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Portsmouth is not listed in the Domesday book, although the settlements that were to later combine to form areas of Portsmouth are detailed. Portsmouth's history as a significant naval location began in 1194 when Richard the Lionheart summoned a fleet and army to Portsmouth. 6 years later, King John established a permanent naval base at Portsmouth to further his aim to invade Normandy. Thus the seeds were sown that initiated the transformation of Portsmouth from a collection of small hamlets to the thriving centre of naval activity it is today.
The most ancient part of Portsmouth surviving today is the appropriately named Old Portsmouth, located just a stone's throw from the modern naval base. The tip of Old Portsmouth is known as Portsmouth Point or “Spice Island”, the latter name derived from the area's connection with the Caribbean spice trade. Located outside the boundaries of Portsmouth, Spice Island was technically outside the jurisdiction of the law, with access controlled by a moat and gateway. As a result of its unique legal position, the area was famous for lewd behaviour and houses of ill repute, making it a popular attraction for sailors berthed at port.
Portsmouth's role as a major naval base meant it suffered heavy bombing during both the first and second world wars. While the bombing of Portsmouth during the blitz of World War 2 is well known, it is less well known that the city was also bombed by Zeppelin during World War 1. The extent of the bombing in Portsmouth necessitated substantial reconstruction in the years following 1945, and today the redevelopment of Portsmouth continues apace.
Portsmouth has seen significant urban redevelopment in recent years, the most project being Gunwharf Quays and the Spinnaker Tower. Located on the old site of HMS Nelson, the area has been transformed into a modern and vibrant shopping centre. The key feature of Gunwharf Keys is Spinnaker Tower, a 170m tower, the tallest accessible structure in the United Kingdom to be found outside of London. It's observation deck offers a 320° view of Portsmouth and the surrounding area for up to 37km on a clear day. As is mandatory for any viewing deck of this nature, the Spinnaker Tower offers a glass-floored viewing area for the brave of heart.
The redevelopment of Portsmouth has not been without its controversies. 2004 saw the demolition of the Tricorn Centre, originally built in the mid-1960s in the Brutalist style. Despite being a building whose charms were an acquired taste (in 2001, listeners of Radio 4 voted it the most hated building in Britain), it was nonetheless seen as a key example of Brutalist architecture in the United Kingdom. For this reason, attempts had been made over the years to have the structure accorded listed status, but ultimately this campaign proved unsuccessful.
Given its naval history, it is unsurprising that many of the tourist attractions to be found at Portsmouth have a naval theme. Parts of the historic dockyard are open to the public where several key ships can be found. Guided tours of H.M.S Warrior, Britain's first iron-clad warship, and H.M.S Victory, Nelson's flagship are on offer. Visitors can also view the remains of the 16th century warship, the Mary Rose, raised from the seabed in 1982. A short distance along the sea-front can be found Southsea Castle, one of Henry VIII's Device Forts, from where he witnessed the disastrous sinking of the Mary Rose. Moving forward in time, the events of Operation Overlord are displayed in the D-Day Museum, featuring the Overlord Embroidery, a modern equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Portsmouth is well served in terms of travel connections. The city has two mainline rail stations, with trains running directly to London's Waterloo station. By road, Portsmouth is accessed via the M275, a branch of the M27 that extends in to Portsmouth itself. Southampton Airport can be found around 30 minutes drive to the west, providing an option for visitors arriving to the area by air. For those wishing to visit further afield, the Isle of Wight is easily accessible via both ferry and hovercraft. The hovercraft provides a particularly suitable means of accessing the Isle of Wight for an impromptu visit, with the crossing from Southsea to Ryde taking just 10 minutes with no need to book in advance. Finally, the continental ferry port links the city with various ports in north-west France, northern Spain and the Channel Islands.