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No minimum number of attendeesNo minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Accepts electronic paymentThis tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card
Free tour of Historic Old Portsmouth
Guru:
Steve
Registered on February 11, 2023
Hi, I'm Steve, the lead guide for Portsmouth of the Past Free Walking Tours. Having lived in and around the city for over 40 years, I have extensive knowledge of the quirky or secret places that you might miss. Your guides love engaging with visitors from all over the world to this wonderful city. What makes Portsmouth unique? It is all about its people, their lives, loves, and losses. It is not about boring buildings and dreary dates. As such I am a storyteller, making our history real to people today.
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Tour description
We offer tours of the historic parts of Old Portsmouth. We focus on its people and stories of their lives, loves, and losses, not dreary dates or boring buildings.
Please note: the tours do not enter the Historic Dockyard, go on its ships, or visit the Spinnaker Tower.
Your guide has lived in Portsmouth for over 40 years. He has an unrivaled knowledge of historic Portsmouth from its Roman origins to the present day, delivered in a fun, engaging, and informative manner. The tour is supported by historic pictures, maps, etc.
The full tour route is approximately 2 miles and wheelchair/mobility scooter friendly. We are also dog friendly.
Tour groups are limited to 12 people, ensuring you can hear & engage.
For international travellers, summary sheets of the key points are available in several languages.
A children's workbook/pencils are available to take away to ensure their engagement and interest.
For people with connections to Portsmouth, your guide has extensive data on past naval losses, people lost during World War 2. You may have local history you never knew!
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Highlights
What will we visit on this tour?
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Meeting point:The Hard Interchange, Portsea, Portsm...The Hard Interchange, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3PU, UKDirections
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1Outside visitThe Hard
Just outside the historic dockyard, also known as Devil's Acre, reflecting its history of drinking, & pressgangs.
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2Outside visitHMS Warrior
See this magnificant ship from 1860
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3Outside visitSt Georges Square
The oldest dock area from the 13th century with a monument to Britain's greatest engineer
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4Outside visitThe Camber Docks
Portsmouth's oldest commercial area from the 14th century.
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5Outside visitSpice Island
The entertainment centre of Portsmouth for over 600 years!
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6Outside visitHotwalls Beach
See the Solent and hear the story of the Ghost Ship!
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7Outside visitPortsmouth Cathedral
The cathedral of the Sea, started in the 13th Century and finished in 1990s!
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8Outside visitGunwharf Quays
Finish your tour with a coffee, glass or wine or delicious food
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Tour opinions
Devika
20 May 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
May 2023
Had an absolutely wonderful time experiencing the docks, the beach and the islands. Coming out of the city with a completely different perspective on James Bond movies and taking home the baffling histories of bars and brothels.
Steve
15 May 2023
Verified booking
Travelled alone -
May 2023
A really pleasant and informative experience. Information provided that gives an insight to the area that we walked and the people that lived there . Fascinating, cannot believe I hadn't gone along before now.
Rebecca
14 May 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in group -
May 2023
We had such a fun and informative your with Steve, who is very passionate about Portsmouth and very knowledgeable. Recommended!
Elsa
09 May 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
May 2023
Thank you very much for the very interesting and entertaining tour on Sunday. It was great to discover such interesting facts and characters from Portsmouth, well done!
Lisa
07 May 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
May 2023
Steve was very friendly and very knowledgeable about Old Portsmouth. He immediately put the group at ease. I discovered lots of interesting facts about the area and would definitely recommend this tour for others.
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Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.
What should you know?
Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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See availability