Which means it is no surprise that it is a popular place to film major movies and TV shows.
With everything from James Bond films to The Avengers and Les Miserables having chosen to shoot across the county, including in Portsmouth and Gosport.
In many cases hundreds – and even thousands – of fans have turned out to catch a glimpse of filming and to meet some of their heroes from both the big and small screen.
In 2016 Hollywood star Sir Anthony Hopkins arrived in Gosport as part of the filming for Transformers: The Last Knight, and had photos taken with fans between takes.
Two years later in 2018 Doctor Who fans went into overdrive after the stars of the BBC sci-fi show were spotted filming in Little Woodham, close to Stokes Bay.
Here are the films and movies you may not have realised were filmed in Portsmouth and Hampshire. Maybe watch the films and shows again and see if you can spot the local connection!
5. Transformers: The Last Knight - Gosport
Hollywood came to Gosport in 2016 with Mark Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins shooting scenes for Transformers: The Last Knight with HMS Alliance with the car that turns into Bumblebee drawing lots of attention. Photo: Sarah Steel
6. Avengers: Age of Ultron - Hawley Woods
Avengers: Age of Ultron filmed scenes in Hawley Woods, Hampshire. Picture: PA Photo/Jay Maidment/Marvel 2015 Photo: PA Photo/Jay Maidment/Marvel 2015
7. Gladiator - Alice Holt Forest
Oscar winning epic Gladiator starring Russel Crowe filmed in the depths of Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire. Photo: Dreamworks & Universal Pictures
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story - Fawley Power Station
This entry in the Star Wars franchise - which told the story of the origin of Han Solo - filmed at Fawley Power Station in Hampshire! Photo: Tim P. Whitby