Portsmouth Old Town

About trip

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 defensive moat. This is the same route which Nelson took on his way to boardHMS Victory on route to the Battle of Trafalgar. 

On the south side of the moat, you join the seafront promenade, follow this in westerly direction, away from the fun fair at Clarence Pier.
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. Along this section of the walk you will again follow the old fortifications passing first the Square Tower, residence of the Governor of Portsmouth in Tudor times and then the Round Tower, started by Edward III and completed by Henry VIII. For great views of the harbour, climb the steps to the top of the round tower.

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 defensive moat. This is the same route which Nelson took on his way to boardHMS Victory on route to the Battle of Trafalgar. 

On the south side of the moat, you join the seafront promenade, follow this in westerly direction, away from the fun fair at Clarence Pier.
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. Along this section of the walk you will again follow the old fortifications passing first the Square Tower, residence of the Governor of Portsmouth in Tudor times and then the Round Tower, started by Edward III and completed by Henry VIII. For great views of the harbour, climb the steps to the top of the round tower.