HOW SIMILAR IS IT TO PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND?
Portsmouth NH still has an old-world charm, with cobbled streets and a number of attractive, restored 18th-century mansions, most of which are only open during the summer. Close to the water’s edge is Strawberry Banke (001 603 433 1100, www.strawberrybanke.org), a restoration of Portsmouth’s earliest settlement. Many of the reconstructed buildings are open to the public, and although the complex has a rather folksy air about it, with actors in costume attempting to add to the period feel, it is an interesting area. The ticket booth is on Macy Street, and entrance costs $12 (£7.50). Strawberry Banke is closed in January; in winter (November-December, February-April) it is open Thursday-Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday 12-2pm; in summer it opens Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 12-5pm. There are regular cruises from Portsmouth harbour, which depart several times a day between early May and late October from the dock at Ceres Street (001 603 436 8084, www.portsmouthharbor.com), not far from
