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!
. Downton Abbey
Highclere castle is where Downton Abbey was filmed. Picture: Tim Ockenden/PA Wire Photo: Tim Ockenden
. Tommy - Portsmouth
Based on The Who's classic 1969 Rock Opera Tommy, the film of the same name was mostly shot in Portsmouth such as at South Parade Pier, Hilsea Lido and Kings Theatre. It was filmed in 1974. Photo: Contributed
. Les Miserables - Portsmouth
This star studded adaption of the book/ musical Les Miserables filmed scenes at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with Hugh Jackman being one of the Hollywood stars who arrived in the city for the filming in 2012. Photo: Laurie Sparham/ Universal Pictures
. Vanity Fair - Portsmouth
Scenes for the major 2018 ITV drama Vanity Fair based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th century novel were filmed at HMS Victory. It featured in scene where British troops were preparing to sail to Belgium before Waterloo. Photo: Chris Stephens
. Doctor Who - Gosport
The first female Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker came to living 17th museum in Little Woodham in Gosport to shoot scenes for episode eight of her first season The Witchfinders episode in 2018. Photo: Lewis Jefferies
. 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
. 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
. 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
. 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
. 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
. 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
. 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
. Wolf Hall - Winchester
The Great Hall in Winchester was used to film scenes for the BBC miniseries adaption of the acclaimed novel Wolf Hall. Filming took place in 2014. Photo: Ed Miller/ BBC
1. Tommy - Portsmouth
Based on The Who's classic 1969 Rock Opera Tommy, the film of the same name was mostly shot in Portsmouth such as at South Parade Pier, Hilsea Lido and Kings Theatre. It was filmed in 1974. Photo: Contributed
2. Les Miserables - Portsmouth
This star studded adaption of the book/ musical Les Miserables filmed scenes at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with Hugh Jackman being one of the Hollywood stars who arrived in the city for the filming in 2012. Photo: Laurie Sparham/ Universal Pictures
3. Vanity Fair - Portsmouth
Scenes for the major 2018 ITV drama Vanity Fair based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th century novel were filmed at HMS Victory. It featured in scene where British troops were preparing to sail to Belgium before Waterloo. Photo: Chris Stephens
4. Doctor Who - Gosport
The first female Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker came to living 17th museum in Little Woodham in Gosport to shoot scenes for episode eight of her first season The Witchfinders episode in 2018. Photo: Lewis Jefferies