Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth (must see)
The British Board of Ordnance operated HM Gun Wharf, a storage and repair depot for cannons, ammunition, and other armaments. One of many such established around the Empire, in Gun Wharf's later days, was HMS Vernon. The military depot closed in 1995 and re-opened in 2001 as Gunwharf Quays. This time it was, yes, a shopping center.
The site was sold to Berkeley Group Holdings in 1996. Six years of extensive redevelopment of the area and buildings by HGP Architects company followed. The facility re-opened as a retail outlet. Some historic buildings were damaged in the WW II Blitzkrieg, while others survived and were restored within the Gunwharf Quays development.
The Old Customs House pub and restaurant, built in the 18th century, is the oldest operating building on the Old Gun Wharf side of the site. The Grand Storehouse, also called the Vulcan Building, was the central part of the New Gun Wharf built in 1814. Its north wing and clock tower, destroyed in the Blitz, were part of the reconstruction.
The Old Customs House and the Vulcan Building were not the only restoration survivors. Parts of the boundary wall, North and South Gates, the Lock Keeper's Cottage, the Old Infirmary, and the old figurehead of the Fourth HMS Vernon have all come through.
The site was sold to Berkeley Group Holdings in 1996. Six years of extensive redevelopment of the area and buildings by HGP Architects company followed. The facility re-opened as a retail outlet. Some historic buildings were damaged in the WW II Blitzkrieg, while others survived and were restored within the Gunwharf Quays development.
The Old Customs House pub and restaurant, built in the 18th century, is the oldest operating building on the Old Gun Wharf side of the site. The Grand Storehouse, also called the Vulcan Building, was the central part of the New Gun Wharf built in 1814. Its north wing and clock tower, destroyed in the Blitz, were part of the reconstruction.
The Old Customs House and the Vulcan Building were not the only restoration survivors. Parts of the boundary wall, North and South Gates, the Lock Keeper's Cottage, the Old Infirmary, and the old figurehead of the Fourth HMS Vernon have all come through.
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Gunwharf Quays on Map
Sight Name: Gunwharf Quays
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Portsmouth, England
Create Your Own Walk in Portsmouth
Creating your own self-guided walk in Portsmouth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Dockyard Tour
The naval theme has always been dominant for Portsmouth. Most of the city's historic events are in one way or another associated with its seaside location. Portsmouth's Historical Dockyard is the area that offers a glimpse into the city's maritime past.
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Famous English Writers Walking Tour
Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, North Hampshire. In her day, Portsmouth was a rough-edged seaport filled with people she considered "underbred." Nevertheless, she often traveled to Portsmouth to visit her brothers Francis and Charles, stationed there with the Royal Navy. Austen included Royal Naval characters in her novels, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Portsmouth Introduction Walking Tour
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle claims a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501 AD. Winston Churchill, in his "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples," wrote that Port was a pirate who founded Portsmouth in the same year.
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles