Frequently Asked Questions about Portchester

Common questions answered

Answers to the most common questions about Portchester, Hampshire.

What is Portchester Castle?

Portchester Castle is a medieval castle built within the walls of a Roman fort on the northern shore of Portsmouth Harbour. The Roman fort, known as Portus Adurni, was constructed in the late third century AD as part of the Saxon Shore defences. It is the best-preserved Roman fort in northern Europe, with walls standing almost to their full height on all four sides. A Norman keep was added by Henry I in the early twelfth century, and Richard II built a palace within the inner bailey in the 1390s. The castle was used as a prisoner of war camp during the Napoleonic Wars. It is managed by English Heritage and open to the public.

Is Portchester in Fareham or Portsmouth?

Portchester is in the Borough of Fareham, not the City of Portsmouth. This sometimes causes confusion because Portchester sits on Portsmouth Harbour and has a Portsmouth postcode (PO16). The village is governed by Fareham Borough Council and falls within Hampshire County Council's area. Portsmouth is a separate unitary authority across the harbour to the east. Portchester's eastern boundary adjoins Paulsgrove, which is within the city of Portsmouth.

What postcode is Portchester?

Portchester uses the PO16 postcode district, which is part of the Portsmouth (PO) postcode area. The main postcodes in the village run from PO16 8 (western end, Cams Alders) through PO16 9 (central, eastern and harbour areas). Despite having a Portsmouth postcode, Portchester is administered by Fareham Borough Council.

How do I get to Portchester?

By train, Portchester has its own station on the line between Portsmouth and Southampton, operated by South Western Railway. Services run regularly in both directions. By car, the village is accessed from the A27 (which passes just to the south) or junction 11 of the M27. There is limited parking near the castle on Castle Street. By bus, services connect Portchester with Fareham town centre and Portsmouth. The Fareham to Portsmouth coastal bus route passes through the village.

How much does it cost to visit Portchester Castle?

Portchester Castle is managed by English Heritage and charges an entry fee for non-members. English Heritage members enter free. Current prices are listed on the English Heritage website. The castle is open daily in summer and on selected days in winter. The outer bailey, including the approach to St Mary's Church, is sometimes accessible outside ticketed hours, but the keep and inner bailey require a ticket. Children's prices and family tickets are available.

What is the population of Portchester?

Portchester has a population of approximately 18,000 people. The village grew substantially after the Second World War, when housing estates were built on farmland to the south and west. Before the war, Portchester was a small village of only a few thousand residents. Today it functions as a suburb within the Borough of Fareham, though it retains a distinct identity and community feel.

What schools are in Portchester?

Portchester has two primary schools: Castle Primary School on Cornaway Lane and Wicor Primary School in the western part of the village. For secondary education, students typically attend schools in Fareham, including Cams Hill School (which is just over the boundary in Fareham). There are no secondary schools within Portchester itself.

Where can I park in Portchester?

There is limited on-street parking along Castle Street near the castle, and a small car park is available for castle visitors. The village centre has some on-street parking along West Street, though it can be busy. Portchester Railway Station has a small car park. Side streets in the residential areas generally have unrestricted parking, but spaces fill up quickly near the centre during peak times. There is no large public car park in the village.

Why is Portchester's Roman fort so well preserved?

Portchester's Roman walls survive to near their original height because the site was continuously occupied and maintained after the Romans left. The Saxons used the fort as a settlement, the Normans built a castle within it, and subsequent generations continued to find the walls useful as a defensive enclosure. Unlike many Roman sites, the stone was never robbed for building material because it was always in active use. The walls are built of flint rubble with bonding courses of Roman tile, which has proved extremely durable.

Were prisoners really held at Portchester Castle?

Yes. During the wars with France between 1794 and 1814, Portchester Castle was used as a prisoner of war camp. Thousands of French, Dutch and Spanish prisoners were held in wooden buildings erected in the outer bailey. At its peak, around 7,000 men were imprisoned here in cramped conditions. The prisoners carved graffiti into the castle walls, some of which is still visible today. The castle was one of several prisoner of war sites around Portsmouth Harbour during the Napoleonic period.

How old is St Mary's Church?

St Mary's Church dates from about 1133, when it was built as the church of an Augustinian priory founded within the castle walls. The canons moved to Southwick around 1145, but the church remained as the parish church of Portchester. The Norman arches, carved font and much of the original fabric survive. The church was restored in 1888 but retains its Romanesque character. It has been in continuous use as a parish church for nearly 900 years.

Which council do Portchester residents pay council tax to?

Portchester residents pay council tax to Fareham Borough Council. The village falls within the Portchester East and Portchester West wards of the borough. Hampshire County Council provides county-level services such as education and highways. Portchester also has a parish-level Portchester Civic Society, though the parish council function is handled through the borough.

When can I see Brent geese at Portchester?

Brent geese arrive at Portsmouth Harbour in October and stay through to March. They migrate from their breeding grounds in Arctic Russia and Siberia. The mudflats along the Portchester shoreline, particularly around Wicor and The Seaward, are important feeding grounds. The geese feed on eelgrass and algae exposed at low tide. At high tide they often rest on playing fields and recreation grounds inland. Portchester is one of the best places on the south coast to see large flocks of dark-bellied Brent geese at close range.

Did Henry V really sail from Portchester?

Henry V gathered his army and fleet at Portchester and the surrounding area in 1415 before the campaign that led to the Battle of Agincourt. The castle served as a mustering point and the harbour was filled with transport ships. While the fleet sailed from several points around Portsmouth Harbour, Portchester Castle was one of the key assembly locations. Henry is believed to have stayed in the castle during the preparations.