Portsmouth trip on 5th October 2022

Our trip to Portsmouth had a poor weather forecast but this didn't dishearten the walkers, with some people excited with the thought of travelling on a train for the first time for many months, even years!  After the train ride, we walked through Gunwharf Quays before finding our way to the John Ponds memorial. An amazing man, crippled in a dockyard accident, he  set up as a shoemaker, but in 1818 began giving poor children free basic education. He died in 1839 but his example set in motion a free schools movement ( The Ragged Schools) and by 1881 it is thought 300,000 children had been educated in a Ragged School, there being 200 throughout Britain. Charles Dickens was inspired  to write A Christmas Carol after a visit to a Ragged School. With the Education Act of 1870, education gradually became free to all children and volunteer based Ragged Schools were no longer required.

A short walk down the road and we reached the Portsmouth Cathedral where we had a delightful guided tour by a volunteer. Many examples of the naval background of Portsmouth were present, with pieces on Nelson's flag, a cross made form HMS Victory and the grave of one seaman whose remains were found on the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545. From there we walked along the Millennium Trail, via Spice Island, back to The Old Customs House for a very good lunch. As we prepared to leave, the rain came down, but had stopped again by the time we reached the exit. The afternoon was free to shop or to visit the nearby Naval Shipyard. In the shipyard is an impressive boat restoration building, Boathouse No 4. Here we met up with a very knowledgeable guide who was kind enough to get us onto the pontoon and view some historic restorations, including a motor gun boat, available to hire. We just had time for a coffee before we had to get back to the station for the journey home.

Petersfield station

John Pounds workshop, rebuilt at the Unitarian Church in the High Street

So, what's in the window?

Crippled in a shipyard accident, John Pounds gave hundreds a basic education, sometimes 40 pupils crammed in his shop

Portsmouth Cathedral. The spire was never damaged during WW2 as it was a handy landmark when heading for the dockyard.

Grave of an unknown sailor from The Mary Rose, one of more than 450 who drowned when the boat capsized

The magnificent organ, originally built for Manchester Cathedral.

There is a fragment of the flag from HMS Victory in the Cathedral

From this spot, convicts went to Australia and New Zealand. Luckily not on Wednesdays!

Spice Island

Fish market on the quay

Tasty selection - and free ice if needed.

Lunchtime

HMS Warrior built in 1860 was the country's first steel hulled battleship. Redundant within 10 years, it never saw any action at sea.

Luckily the wind had died down enough for us to be allowed onto the pontoon outside Boathouse No. 4

High Speed rescue launch used in WW2. 13,000 airmen of all nationalities were rescued from the sea by these craft.

Motor Gun Boat 81. Incredibly fast, originally powered by 3 petrol engines, wooden hull. submarine hunter.

Pontoon party

Inside Boathouse No. 4, having a private tour.

All safely back to Petersfield

• ← Lodsworth walk on 28th September 2022
• Tilford walk on 12th October 2022 →