Welcome to Portsmouth

Portsmouth is located on the south coast of England, in the county of Hampshire, on a small peninsula overlooking Portsmouth Harbour to the west, Langstone Harbour to the east, and the waters of The Solent to the south, approximately 73 miles south-west of London and 16 miles south-east of Southampton.

The city has a population of around 189,000. Administratively the City of Portsmouth covers an area of approximately 40 sq kms.

First developed as a fortified port by Henry VII, it is today renowned as Britain's premier naval base. The town has seen much modern development since 1945, following extensive bomb damage during WW2, although some interesting earlier buildings survive in the old area of the town. Perhaps its best known attraction is Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, which attracts thousands of tourists each year but there are many others making this a popular visitor destination. It is also a thriving commercial and retail centre.

The town's history dates from the 12th century, however, Bronze Age and Roman artefacts have been found in the town. The 'Anglo Saxon Chronicle' of 501AD records a visit by two ships to a place called 'Portes Mutha' at the mouth of the river. Wealthy Norman landowner, Jean de Gisors, was responsible for building the early town and the medieval grid plan can still be clearly seen in Old Portsmouth. The harbour provided a safe haven for his merchants ships and for trade with Normandy. However, following his support of an unsuccessful rebellion in Normandy, his lands were forfeit to the king. The town's first charter was granted in 1194 by Richard I and gave the town a weekly market, the right to trade throughout the realm, and some basic criminal jurisdiction. In total, 24 charters have been granted to the town. In 1212 William of Wrotham started the construction of the town's first docks. Portsmouth was regularly used as a base by Henry III and Edward I as a base for attacks against France. In 1338 a French fleet led by Nicholas Behuchet arrived flying English flags. Taking the town by surprise, they burnt it down, raping and slaughtering many of the townspeople. Only the church and hospital survived so Edward III exempted the town from paying taxes so that they could rebuild it. The town was sacked again by the French in 1369, 1377 and 1380. Portsmouth remained a small town until the 16th century, when Henry VIII built the world's earliest known dry dock. As the navy and dockyard grew, fortifications were needed and the Round Tower, the Square Tower, and Southsea Castle were built. In the 18th century, with regular wars, especially with the French, the dockyard flourished. The new town of Portsea was formed outside the town walls to house the growing population. The suburb of Southsea became a popular seaside resort with the rise in popularity of sea bathing. Portsmouth was awarded city status in 1926. During World War Two, the city was a prime target for German bombers. Portsmouth was attacked 67 times between July 1940 and July 1944. The city was devastated and 930 people were killed. After the war ended, reconstruction began. New housing was built and new industries arrived in the city.

Historically the town's economy was based upon it's naval presence. Today the town is still Britain's foremost naval station. Tourism is now an important industry, and in south of the city is the resort of Southsea.

The name Portsmouth may have been derived from the 'Anglo Saxon Chronicle' of 501AD where a reference is made to a visit by two ships to 'Portes Mutha' at the river mouth here.