Proposed Itinerary.
Subject to change before and during the walk and
dependant on weather conditions.
10.30-11.00.
Pre-walk gathering in Wetherspoons The I K Brunel Public House near Portsmouth
Guildhall.
11.00.
PhotoWalk starts on the steps of THE GUILDHALL. Built 1886-90 by William Hill, reconstructed after WW2
damage 1955-59, Interior and rear elevation completely rebuilt. Grade 11. [Take
a look at the bronze entrance doors with its whimsical beasts].
Walk
around the corner to look at the PARK
BUILDING, University of Portsmouth. 1903-8 by G E Smith. Portland stone and red brick with Flemish and
Renaissance motifs and Art Nouveau influences. Grade 11.
Back
to Guildhall Square and then down Guildhall Walk looking at the PRUDENTIAL
ASSURANCE BUILDING. 1891 by Alfred
Waterhouse. Red brick and terracotta. Grade 11. Followed by the THEATRE
ROYAL. Built as Landport Hall 1854, converted to theatre 1856, substantially
rebuilt 1884 by C J Phipps,
reconstructed 1900 by Frank Matcham.
Grade 11*. The next door to the theatre
THE WHITE SWAN Public House (now a Wetherspoons) C1900 by A H Bone. Neo Tudor Jacobean style.
[Interesting carvings on the façade]
Retrace
steps to Guildhall Square and to the WAR MEMORIAL. Guildhall Square Cenotaph.
1921 with additional plaques C1946, by J
S Gibson and W S A Gordon, Samuel
Salter and Charles Jagger. Grade
11. Through the arch under the railway into VICTORIA PARK. Laid out 1878.
Contains monument to Admiral Napier 1868 listed Grade 11, and ‘mini Chinese
Temple’ with bell commemorating HMS Orlando 1902. Centenary Fountain listed
Grade 11.
Take
a look at the exterior of the CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST (RC).
1877-81 by J Crawley, 1881-96 by J Hanson and 1906 by Canon Alexandra Scoles. Restored after
bomb damage 1945-50. Reordered 1971. In Decorated style, red brick with stone
dressings. Grade 11. [Interior is worth a look at a later date]
Depending
upon time and after discussion finish the walk here or continue into City
Centre looking at interesting buildings along the way and finishing by the QUEEN
ELIZABETH JUBILEE FOUNTAIN. 1977 with Heraldic Beasts.
Possible
option to visit a hidden gem in Portsmouth (but subject to it being open) a
short walk to the very interesting CHURCH
OF ST AGATHA. 1893-1895 by J H Ball.
Red brick in Flemish bond. Style of Romanesque Basilica, partly demolished for
road construction in 1964, reopened in 1994 after restoration. Grade 11*.
14.00.
Walk finishes. Possible coffee break if one has not been taken during the walk
- a chance to review what has been seen and photographed during the day.
