Portsmouth Cathedral, Portsmouth
In 1180, Jean de Gisors, founder of Portsmouth, donated land to build a chapel "to the glorious honor of the martyr Thomas of Canterbury." This Church of Saint Thomas of Canterbury was to become Portsmouth Cathedral.
The religious edifice, dedicated in 1188, had a cruciform shape and a high tower. The tower and nave, ruined in the civil war, were restored by Charles II. The church survived French raids in the 100 Years' War. Queen Elizabeth I worshipped there in 1591.
In 1927 the Church of Saint Thomas of Canterbury became the Anglican pro-cathedral of Portsmouth. Architect Charles Nicholson was commissioned to extend the size of the church, which would dignify its cathedral status. Nicholson chose a "Neo-Byzantine" style.
In 1991 Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother attended the consecration. Bronze doors designed with an ancient symbol representing the renewal of life, "Tree of Life" by artist Bryan Kneale guard the main entrance. The nave is square, closed in by a vaulted ambulatory.
The font, made to a Greek design of the 9th century, is placed centrally between the nave and the quire. In the transept of the south tower is a bronze statue of John the Baptist by sculptor David Wynne. The main altar stands on a podium of Purbeck stone, with mosaic work by sculptor and stonemason Richard Noviss. The pulpit dates from 1693 and is all that remains of a three-decker pulpit. The extension of the cathedral used granite from a quarry in Singapore.
The religious edifice, dedicated in 1188, had a cruciform shape and a high tower. The tower and nave, ruined in the civil war, were restored by Charles II. The church survived French raids in the 100 Years' War. Queen Elizabeth I worshipped there in 1591.
In 1927 the Church of Saint Thomas of Canterbury became the Anglican pro-cathedral of Portsmouth. Architect Charles Nicholson was commissioned to extend the size of the church, which would dignify its cathedral status. Nicholson chose a "Neo-Byzantine" style.
In 1991 Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother attended the consecration. Bronze doors designed with an ancient symbol representing the renewal of life, "Tree of Life" by artist Bryan Kneale guard the main entrance. The nave is square, closed in by a vaulted ambulatory.
The font, made to a Greek design of the 9th century, is placed centrally between the nave and the quire. In the transept of the south tower is a bronze statue of John the Baptist by sculptor David Wynne. The main altar stands on a podium of Purbeck stone, with mosaic work by sculptor and stonemason Richard Noviss. The pulpit dates from 1693 and is all that remains of a three-decker pulpit. The extension of the cathedral used granite from a quarry in Singapore.
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Portsmouth Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: Portsmouth Cathedral
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Religious
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.
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
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