 The Hot Walls |
 Victoria Park |
 Old Portsmouth |
| The
modern city of Portsmouth is unique in the country on being situated
largely on an island. The oldest part of the city is on the south-western corner of the island, but the earliest permanent habitation was on the northern shore of Portsmouth harbour at a location known as Portchester. Here there was a prehistoric settlement and later a Roman Fort was built. It is the only Roman fortress in Europe still intact today and through the ages has been used as a royal residence and also a military base. Many monarchs have contributed to its architecture making it an interesting place to visit. Old Portsmouth as it is now known, was established in the 1180s, within strong walls and had numerous Taverns, Inns, Brandy and Coffee Shops catering for the many thieves, vagabonds and prostitutes who roamed the narrow, cobbled streets, preying on the many sailors with full pockets. In later times, Press gangs added to their numbers any man who was too drunk to escape their clutches and it was not a pleasant place to be in those days. As the population grew then the little town expanded outside the walls to include the Dockyard area, then known as Portsmouth Common, and extended as far as Landport and Fratton. Now it is a lovely place to visit, as many of the old houses and the cobbled streets remain. Wander through the lanes of Spice Island, visit the Square Tower built by Henry V, the Round Tower, the sea defences, called the Ramparts, built by Henry V11 and the splendid Cathedral of St Thomas, which used to be a small chapel in the old town. Restaurants and public houses can be frequented nowadays and the Harbour, with its ever-changing panorama of small and large craft passing by, can be viewed without the fear of being press-ganged into the Navy. The first Australian Fleet left from Old Portsmouth on 13th May 1787, 11 ships carrying convicts to Botany Bay in New South Wales to form a new colony. Australian visitors to Portsmouth feel compelled to visit the very spot, where perhaps their own ancestors left from English shores. Before this time convicts were sent to America to serve their sentence, but after the American War of Independence the new nations didn't want the convicts, who would be released at the end of their time. They preferred to import black slaves from West Africa, who they could keep for life. Southsea became a more upmarket extension to the town when Naval and Military Officers needed residences outside the walls by the early 19th Century. Many properties in the area were designed and built by Thomas Owen, the famous Architect, some of these buildings still remain and add great character to the residential part around the Southsea Shopping Centre. Only for a short stretch opposite South Parade Pier does building development come within 50 yards of the sea front. This is because most of the intervening land, now gardens, playing fields and public open spaces belonged until the 1920s to the military authorities, who refused to allow it to be developed. This area still has beautiful flower gardens and lovely green park areas. Victorian times brought a new era again, Southsea became a popular seaside resort for middle class families and today remains a pleasant holiday destination. Portsmouth of the 21st Century is still a thriving seaport, gateway to Europe with naval ships still sailing into the Dockyard and Continental ferries setting off from the Port to France, Spain and Jersey. Portsmouth is a City, with a colourful Historical and Naval past, which has much to offer Tourists and Residents alike. |