Trust Visit to Portsmouth - TrustNews Sept 12
Dark skies, wind and rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of guides David Baynes and his wife Jackie as we toured Old Portsmouth. Fuelled only by coffee we assembled at Point, the promontory of land that in centuries past has been the scene of much drunkenness and noise. We were going to learn more about the area known as Spice Island - so called because many ships bringing spices from the East docked here.
LONG ASSOCIATION OF WITH THE NAVY
As we looked at the harbour. David explained that it was Richard the Lionheart, in 1194, who first recognised the strategic advantages of Portsmouth with its docking and repairing facilities and easy access to France. Hence its long association with the navy. We had a fine view of the Spinnaker Tower, which has become a famous landmark and tourist attraction for the city of Portsmouth.
We made our way along Tower Street noting the interesting houses, particularly that of Wylie the artist with its rooftop studio. The old defences are still in place and we climbed the Round Tower, part of the fortifications built to defend the area from the French. Henry VIII and Charles II extended Portsmouth's defences and the old walls are still in place. The Square Tower was used as a powder magazine and during the Civil War in 1642 Governor Goring, loyal to Charles I, flung the keys of the Tower into the sea rather than hand them over to Cromwell's soldiers. 200 years later the keys were dredged up from the sea bed and are now in Southsea museum.
David explained that the channel into the harbour is very narrow and deep and landlubbers have a very close view of vast ferries and naval vessels as they enter and leave the harbour.
Turning our back on the sea — and the blustery wind — we headed inland past the ruins of the Garrison church towards the Anglican cathedral dedicated to St Thomas. After an interesting tour we made our way back to the High Street. David pointed out the former George hotel from which Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson left by the back door to avoid the crowds who had gathered to bid him farewell as he joined the Victory for the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
We ended our tour at the Abarbistro near the fish market where a very good lunch was enjoyed by all. There was an opportunity for wine tasting, a visit to the fish market, the Spinnaker Tower or just shopping in the afternoon.
Thanks ...
Our thanks go to our hosts David and Jackie who had obviously taken a great deal of trouble to ensure we had an informative and enjoyable visit. Old Portsmouth, at the end of the old A3 road is an historic and fascinating area far removed from the busy city of Portsmouth.