2024 Events

IN PERSON Guided Walk Ann’s Hill Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3JX Enjoy a guided walk around Ann’s Hill old Victorian cemetery. You’ll learn about its history, the meaning of symbology on the headstones, the layout and the purpose of the buildings, the importance of the landscaping, and the hidden meaning of the flora in this […]

IN PERSON Guided Walk The Pump House Cafe, Cooperage Green, Weevil Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AX Enjoy a guided walk of Royal Clarence Victualling Yard, the former supply base for the Navy. Hear about how this victualling yard developed over time from the mid-1700s, with a focus on the supply of food and drink to […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS Enjoy this talk on the history of the Gosport Lines and its defences through the years. Your Speaker, James, will explain the development of the lines, including aspects such as… * Background history as to why […]

In Person Display Activity Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS The surprising story of the many animals who supported the armed forces throughout history and in so doing connected us with people and places across the globe. As the Royal Navy and the Army travelled around […]

In Person Talk Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS How did Gosport smell 50, 100, or 150 years ago? Why are smells, perfumes, odours, and fragrances so evocative? In this light-hearted session, Peter Cardy invites you to remember once-familiar smells like Jeyes Fluid, Lifebuoy Soap, town […]

In Person Guided Walk Meet at the Cricket Pavilion, Privett Park, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3S Discover the beauty and history of Ann’s Hill Cemetery, and explore The Hermitage Wildlife Garden on this circular guided walk. Starting from Privett Park, your enthusiastic Guide will lead you through Anns Hill Cemetery, where you will pass by graves […]

In Person Guided Walk Alver Valley Garden Centre car park, off Barrington Close, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 8AS Enjoy this guided walk, exploring the historic importance of Rowner and Alver Valley to the Gosport area. Can you learn over 5000 years of local history in just 90 minutes? We think not. But your Guide, James, will […]

Crescent Garden, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2DH Discover the gardens’ significance to the building of Angleseyville, how this historic Regency garden fell into abandonment, and the subsequent resurrection to its former glory with wonderful planting. This garden has been cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Friends of Crescent Garden, for over 30 […]

IN PERSON Guided Tour St Marks Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2DA Join a guided tour of St Mark’s Cemetery, covering the history of the site of St Mark’s church and some of the famous people buried there. You’ll learn about the influence of Robert Cruickshank in the building of St Mark’s church as part […]

IN PERSON Guided Walk Main Gate of Haslar Hospital site (Guides will direct you to St Lukes Church), Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2FB Learn of Haslar Hospital’s history and current-day development on this tour of the grounds and Church. Royal Haslar Hospital was the first naval hospital in the country, receiving its first patients […]

In Person Guided Tour ARP Bunker, The Avenue, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2JU Visit the WWII Air Raid Precaution Building, which was used as a headquarters for various organisations during the Second World War. Known locally as the ‘Bunker’, this building is currently used by the Historical Diving Society to store items usually held in The […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Holy Trinity Church, The Capper Room, Trinity Green, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1HL This illustrated talk will shine a light on how much Gosport has changed over the last 80 years. Local historian, photographer, collector, and speaker Peter Greenaway will lead you through the times of Gosport’s past during his fascinating talk […]

In Person Talk Onboard the Princess Anne at Hovercraft Museum, Marine Parade West, Lee on Solent, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9NS  Journey through the intriguing history of hovercrafts at the world’s only Hovercraft Museum. Learn about their creation, the innovators who brought them to life, and the obstacles they faced. Explore the diverse and unexpected applications […]

IN PERSON Guided Tour St. Faiths Church, Victoria Square, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9NF Enjoy a guided tour around Victoria Square to hear the intertwined history of this Victorian new town and St Faith’s Church. Prepare to be ‘wowed’ as you enter this art deco inspired grade II listed building. This tour is a wonderful introduction […]

In Person Guided Walk Meet by dial sculpture and memorial, Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1RR Visit some of Gosport’s lesser-known but glorious gardens on this circular guided walk, laced with lots of snippets of local history along the route. Starting at the top of the High Street, you’ll be guided past a fine George […]

In Person Guided Tour Institute of Naval Medicine, Crescent Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2DL An introduction to the history of INM and the Historic Collections displayed in Monckton House, a Grade II listed building. After a brief presentation, you will see displays of heritage materials related to the history and practice of naval medicine. The […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Holy Trinity Church, The Capper Room, Trinity Green, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1HW For all you Gibraltar lovers, this is an opportunity to catch up and reconnect with the latest developments from the Rock! The Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society visit Gosport to present a light-hearted, fun look at some aspects of […]

In Person Illustrated Talk FirstLight Café Hub, 68 High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1DR The Pompey Pals Charity commemorates local area people who have served in our armed forces, or who have lost their lives as a result of enemy action from 1914 to the present day. In this talk, they tell the stories of […]

In Person Guided Walk The White Hart Pub, 195 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1SE Discover the story of Gosport Park and the area on this circular guided walk, laced with lots of snippets of local history along the route. Your Guide will lead you past the sites of Hasleworth Castle and Gosport’s velodrome. You’ll […]

In Person Talk The Snape Room Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS The eldest son of a Gosport draper and his Birmingham-born wife, Arthur Upfield left Gosport in 1910 to live in Australia. He became well-known for the detective novels he wrote featuring a […]

In Person Talk FirstLight Cafe (Sharpe’s), 68 High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1DR When the Royal Navy finally introduced submarines at the turn of the 20th Century it was a revolution for the service and its new submariners, but few people know of the many years of struggle by numerous designers and inventors to make […]

In Person Guided Walk Forton Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3JP You’ll hear lots of local history snippets on this circular guided walk along the course of the old railway line from Gosport to Fort Brockhurst Station. Amongst other things pointed out along the way, you’ll hear Railway Station Master’s stories, and see former crossing gates, […]

IN PERSON Guided Tour Powder Monkey Brewery , 67 Heritage Way, Priddys hard, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4FL Enjoy an insider’s tour of the Powder Monkey Brewery and hear about the history of brewing beer and its connection to the Navy… Housed in a historic gunpowder store, learn the story behind Powder Monkey. We will take […]

IN PERSON Illustrated Talk First Light Café, 68 High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1DR Enjoy this light-hearted, musically entuned, presentation of professional photographs including the history of the site of Forton Barracks, latterly HMS St Vincent (now St Vincent College), and particularly the training the Boy Sailors endured. From 1928 to 1968, 700 Boy Sailors […]

In Person Talk Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS Berengaria of Navarre, often forgotten queen of England, forged partnerships and connections across Western Europe during her marriage and beyond. This talk explores connections, friendships, and alliances in medieval Europe. Wife of Richard I, Berengaria of Navarre’s […]

IN-PERSON Guided Tour HMS Medusa: a D Day veteran! Meet at at Marina Gate, adjacent to The Creek Restaurant, HMS Medusa, Haslar Marina, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NU Harbour Defence Motor Launch, HMS Medusa is the last of her class in sea-going condition. Medusa was a navigational leader for Omaha Beach on D-Day. Come aboard for […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Exhibition Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS Learn about the role of clandestine commandos from Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) in this exhibition with talks. Hayling COPP Heroes Memorial trustee, Andrew Griffin, brings an informative display of photos and details relating to […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS For the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, Richard M Jones brings you an illustrated talk packed with information and detail, as always, with deepest respect to those who were impacted… Richard is a well-known researcher and author, […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, The Roberts Room, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS Find out what links a World War One fighter plane, the tea that the pilot was drinking, what the Spanish Navy owes to us, and why Gosport porcelain has brought happiness to so many sailors. In […]

In Person Guided Tour HMS Sultan, Military Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3BY The Airfield Museum gives the history of the surrounding area used as an airfield from 1909-1956. Learn about the world’s first “Top Gun” establishment 1917-19, and how the ‘Gosport’ method of flying training was adopted by the world. Look out for one of […]

In Person Guided Tour HMS Sultan, Military Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3BY Explore this fascinating museum within the grounds of HMS Sultan. The Airfield Museum gives the history of the surrounding area used as an airfield from 1909-1956. Learn about the world’s first “Top Gun” establishment 1917-19, and how the ‘Gosport’ method of flying training […]

In Person Guided Tour Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3BY Enjoy a guided tour around one of the Palmerston Forts, built to defend Portsmouth from a possible French invasion… Visit the Tunnels, Caponiers, haunted Keep, and Fort Museum within the grounds of the Royal Navy training establishment HMS Sultan. Family-friendly but children must be fully supervised. Not […]

In Person Guided Tour HMS Sultan, Military Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3BY Enjoy a guided tour around the different aircraft used for training at HMS SULTAN. The types represent the different aircraft flown by the Royal Navy from the 1960s. Although many are no longer in active service, they still have a valuable role in […]

In Person   Guided Walk Meet at Car Park, Gosport Submarine Museum, Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AS Be guided through the fascinating world of the Royal Navy from below the sea and on land, during this exploration of Submarine Museum’s OPEN spaces, and hear the stories of the many pieces of maritime history you’ll […]

In Person Guided Walk Hornet Services Sailing Club, Meet by entrance to the Submarine Museum car park, Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AG Enjoy this informative guided tour of the Hornet area shoreline, soaking up the views of notable sites along the way and hearing all about their past and present purposes… During this walk, […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Holy Trinity Church, The Capper Room, Trinity Green, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1HL Stories of Asylum from WW1 was a research project that led to the writing of monologues and eventually to the birth of this novel, Emily, a historical romance set in the Portsmouth Borough Asylum. Meet the author, Christine Lawrence, […]

In Person Talk Lee Hub, 14 High Street, Lee on Solent, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9BZ Richard will call on his experience in the Royal Navy along with his detailed research into disasters at sea, to bring you this illustrated talk packed with information and detail, as always, with deepest respect to those who were impacted… […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Grand Magazine at Explosion Museum, Heritage Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LE   Passenger Transport transformed since the earliest days of the stagecoach, and this talk will focus on the history of the various routes that link different parts of Gosport, plus the vehicles, their operators and the people behind the wheel. […]

In Person Performance Gosport Museum and Art Gallery Courtyard, 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS Enjoy this premiere of a short film documentary recounting the famous 1994 Gosport Summer Festival, held over 10 days in Walpole Park. 30 years on from the 1994 Festival, David Marks’ film combines interviews, archival footage, and firsthand accounts […]

In Person The following events are all bookable through the National Museum of the Royal Navy Submarine Jolly Rogers Submarine Museum, Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport PO12 2AS September 12: Tours at 1045 & 1245 Explore the history of Jolly Roger flags, crafted and flown by submariners for over a century. Submarine Jolly Rogers tell vivid […]

IN PERSON Self Led Trail Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Green, Haslar Road, Gosport, PO12 1HL Bastion No.1 is a scheduled monument, a rare surviving section of the Gosport Defence Lines. This self-led tour enables you to explore the site, understand its history, and talk to the ‘Friends’ to learn more… This bastion is part of […]

IN PERSON   Self-led Tour Rowner Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9SU St Mary’s Church in Rowner has been a part of local history for over 1000 years. Come and visit this hidden gem, a Grade 1 Listed church. St Mary’s Church is one of the oldest buildings in this local area. The church is mentioned […]

In Person Exhibition Gosport Museum & Art Gallery (The Roberts Room), Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS This Facebook Group has over 22,000 members from near and far, all associated with Gosport in some way and loving its heritage. This display brings some of the best images from their virtual vault into hard copy for […]

IN PERSON Guided Walk 51 Clayhall Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2BB Since 1753, ‘Dead Man’s Mile’ was the much-traveled funeral procession route from Haslar RN Hospital to the nearby cemetery. This talk and guided tour explore the history and the beauty of this site… Gather in the Chapel to first enjoy a brief oral history […]

In Person Exhibition Activity Imagination Refinery, 51-52 High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1DF Exhibition of paintings and display to illustrate the experience of ragged school children and humble sailors from South Street and the lanes in Gosport town centre. See what kind of people inhabited the lower South Street slum courtyards and maze of alleyways. […]

IN PERSON Display CI Lookout Station , Beach Road Car Park , Marine Parade East, Lee-On-The-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9LA Wherever there is a National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) station, a watchkeeper will be looking out for danger and ensuring safety on the water and along the coastline. High technology and sophisticated systems such as radar and […]

IN PERSON Show / Display The Memorial Gardens, Haslar Hospital, Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2FA Visit the Memorial Garden at Haslar to find out about the historic past of the garden and the present-day work of horticultural therapy for veterans. The Memorial Garden at Haslar is a walled 3-acre hidden gem where healing continues […]

In Person Exhibition Rowner Youth Arts & Media Centre (AKA The Youthy), Falcon Meadows Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 8AA An exhibition of wonderful photos of the original neighbourhood being built in the 1960s Also on display will be historic maps and information on the recent archaeological findings from medieval and neolithic periods along with a […]

IN PERSON Activity The Book Shop, 142 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9DD Everything we love about Lee! Join us for children’s beach-related arts and crafts, a treasure hunt, fascinating facts about Lee, and old photos. The Book Shop is a gem in the heart of the community of Lee. There’s always so much to […]

IN PERSON Show / Display Fort Brockhurst, Gunners Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4DS For the first time, Fort Brockhurst offers displays and activities from various periods of history, in this event which spans the entire past of the fort. An action-packed event with living history displays and military reenactment filling the fort with activity and […]

In Person Display Discovery Centre, High St, Gosport PO12 1BT.  Hampshire Genealogical Society offers the opportunity to begin tracing your family history with the aid of our volunteers. They will provide an information desk where you can find out more about the society and how to get started with your family story. They ideally like […]

IN PERSON Guided Walk Meet your Guide outside The Conservative Club, 2 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NG A walk up Gosport high street talking about slavery, ghosts, suicide, baby farming, poisoning, and under the counter Victorian photography. This event is for over 18yrs only. You guide will be talking about the buildings in the […]

IN PERSON Show / Display The Hovercraft Museum, Marine Parade West, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9NS The Hovercraft Museum’s collection is unique, irreplaceable, and inspiring, including five craft listed on The National Historic Ships register. It’s a great visit for fact-loving enthusiasts and also families who just wanna have fun… Situated on a Transport Heritage Site, […]

IN PERSON Show / Display The Portsmouth Model Boat Display Team Clubhouse (by entrance gate), Explosion Museum, Heritage Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LE NOTICE: Weather attacks us on Sun 8th! The promised re-enactment WILL NOT TAKE PLACE THEN as it will be too wet and the models will be damaged. Instead, visitors can see the models […]

IN PERSON Illustrated Talk The Alverbank Hotel, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2QT Enjoy this illustrated talk on the history of pubs throughout the Gosport town area, those no longer standing and some still serving beers… How many will you remember? In its third year, the Gosport Pubs: Past & Present talk details the […]

In Person Talk The Alverbank Hotel, off Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2QT The National Coastwatch Institution was created 30 years ago to provide Visual and Radio support to the Maritime Coastguard Agency through watch towers around the coast of the United Kingdom. This illustrated talk covers the history and function of Coastwatch and […]

In Person Illustrated Talk Alverbank Hotel, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2QT Richard M Jones reveals the stories behind some of the shipping disasters in the Solent. It will appeal to all those with an interest in shipping and shipwrecks, as well as those interested in the history of this part of the south […]

IN PERSON Self-led Tour Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Green, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1HL If you have only seen the rather stern Victorian-looking red-brick exterior of the church, then the elegance and simplicity of the interior will come as a complete – and delightful – surprise. The church has probably the most beautiful interior in the […]

IN PERSON Activity The Old House at Home, 92 Priory Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LG A heritage quiz largely set around local history. A quiz to suit everyone interested in the history of Hardway, including its important role in the lead-up to D-Day and beyond. The evening’s quiz will also include interesting trivia about other […]

IN PERSON Talk Alverstoke Parish Centre, Green Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2ET The story of Thomas Walpole, former Rector of St. Mary Alverstoke, and his relationship with the First Prime Minister of Great Britain… Did you know that Walpole Road and Walpole Park are named after Thomas Walpole (1805 – 1881)? He was an interesting […]

In Person Activity The Slaughterhouse, Royal Clarence Marina, Weevil Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AX The event will showcase the plans to revitalise this historic building into a vibrant cradle for creative expression and community engagement. It will include an exhibition of those plans and the building’s rich history, various partners, Artisan demonstrations, and a print-making […]

In Person Activity On the beach close to Jolly Roger Pub, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LQ Try your hand at shipwreck archaeology on the beach! Under guidance from the Nautical Archaeology Society learn how to record a real shipwreck, then use that information to discover the history of the vessel when it was still afloat… At […]

IN PERSON Show / Display Presentation The Ballroom, Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3PX Be transported back to the time of silent films with the history and sound of this unique Compton Cinema Organ, usually hidden away behind the stage! .. The Compton Cinema Organ has been in the Ballroom at Thorngate Hall […]

IN PERSON Show / Display Explosion! the Museum of Naval Firepower, Royal Naval Armament Depot, Priddys Hard, Heritage Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LE The Provincial Society again presents a gathering of the famous green and cream buses of the Provincial Bus Company, within the grounds of Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower. Come and join us […]

IN PERSON Activity The Fighting Cocks, 78 Clayhall Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AJ Test your knowledge with this fun and informative multi-round pub quiz, revolving around local history. It is taking place in one of the oldest public houses in Gosport, established in 1737 during the reign of King George II. Come along, form a […]

Digital Enjoy this short light-hearted recording of memories of growing up in Gosport by Peter Cardy. Sit back in the comfort of your home, and just click the video below when you are ready to hear Peter’s memories and perhaps have a few of your own… Event Times Available anytime Booking Details Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking […]

Digital Enjoy this short light-hearted recording of memories of growing up in Gosport, by Peter Cardy. Sit back in the comfort of your home, and just click the video below when you are ready to hear Peter’s memories and perhaps have a few of your own… Event Times Available anytime Booking Details Pre-booking requirement:  Pre-booking […]