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.
We offer walking 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.
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!
Please note: the tours do not enter the Historic Dockyard, go on its ships, or visit the Spinnaker Tower.
Tours depart from the Mudlarks (girl and man) statue 30 metres outside the entrance to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. During summer a Portsmouth Of the Past banner/ A board is close by. Tour guides normally wear union jack waistcoats or carry a union jack umbrella so you can't miss us!.
Just outside the historic dockyard, also known as Devil's Acre, reflecting its history of drinking, & pressgangs.
See this magnificant ship from 1860
The oldest dock area from the 13th century with a monument to Britain's greatest engineer
Portsmouth's oldest commercial area from the 14th century.
The entertainment centre of Portsmouth for over 600 years!
See the Solent and hear the story of the Ghost Ship!
The cathedral of the Sea, started in the 13th Century and finished in 1990s!
Finish your tour with a coffee, glass or wine or delicious food
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).