Portsmouth in Hampshire
Everyone knows that Charles Dickens was born in Landport, Portsmouth in 1812 but few know that
the very first Sherlock Holmes novel, 'A Study in Scarlet', was written in Southsea in Portsmouth
by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle or that Peter Sellers was born in Southsea in 1925 and his birthplace is on
the corner of Castle Road
and Southsea terrace with blue plaques that say 'Peter Sellers, Actor and Comedian was born here'.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel who helped plan the Thames Tunnel and the Clifton Suspension
Bridge as well as
design the first steamship built to cross the Atlantic, the Great Western, was also born in Portsmouth, in 1806.
Portsmouth became a city after a successful application in 1926
made on the grounds that it was the 'first naval port of the kingdom'.
Now dominated by the Spinnaker Tower,
Portsmouth was bombed extensively during World War II, destroying many houses and the Guildhall.
Southsea beach and Portsmouth Harbour were military embarkation points for the D-Day landings
on June 6 1944 and Southwick House, just to the north of Portsmouth, was the
headquarters for the Supreme Allied Commander, US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, during D-Day.
After the war they tried to improve the quality of housing in the city without very much success.
Redevelopment was characterised by utilitarian and brutalist architecture, with Portsmouth's
Tricorn Centre one of the most famous examples. More recently, a new wave of redevelopment has
seen Tricorn's demolition, the renewal of derelict industrial sites, and the construction of the
Spinnaker Tower. This tower is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which
was supported by a National Lottery
grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concepts.
Designed by local firm HGP Architects and the engineering consultants Scott Wilson
and built by Mowlem, it reflects Portsmouth's maritime history and represents a
sail. After several years of delays it was finally opened to the public on 18 October 2005.
At a height of 558 feet above sea level, it is 2.5 times higher than Nelson's
Column, making it the tallest accessible structure in the United Kingdom outside London. Visible
for miles around Portsmouth it has completely altered the area's horizon.
Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Victory, built between 1759 and 1765,
sits in dry dock in Portsmouth as a museum ship alongside HMS Warrior which was
was the largest and fastest warship of her day.
Old Portsmouth
Different from the rest of Portsmouth in almost every imaginable way is
Old Portsmouth in the south west corner of Portsea Island.
It is the original town of Portsmouth and houses Portsmouth Cathedral, The Royal Garrison Church,
The Square Tower and Round Tower and Point Barracks, and also the entrance to the Harbour.
The Round Tower was built between 1418 and 1426, overlooking the entrance to the harbour and the
adjoining Square Tower was built in 1494.
Long Curtain and Kings Bastion defences were added in the 17th century.
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Solent Sites Hampshire Business Directory & Hampshire Information
