A WALK AROUND OLD PORTSMOUTH.
Start by parking either at Grand Parade, pay and display or on any of the nearby streets, check for parking time restrictions.
From Grand Parade walk east towards the Royal Garrison Church. Founded in 1212 as a hospice, the Domus Dei (God's house), was used as a shelter for overseas pilgrims travelling to Canterbury, Chichester and Winchester.
The church was closed during the dissolution under Henry VIII, part of the site being converted to a residence for the Governor of Portsmouth.
Later the church was used by the garrison troops and was restored between 1866 and 1868.
The Nave of the church was gutted by a fire bomb on the 10th January 1941, hence its current roofless appearance.
Continue walking east on the path situated between the church and a high grass bank. The bank is part of the fortifications built to defend
the Town of Portsmouth from attack. Continue along this path until you come to an opening in the fortifications on your right.
Turn right into the tunnel, this will lead you to a new bridge which crosses the defencive moat. This is the same route which Nelson took
on his way to board HMS Victory on route to the Battle of Trafalgar.
On the ground in the paving you will see a chain design incorporated into the paving, this is the Millennium promenade, you can use this as a guide
until you get to the Point, just past the Still and West pub.
When you have descended from the tower and the fortifications, follow the millenium promenade markings through a narrow gate, just
at the base of the round tower.
When you pass through the gateway you will enter Capstan Square, at this point a capstan could be used to raise a chain across the
harbour entrance to prevent enemy ships from entering.
Exit the square and turn left, following the narrow cobbled streets towards the Point, still following the Millenium Promenade. At the point
there are excellent views of the harbour towards the Spinnaker Tower and
HMS Warrior, with the masts of HMS Victory visible beyond.
Leave the Point by walking along Broad Street, not the street you entered by, until you reach East Street, here turn left and then take the
next left along the dock side. Follow the dockside all the way round, passing, or stopping, at the Bridge Tavern. On the side wall of the Bridge
Tavern is a large mural version of Thomas Rowlanson's cartoon entitled 'Portsmouth Point'.
Continue following the dockside to the top and then rejoin Broad Street via Seagers Close. Turn left onto Broad Street and again follow the
Millenium Promenade chain design in the paving, after a couple of hundred yards, this will direct you left down a narrow lane, again
on the edge of Camber docks. Follow this lane until it emerges onto the street at White Hart Lane.
Turn right into White Hart Lane, the Millenium Promenade goes the opposite direction at this point. Follow the road for several hundred yards
until you see a footpath that passes through the housing to your left, pass through here.
When you have finished at the Cathedral, cross the High Street, towards the Dolphin pub and turn right onto Pembroke Road walking east
at the next corner, at the Pembroke pub, turn right into Penny Street walking south, you again pass the Royal Garrison Church on your left
and rejoin Grand Parade where you began.
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