Fort Blockhouse, Portsmouth

Name: Fort Blockhouse
Address: Portsmouth, United Kingdom

#65 among attractions in Portsmouth

Forts and castles

Gallery (2)

Map

Map

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Facts and practical information

Fort Blockhouse is a military establishment in Gosport, Hampshire, England, and the final version of a complicated site. At its greatest extent in the 19th century, the structure was part of a set of fortifications which encircled much of Gosport. It is surrounded on three sides by water and provides the best view of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. It is unique in two respects. Firstly, it was built over five centuries from its original construction as a blockhouse in 1431 to the final addition of submarine base structures in the mid 1960s. Secondly, it is thought to be the oldest fortified position in the United Kingdom that is still in active military use though coastal fortification was abolished nationally in 1956, and it has been used only for medical purposes since 2020. ()

Built: 1431 (593 years ago)Coordinates: 50°47'24"N, 1°6'50"W

Address

Portsmouth United Kingdom

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Day trips

Fort Blockhouse – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Spinnaker Tower, Clarence Pier, HMS Victory, Gunwharf Quays.

0.5 miNE
Sail-like tower with panoramic views
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
12 min walk • The Spinnaker Tower is a striking landmark in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and an emblem of the city's maritime heritage. This sleek, sail-shaped structure soars to a height of 170 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the historic Portsmouth Harbour, the...
0.6 miSE
Amusement, Amusement park, Piers and boardwalks
Clarence Pier, Portsmouth
16 min walk • Nestled along the southern coast of England, Clarence Pier stands as a vibrant hub of entertainment in the city of Portsmouth. This seaside amusement park, with its array of rides, arcades, and attractions, offers a delightful escape for families, tourists,...
0.8 miN
Ship, Specialty museum, Museum
HMS Victory, Portsmouth
22 min walk • HMS Victory is an emblematic figurehead of British maritime history, residing in the historic dockyard of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. This majestic ship, launched in 1765, is the world's oldest naval ship still in commission and is most renowned for her role as Lord...
0.5 miNE
Shopping, Shopping centre, Cinema
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
14 min walk • Gunwharf Quays is a shopping centre located in the Portsea area of the city of Portsmouth in England. It was constructed in the early 21st century on the site of what had once been HM Gunwharf, Portsmouth.
0.4 miE
Place of worship since the 12th-century
Portsmouth Cathedral, Portsmouth
11 min walk • The Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, commonly known as Portsmouth Cathedral, is an Anglican cathedral church in the centre of Old Portsmouth in Portsmouth, England.
0.4 miE
Church, Gothic architecture
Royal Garrison Church, Portsmouth
12 min walk • Domus Dei was an almshouse and hospice at Old Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom. It is now also known as the Royal Garrison Church and is an English Heritage property and a Grade II listed building.
0.8 miN
Museum, Military museum, Historical place
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth
20 min walk • Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is an area of HM Naval Base Portsmouth which is open to the public; it contains several historic buildings and ships.
~1180 ftE
Forts and castles, Historical place, Military base
Round Tower, Portsmouth
6 min walk • The Round Tower is a fortification at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour. It is a Grade I listed building.
0.8 miN
Museum
National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth
21 min walk • The National Museum of the Royal Navy was created in early 2009 to act as a single non-departmental public body for the museums of the Royal Navy. With venues across the United Kingdom, the museums detail the history of the Royal Navy operating on and under the sea, on land and in the air.
1 miNE
Theater, Concerts and shows, Performing arts
New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
26 min walk • The New Theatre Royal is a Victorian Grade II* listed theatre in the heart of Portsmouth, England, with a capacity of 667. The theatre building was constructed in 1854 as Landport Hall. It was converted to a theatre two years later. It was rebuilt in 1884 by Charles J. Phipps and again in 1900 by Frank Matcham.
~1720 ftE
Forts and castles
Square Tower, Portsmouth
9 min walk • The Square Tower is one of the oldest parts of the fortifications of Portsmouth, England. It is a Grade I listed building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Fort Blockhouse?

Nearby attractions include Portsmouth Point, Portsmouth (6 min walk), Round Tower, Portsmouth (6 min walk), Haslar Marina, Portsmouth (7 min walk), HMS Alliance, Gosport (7 min walk).

How to get to Fort Blockhouse by public transport?

The nearest stations to Fort Blockhouse:

Bus

Gosport Bus Station (9 min walk)
The Hard Interchange (16 min walk)

Ferry

Gosport Ferry Terminal • Lines: Gosport-Portsmouth Hard (14 min walk)
Portsmouth Car Ferry terminal • Lines: Portsmouth - Fishbourne (vehicle ferry) (10 min walk)

Train

Portsmouth Harbour (14 min walk)
Portsmouth and Southsea (30 min walk)