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 both 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. You may even want to watch the films and shows again and see if you can spot the local connection!
9. 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
10. Downton Abbey - Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle in Highclere was used as the main filming location for the hit TV drama Downton Abbey, serving as the titular abbey. Photo: ITV picture desk
11. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Basing House
This parody of Jane Austen's landmark Pride and Prejudice which features the addition of zombies filmed scenes at Basing House in Old Basing near Basingstoke in November 2014. Photo: Lionsgate
12. Lyrebird - Portsmouth
Produced by legendary director, the forthcoming film Lyrebird which stars Guy Pearce and is about Dutch folk hero Han van Meegeren who sold art forgeries to the Nazis. It filmed in Portsdown Hill Road in 2018. Photo: Google Maps