HAT GUIDED WALK AROUND HISTORICAL OLD PORTSMOUTH

HAT WALK AROUND HISTORICAL OLD PORTSMOUTH – Thursday  JULY 6^TH 2023

Andrew Negus, the Blue Badge Guide and Speaker, who may be known to some of you through his talks to Local History Groups, and who led us on previous outings to Southwick and Hambledon, is going to be our leader on two walks in one day in Old Portsmouth.

The first walk will start from the Dockyard Gates (Victory Gate) at 10.30a.m. and finish at the Cathedral at 12.30p.m. We will take in a lot of the rich history of this area, which although much altered still has glimpses of its past, if, as Andrew does, one knows where to look.  A few to note are the stories of the mudlarks, St George’s Square with its beautiful cobbles, the arches of Ordnance Row and the walls of what was HMS Vernon, previously the Torpedo and Warfare School and now upmarket flats.  There are also many pretty streets to admire in Old Portsmouth itself, towards the Cathedral, particularly around Lombard Street and the Cathedral itself with Andrew describing its beginnings in around 1180 as a chapel built by the Augustinian canons of Southwick Priory on land given by the Lord of the Manor of Titchfield. It became a parish church in the 14thC and the Cathedral for the new diocese of Portsmouth when it was parted from the diocese of Winchester in 1927, and as we will hear was a controversial choice! At the end of this part of our walk there are several cafes and pubs in the area where you can lunch or you may wish to bring a picnic as the Royal Garrison Church and Govenors Green are close by, or you can return to Gunwharf Quays where there are many different eateries.

The afternoon walk will start at the Cathedral at 2.00p.m and will take in Nelson’s final walk in England, the Battlements, the Square Tower, the Round Tower and the history of Portsmouth Point or  Spice Island as it came to be known, but perhaps not for the reason you may think!  We will end with tea and cake at the Still and West, which has a wealth of history in its own right.

You may wish to use the Park and Ride at Tipnor clearly signed off the M275 which is £4.00 per day for up to 5 people per vehicle.  It is approximately 20 minutes to the Hardway and the buses run 3 times per hour.  Alternatively there is parking at Wickham Street car park, about 100 yds from the Dockyard Gates along Queen Street.  There is also parking at Gunwharf Quays and further towards Old Portsmouth opposite the Isle of Wight Car Ferry terminal on Gunwharf Road.

The cost of this day will be £20.00pp to include Andrew’s fee and the tea and cake, with any remaining money  going to HAT.  For ease of hearing Andrew our numbers will be limited to 25 and members are reminded that although pavements are plentiful this is a busy traffic area, and  the streets  narrow and often cobbled  so care must be taken.

Booking; either e mail events@hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk or book by post marked HAT events organiser to  236 Hunts Pond Road Titchfield Hants PO14 4PG. Payment is by Bank Transfer to HAT account sort code 30-99-71 account 00361865 or by cheque to Hampshire Archives Trust, subject line Old Portsmouth tour. Phone number for enquiries 01489 573056