HGTV said about it: "New England is teeming with walkable, charming small-town downtowns, and New Hampshire may have more than its fair share. Portsmouth, for one, is a delightful port city on the Piscataqua River that's rich in history for those eager to learn about life in Colonial days. Start your day with a cuppa at Cup of Joe Café and Bar, or order up a full breakfast at The Friendly Toast before strolling the red brick-lined sidewalks around Market Square. Head to Portsmouth Harbor for sensational views of the historic Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. The seaside Prescott Park rewards visitors with gorgeous manicured gardens in warm-weather months."
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH downtown named one of most charming in US by HGTV
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Protester dressed as 'tortured orca' chained to suitcases on Above Bar
Protesters have staged a demonstration outside the TUI store in Southampton in support of marine mammals and criticising 'notoriously cruel marine parks.' A campaigner from animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stood outside the TUI store in Above Bar Street on Monday afternoon, chained to suitcases, representing a tortured orca, that will 'never get the chance to travel,' said protestors. It comes as the travel company continues to sell tickets to the likes of SeaWorld, a marine mammal park in Florida. More than 120 UK companies, announcing they've stopped selling tickets to SeaWorld and other attractions featuring captive whales and dolphins. Speaking to the Echo, PETA campaigner, Grace Galopin, said 'the message behind the protest was incredibly important'. READ MORE: PETA campaigner Josie Johnson, representing a tortured orca, outside the TUI store in Southampton (Image: Supplied) She said: 'It's World Orca Day, so we're here to tell TUI to drop marine parks and stop profiting from the abuse of marine mammals like orcas and dolphins. 'These poor animals are essentially imprisoned and forced to live in tiny tanks their whole life, they're put with incompatible mates, they're forced to perform tricks for tourists and their living conditions are just terrible. 'They should be out in the wild and free where they can display their own natural behaviour and not exploited for entertainment. A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaigner in Southampton this afternoon representing a 'tortured orca' outside the TUI store on World Orca Day, as TUI continue to sell tickets to the likes of SeaWorld that keep whales and dolphins in captivity. @dailyecho — Matt Davey (@MattDaveyJourno) July 14, 2025 'We've had a lot of feedback and conversations from shoppers in the high street today and the majority tend to agree that there's no place for marine mammals in captivity, when they should be free and in the wild.' Elsewhere in Lymington over the weekend a PETA campaigner served 'locally caught tabbies,' 'kitten cakes' and 'fresh local Siamese,' at the Lymington Seafood Festival, challenging the belief that some species are superior to others and more deserving of respect and kindness. 'Crabs and other marine animals feel pain and terror just as cats and dogs do,' said PETA senior campaigns manager, Kate Werner. She added: 'PETA urges anyone horrified by the thought of tucking into a tabby to extend that compassion to all animals and please, go vegan.' PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to eat,' opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview.
