68-531: The Square Tower is one of the oldest parts of the fortifications of Portsmouth, England . It is a Grade I listed building . A tower was built in 1494 as part of the fortifications and served as a home to the Governor of Portsmouth . In 1584, it was converted to a gunpowder store , the governor having moved to a residence next to the Garrison Church . At the time of the royalist surrender of Portsmouth at
136-544: A semaphore tower on the roof, the first link in a signalling chain running between the Royal Dockyard and The Admiralty in London. Following the introduction of the electrical telegraph , the semaphore tower was demolished in 1848. The tower was manned during both World Wars. It was purchased by Portsmouth City Council in 1958–1960. In a niche on the east wall is a bust of Charles I by Hubrecht le Sueur . The original
204-562: A bed, four to a room, with additional rooms being provided for officers at each end of the block, and for sergeants in the middle of the ground floor. By 1684 there were barracks in addition at the Round Tower, and a two-storey block at the Landport Gate. The first true fortification of the dockyard was constructed between 1665 and 1668 although there had previously been a wall around it. The fortification consisted of an earthen rampart with
272-459: A cost of £200. Starting 1678 Fort James was constructed on Burrow Island . Later in the 1680s Southsea castle was rebuilt. In the same decade the Portsbridge fort was also rebuilt. The city walls were again rebuilt. A second moat was also added with a new defensive line being constructed between the two moats. A ravelin was added at Landport where the London road entered the city. On
340-472: A degree of defence for the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour . The first recorded fortifications on Portsea Island appear to have been a wall constructed in 1212 around a primitive shipyard sited just to the north of what later became Camber Dock . The wall lasted less than twelve years. During the 14th century, Portsmouth was subject to attacks in 1338, 1369, 1377 and 1380. Evidence suggests that simple earthworks were constructed and reconstructed around
408-441: A firing platform, while another tower was constructed on the corner where the ramparts to the south east and the northeast of the town met. In the centre of the northwest rampart was the town gate defended by a structure known as The Mount which also acted as a bastion. Finally, the wall to the north of the town had a tower at each end one where it joined the northeast wall and one where it met the sea. Gabions were constructed along
476-469: A large pond and the grounds of Portsmouth College . Buckland is a central neighbourhood at the heart of the island, directly north of Kingston and north-east of Landport. Copnor is an area on the eastern side of Portsea Island. As Copenore , it was one of the three villages listed as being on Portsea Island in the Domesday book. In the late 19th and early 20th century the rapid expansion of Portsmouth saw
544-540: A modern map of Portsmouth, the route of the Southsea Railway can still clearly be seen from the arrangement of the newer housing and roads which replaced it. This residential area of terraced streets includes Alexandra Park , and the Mountbatten Sports Centre . To the north lie Tipner and Hilsea , and to the south are Kingston , Buckland and Commercial Road, the main retail area of the city. Stamshaw
612-446: A siege of 40,000 men. In one of the first actions of the civil war Parliament managed to capture the city from the royalist forces during the Siege of Portsmouth . In 1665, Charles II ordered Bernard de Gomme to begin the reconstruction of Portsmouth's fortifications, a process which was to take many years. The year before this a new chain to block the harbour entrance was ordered at
680-408: A signalled level crossing for many years (now a bridge). A "Station Road" was laid out, and still exists, however construction on the station never began. Fronting the beach along the southern shore is the promenade road of Eastney, which includes is punctuated by three forts, small Eastney Fort West (dismantled), Eastney Fort East and large Fort Cumberland , which occupies a modest peninsula. Eastney
748-551: A single bastion and two demi-bastions. Later in the 17th century in 1688 the fort protecting the crossing across Portsbridge creek was rebuilt under the direction of the Chief Royal Engineer Sir Martin Beckman . In the 18th century, Portsea started to grow up around the dockyard and in the 1770s a series of ramparts and moats were constructed to protect this new settlement. The sheer manpower required by de Gomme's defences meant that after about 1730
SECTION 10
#1732847478258816-533: A small 18th century settlement built on the London to Portsmouth A3 road , a mile to the north of the main Landport Gate entrance to the walled town of Portsmouth (now Old Portsmouth ). Mile End was consumed within the rapid urban development of the growing Landport and Buckland areas during the 19th and 20th centuries. Much like neighbouring Rudmore, Mile End's proximity to Portsmouth's naval dockyard during World War II caused extensive damage and redevelopment of
884-532: Is an area of the city of Portsmouth , occupying much of the south-west area around the naval base. It was originally known as The Common , but had its name changed in 1792, taking its present name from Portsea Island on which it stands. In its past, Portsea was a separate settlement to the north of the town of Portsmouth (now Old Portsmouth) before being integrated into the Borough of Portsmouth in 1904, and City of Portsmouth in 1926. Engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel
952-424: Is an inner city residential district of Portsmouth that was first founded in the early nineteenth century on land owned by a Mr. Somers, in whose name the district is now named. Somerstown is located to the south of Landport and the north of Southsea. Southsea occupies the southern end of Portsea Island, within a mile (1.6 km) of Portsmouth's city centre and Portsmouth Harbour. Originally named Croxton Town after
1020-438: Is bordered on the east by Langstone Harbour. Eastney lies to the south, Southsea to the south west, Baffins to the north and Fratton to the west. Milton was originally a small farming village on Portsea Island, surrounded by farmland until it was swallowed up by city expansion in the early years of the 20th century. Portsmouth Football Club 's Fratton Park stadium, despite its name, was built on land purchased from Milton Farm and
1088-477: Is bounded to its west by the M275 motorway and Whale Island , and to the east is North End . The main thoroughfares of Stamshaw, Twyford Avenue and Stamshaw Road, are two axes of a one-way traffic system. An eponymous infant and junior school serve it. Its park adjoining the feeder road terminating at the city centre (with motorway status) has large fields and an adventure playground. This small north-west corner has
1156-513: Is home to one of Portsmouth's main sports and leisure facilities, the Mountbatten Centre and Trafalgar School . Among its small green belt to the north and west is Portsmouth rugby football club. Anchorage Park is a 1980s housing development which occupies the north-eastern portion of Hilsea. Anchorage Park was formerly the location of Portsmouth Airport , Hilsea which was closed in 1973. This small central, typical, terraced district of
1224-508: Is one of four stations remaining on Portsea Island and forms part of the Portsmouth Direct line . To the east of Fratton railway station there is Fratton Traincare Depot , a train maintenance depot. The large former Fratton railway goods yard was cleared in the late 1990s and early 2000s, making way for a retail park. Hilsea is the north-western district of the city, with a mixture of residential and industrial/retail/distribution areas. It
1292-485: Is still located in the Milton Ward area of Portsmouth, south of the city's railway line, the boundary of the neighbouring Fratton Ward area. North End is a mainly residential area to the centre-north of the island. Its name reflects its origin as a northern expansion of the (then) village of Kingston, forming the "northern end" of Kingston. North End is built on land which was formerly Stubbington Farm, part of which retains
1360-399: Is that an increasing number of the names used for the fortifications survived until the present day. The bastion on the corner where the wall extending from the saluting platform met the wall running along the southeast rampart of the town was recorded as Green's Bulwark or Chaterton's Bulwark. Of the two towers on the corners of the north wall of the town the one at the western end was known as
1428-494: Is the Mile End Industrial Estate. Novelist Charles Dickens was born at 1 Mile End Terrace, Mile End on 7 February 1812, which has since been renamed 393 Old Commercial Road, Landport. Milton is a suburban residential district of the city of Portsmouth with two large public parks, named Milton Park and Bransbury Park , which were both once farms. Milton is located on the south eastern side of Portsea Island and
SECTION 20
#17328474782581496-451: Is the most south-eastern area of Portsea island and forms part of the entrance into Langstone Harbour . Eastney offers a marina (confusingly named as "Southsea Marina") and also a foot-passenger ferry service across Langstone Harbour to neighbouring Hayling Island . Eastney Lake, a natural tidal inlet of Langstone Harbour is located on the northern side of the Eastney peninsula, with Milton on
1564-464: Is typical of the residential areas in the city. There is also a modest shopping centre on Fratton Road, The Bridge Centre , built on the site of a large former Co-op department store, now dominated by a large Asda supermarket, which reflects the working-class naval and industrial heritage of the Fratton district, with localised rather than centralised low-budget shops and cafés. Fratton railway station
1632-548: The English Channel and role as home to the Royal Navy . For this reason, Portsmouth was, by the 19th century, one of the most fortified cities in the world. The fortifications have evolved over the centuries in response to changes in tactics and technology and the area defended has increased. While the first defences focused on Portsmouth harbour, in step with the fortifications of Gosport , later defensive structures protected
1700-570: The Portsea Parish of the island. Portsea's name is derived from the Latin word portus , meaning 'harbour' and the Saxon word ēġ (pronounced /i͜yːj/ , 'ee'), or ea (also pronounced 'ee') meaning 'island'. Portsea Island was previously named with a Latin–Saxon Portus eg (or Portuseg ) name (alternatively Portus ea or Portusea ). Local people began adding the additional Island noun after
1768-635: The Portuseg (or Portusea ) name in later times after the Saxon ēġ and ea meaning had become lost. Two Bronze Age hoards and a hoard of Roman coins have been found on the island. In 979 AD the island was raided by Danes. At the time of the Domesday Book , three manors were recorded as being on the island. Adjoining the eastern green belt , this extends into the heart of the Baffins neighbourhood which has
1836-491: The Southsea Railway . The Southsea Railway incorporated three stations at Jessie Road Bridge Halt , Albert Road Bridge Halt and a terminus station called East Southsea at Granada Road. The railway line ran south off a branch line from Fratton Station . The Southsea Railway was closed in 1914 due to economic competition from trams. Railway track and stations were subsequently removed and replaced with roads and housing. On
1904-579: The old town of Portsmouth. This development worried the governor of the dockyard, as he feared that the new buildings would provide cover for any forces attempting to attack. In 1703, he threatened to demolish any buildings within range of the cannons mounted on the dockyard walls. However, after a petition to Queen Anne, royal consent for the development was granted in 1704. Part of The Common's shoreline in Portsmouth Harbour became known as The Common Hard , so-named as its sloped hard clay shoreline
1972-587: The 1760 main entrance gateway to the old walled town of Portsmouth still stands in its original location, on what is now St George's Road in Old Portsmouth. The main London to Portsmouth A3 road ran northwards from Landport Gate, which created the settlement of Landport just to the north of Old Portsmouth. A mile north from Landport Gate also gave rise to the Mile End settlement and the Mile End Road name. Portsea
2040-469: The 1840s and 1860s as the dockyard was extended. The city walls though were for the most part removed in the 1870s and 80s a task accomplished through the use of convict labour. Improvements in artillery technology had rendered the various landward facing fortifications obsolete over the turn of the century and by the end of the first decade they largely disarmed. After World War 1 the city council started to buy various defences as they were released by
2108-566: The Dock Bulwark while the one at the eastern end is recorded as Guyes Bulwark. The mount is also recorded as being known as the Great Bastion. The gate that controlled access to Portsmouth point was known as the North Gate although by 1571 it (along with other parts of the fortifications) was in a poor state of repair. The second half of Elizabeth I's reign saw yet more work on the bastions and
Square Tower - Misplaced Pages Continue
2176-581: The Mile End area post-war. However, remnants of Mile End still survive to present day along a narrow area of Portsea Island's west shoreline; Mile End Road is the official name of a section of the A3 road to the north of Commercial Road which extends northwards through Mile End (alongside the M275 motorway ) towards the Rudmore Roundabout intersection with Kingston Crescent in North End. To the west of Mile End Road
2244-594: The city has a few high-rise developments and is entirely residential. Residential parts of Landport are separated from its trade and distribution premises alongside its Albert Johnson Quay by the M275/A3 where the roads change designation. In the westernmost street of this residential side is a large old listed horse trough and row of listed four homes, the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum in his birthplace home, and Mile End Chapel (a studio). A section of
2312-676: The city museum. The Square Tower is now used for hosting functions such as weddings, christenings and funerals. It also hosts regular tea rooms and markets. During the Australian bi-centenary celebrations in 1987 it hosted an exhibition on the First Fleet . Scott Doonican from the comedy folk band The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican performed at the Square Tower on 14 May 2023. Fortifications of Portsmouth The fortifications of Portsmouth are extensive due to its strategic position on
2380-610: The colony. Tucker escaped and made it all the way back to Britain in 1803, only to be taken to Portsmouth for re-embarkation to Australia. He was later a sealer , established the retail trade in preserved Maori heads and settled in Otago , New Zealand where he became that country's first art dealer before falling victim to his hosts in 1817 and being eaten. The novelist Sarah Doudney was born in Portsea on 15 January 1841. Hertha Ayrton , British engineer, mathematician, physicist and inventor,
2448-462: The double moat system used around Portsmouth was abandoned with the outer moat being filled in. At the same time the defences started to focus on protecting the whole of Portsea island. The Portsbridge fort was again rebuilt in 1746. During 1756 and 1757 the first Hilsea lines were constructed in order to protect the north of Portsea island. The first Fort Cumberland was constructed to prevent hostile forces from sailing to Langstone harbour and
2516-474: The east of Portsea Island lies Hayling Island , separated by Langstone Harbour . To the west is the peninsular mainland town of Gosport , separated by Portsmouth Harbour . To the south, it faces into the Spithead area of the wider Solent . A narrow tidal channel along the northern edge of Portsea Island, known as Portsea Creek , separates Portsea Island from the mainland. Three roads connect Portsea Island to
2584-555: The eastern part of the Hilsea lines. The remaining defences were deactivated when the UK abandoned coastal artillery in 1956. Of the defences constructed Portsea Island , Southsea Castle, Fort Cumberland, The Round tower, The Square tower, Lumps Fort, Parts of the Hilsea lines, the Spur Redoubt and parts of the walls of old Portsmouth along the seafront all survive. Various fortifications within
2652-480: The edge of the Camber dock area and a palisade made to separate Portsmouth Point from the town. A wooden wall was constructed between the Round Tower and the saluting platform at around the same time. The next phase of expansion started in the late 1550s and continued through the rest of Elizabeth I 's reign. From about 1560, the work was largely under the direction of Richard Popynjay. The ramparts were updated and
2720-650: The end of the Siege of Portsmouth during the English Civil War 1200 barrels of gunpowder were stored in the tower; the royalists were able to use the threat of detonating the store as a bargaining chip during the negotiations leading up to the surrender. From 1676 Pierson's Wharf, at the northern tip of The Point , was leased to the Board of Ordnance to serve as a gun wharf (where naval cannons and other items were stored for easy loading on to ships, which could moor nearby). This led to gunpowder barrels routinely being rolled
2788-837: The first Lumps Fort and Eastney battery were built to protect Eastney beach . The city and harbour's most recent comprehensive fortifications were built as a result of the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom and consist of the Palmerston Forts in the Solent, the line of Forts situated along the top of Portsdown Hill , forts in Gosport and the Hilsea Lines . Fort Cumberland and Lumps Fort were significantly rebuilt. The Portsea fortifications were expanded slightly in
Square Tower - Misplaced Pages Continue
2856-544: The first bridge at the Landport gate which was constructed in about 3 years starting 1586. During this time there also appears to have seen a fair amount of repair work. Sometime around 1600 a new gate known as point gate replaced the North Gate in controlling access to Portsmouth point. At the time of the Civil War , the fortifications mounted around 100 guns and when properly manned were considered by some to be able to withstand
2924-432: The first of several defensive chains that could be raised in an attempt to block the harbour entrance was ordered. By 1542, Portsmouth was surrounded by defensive ramparts and towers built from earth and wood. One tower was positioned on the corner where the wall extending from the saluting platform met the wall running along the southeast rampart of the town. The southeast rampart was also equipped with what appears to be
2992-453: The gabions along the edge of the Camber and the palisade that cut off Portsmouth point were replaced by stone wall. Other works including improving the various towers with some of them developing into bastions. The Mount defending the town gate was reconstructed, developing into what could be considered a true bastion in the process. The saluting platform also saw some rebuilding work during this period. Another development during this period
3060-667: The harbour boom chains are on display at Southsea castle . One of the Pickett-Hamilton forts constructed to protect the airport was on display outside the D-Day Story in Southsea. This was removed in 2017 when the museum was refurbished. 50°47′56″N 1°05′28″W / 50.799°N 1.091°W / 50.799; -1.091 Portsea Island Portsea Island is a flat and low-lying natural island 24.5 square kilometres (9.5 sq mi; 6,100 acres) in area, just off
3128-466: The hazards of an explosion led to calls for Portsmouth's gunpowder stores to be relocated. In 1779, the gunpowder having been relocated to Priddy's Hard , the Square Tower was given to the Victualling Board to serve as a Royal Navy meat store, remaining as such until 1850, when this function was moved to the new Victualling Yard complex at Gosport . In 1823, the Board of Admiralty installed
3196-503: The land owner, a Mr. Croxton, Southsea grew into a popular Victorian seaside resort in the nineteenth century. Southsea has a thriving commercial area with well-known high street chains, and numerous independent traders which includes restaurants, bars, charity shops, food retailers and furniture/household goods shops. From 1999, Southsea had its own separate town council, but was reintegrated back into Portsmouth City Council in 2010. From 1885, Southsea had its own railway branch line, named
3264-486: The length of the cobbled roads of The Point, between the tower and the wharf, inevitably leading to a certain amount of spillage. A wharf, known as the powder bridge, was built with access directly from the tower, allowing the barrels to be loaded onto ships moored alongside the wharf. In the 1690s an additional magazine (the 'New Magazine') was built on a triangular promontory on the east side of The Camber . All these locations were alongside built-up areas, and concerns about
3332-521: The mainland railway network via a short railway bridge over Portsea Creek. In addition there are ferry services to Gosport (on the mainland), Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight . There are also ferries to the Channel Islands , northern France and northern Spain . Portsea Island gives its name to a neighbourhood of Portsmouth historically known as The Common , now formally known as Portsea and also
3400-605: The mainland road network; the M275 motorway , the A3 London Road (split on two separate bridges) and the A2030 Eastern Road . There are also two pedestrian and bicycle bridges over Portsea Creek. In Portsmouth Harbour, a road bridge connects Portsea Island to Whale Island , a restricted Royal Navy shore base establishment. Portsea Island has four railway stations ( Portsmouth Harbour , Portsmouth & Southsea , Fratton and Hilsea ) connected by an island branch line to
3468-412: The military. The 1920s and 30s saw the purchase of much of the Hilsea lines and Lumps fort by the city. During WW2 anti tank defence blocks were constructed on Fraser Beach . Pill boxes were constructed to defend Portsmouth Airport in the form of Pickett-Hamilton Forts . The sea forts were re-equipped with AA guns. A new concrete gun emplacement which contained a single 75mm gun was constructed on
SECTION 50
#17328474782583536-510: The naval dockyard also exist. Beyond Portsea the majority of the Portsdown Forts remain although Fort Wallington has been largely demolished. Of the four gates in the walls of Old Portsmouth only Landport Gate survives in its original position. King James's gate, Lion Gate and Unicorn Gate have been re-erected slightly further away. Antitank defence blocks on Fraser Beach are now a grade 2 listed structure. A pair of links from one of
3604-416: The opposite northern side of Eastney Lake. A small enclosed lagoon nicknamed 'The Glory Hole' is located on the southern side of Eastney Lake, and is refilled with Langstone Harbour's salt-water on high spring tides. Eastney Lake is also known by locals as 'Eastney Creek' or 'The Creek'. Fratton is a residential and light industrial area of Portsmouth . It consists mostly of Victorian terraced houses, and
3672-532: The original main Portsmouth to London A3 road between Commercial Road, Landport and Kingston Crescent is locally known as Mile End Road area. Landport is also home to the former Mile End House School, which was a boys preparatory school founded by George Lewin Oliver, who later became a founding director of Portsmouth Football Club on 5 April 1898 and club chairman on 27 July 1912. See Landport Mile End began as
3740-412: The original village engulfed. The west of the district is now a predominantly residential area of 1930s housing, while the east is an industrial and commercial area. It was originally intended to have a railway station; the intermediate station between Havant and Portsmouth Town stations when the line opened. However, this never materialised, in spite of the large gap between stations, and the existence of
3808-519: The settlement in response. The first structure built to defend Portsmouth proper was a wooden version of the Round Tower constructed between 1418 and 1426. Four years later, a second wooden tower was added on the opposite side of the harbour. During Henry VII 's rule, the Round Tower was rebuilt in stone and the Square Tower added. There is, however, some question as regards the extent to which it
3876-553: The shoreline a new battery was built at the end of Portsmouth point facing Gosport. Another battery , this one with 18 guns, was built that connected to the round tower with a further battery constructed between the square tower and the saluting platform. Beyond this battery, but connected to it by a tunnel, Spur redoubt was constructed. While the towns defences were being strengthened some thought appears to have been given to their aesthetic appearance. In 1665 Lieutenant-Governor Sir Philip Honeywood ordered that trees be planted on
3944-425: The south of The Hard . Rudmore is the name of a former residential district on the western side of Portsea Island near to the naval base and the present-day Portsmouth International Port . Rudmore was heavily bombed during World War II and was reduced to rubble. After the war, Rudmore was cleared to make way for the M275 motorway spur and the intersection junction now known as the "Rudmore Roundabout". Somerstown
4012-527: The southern coast of Hampshire in England . Portsea Island contains the majority of the city of Portsmouth . Portsea Island has the third-largest population of all the islands in the British Isles after the mainlands of Great Britain and Ireland ; it also has the highest population density of any British Isle, and Portsmouth has the highest population density of any city in the UK outside of London . To
4080-465: The street name of Stubbington Avenue. Old Portsmouth lies on the south west corner of Portsea Island and forms the eastern side of the narrow entrance to Portsmouth Harbour at the ports mouth . Old Portsmouth contains most of the traditional High Street and heritage of the original old town of Portsmouth, including Portsmouth Point (also known as "Spice Island") and the Camber Dock . Landport Gate,
4148-458: The town walls. In 1679 Sir Bernard de Gomme built barracks within the town to accommodate two Companies of Foot (120 men) to man the defences. His plan and specification for the building (a double range of ten bays, 153 ft 6 in (46.79 m) long by 36 ft 2 in (11.02 m) deep) represents 'the earliest known detailed drawing of a barracks in England'. The soldiers slept two to
SECTION 60
#17328474782584216-405: The war the area was redeveloped as all council housing, in a mixture of houses, maisonettes and tower blocks. Portsea is also the name of a religious parish of Portsea Island and the city of Portsmouth, Portsea's shoreline today still remains known as The Hard and is home to The Hard Interchange , a bus and coach terminus and Portsmouth Harbour railway station , which is built on a pier to
4284-507: The whole of Portsea Island and an increasing distance inland. At the same time, the fortifications of Portsmouth and Gosport became part of the wider fortifications of the Solent . Old Portsmouth , on the southwest corner of Portsea Island, has been walled for much of its history. The first fortification in the area was Portchester Castle , which, ultimately, dates back to the Roman Portus Adurni . Its position allowed it to provide
4352-459: Was born in Britain Street in 1806; and the professor William Garnett was born in Portsea on 30 December 1850. The Portsea area was formerly an expanse of common land located between the original walled town of Portsmouth and the nearby dockyard . The Common , as it was named, began developing as a new settlement at the end of the 17th century as a response to overcrowding within the walls of
4420-448: Was born there in 1854. By the start of the 20th century, Portsmouth council had started to clear much of the slum housing in Portsea. The city's first council houses were built in the district in 1911. The 1920s and 1930s saw extensive redevelopment of the area, with many of the older slums being replaced by new council houses. The area's proximity to the dockyard resulted in its taking massive bomb damage during World War II . After
4488-460: Was convenient for hauling boats into and from Portsmouth Harbour. In 1792 the name of the area was changed from The Common to Portsea (after Portsea Island ), and by then it had a mixed dockside population. William Tucker , baptised there in 1784, was convicted of shoplifting from a Portsea tailor, William Wilday, in 1798 and transported to New South Wales on the "death ship" Hillsborough which took convicts and typhus with it from Portsmouth to
4556-402: Was meant to be a defensive structure. It appears likely that what is now known as the " saluting platform" was also built during Henry VII's reign. Southsea Castle at the southern tip of Portsea Island was built by his son and successor Henry VIII . To the north of the city, it is believed that a small fortification was constructed to defend the bridge across Portsbridge Creek . In 1522,
4624-494: Was presented to the city by the King to commemorate his safe arrival from his trip to France and Spain in 1623. There is the following inscription below the Royal coat of arms : "After his travels through all France into Spain and having passed very many dangers both by sea and land he arrived here the 5th day of October 1623". The bust now on display is a 20th-century copy, the original is in
#257742