It's Your History

“Sickly, damp, aguish and altogether unwholesome” was the perceived view of Portsmouth that this early guide hastens to dispel. Describing it as “of the utmost importance to the Nation” the author describes the town and its surrounding area, giving the historical background where known. In the author’s own words, the guide is interspersed with many useful, curious and entertaining particulars. (64 images) 
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“The Centre of the Nation’s Marine Empire and so highly distinguished as an object of individual curiosity…..(that it) must affect the breast of every Englishman.” So reads the Preface to this remarkably full guide to the history, geography and social situation of Portsmouth as it was at the turn of the eighteenth Century. Included is a fully detailed descriptive tour of the Dockyard. Departure times and destinations of Coaches, Wagons, Packet Boats and Vessels are shown. “The salubrity of the air around Portesmouth is evident from the lack of reptiles in the vicinity."(135 images) 
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This is the first “Guide to Portsmouth” known to be in existence. Printed in 1775 and describing the town as “one of the most pleasant, neat and healthy towns in the kingdom”, it gives a full description of Portsmouth and its surrounding area. The Isle of Wight, where the author comments on the large number of exotic birds nesting on the cliffs is also described. Details of the times of Stage Coaches, the London Mail and the charges for bathing (nine pence with a guide and six pence without) give a delightful glimpse into a world long gone.(93 images) 
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This Portsmouth Guide, published by Hollingsworth (of the “Promenade Rooms, Southsea Beach”) is an extremely detailed description of the town, made easier to read by the adoption of the letter “s” throughout rather than the previously used “f”. A comprehensive history of the area, starting with the Saxon Chronicles of AD 501 makes up half of the publication, the remainder being a description of the architectural and social structure of the town and its adjacent areas. Details of the local stagecoach timetables are given as are the times of local ship sailings and the “Fine Weather Fares”(193 images) 
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“Portsmouth, which as a port and arsenal, is of such vast importance to the Nation, has many charms to recommend it to those who wish for a relaxation from their usual pursuits, or for recruiting their health; whilst nature has been very profuse, the hand of art has done much, to improve the delightful scenery that every where abounds, and from its sheltered situation the air is rendered salubrious and renovating. Independent of its own immediate attractions, the surrounding country stands unrivalled; the pleasant excursions that may be daily to the towns and villages in the neighbourhood, by land or water, greatly contribute to render Portsmouth a place of fashionable resort. “ (Hollingsworth, Promenade Rooms, Southsea Beach; And High-street, Portsmouth”) 
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The Southsea and Portsmouth Guide 1929-1930 With the Neighbouring District This Pictorial and Descriptive Guide to Southsea, and Portsmouth from 1929-1930 with the neighbouring district is packed with local information and photographs. The numerous steamer trips from the Harbour station, the Clarence and South Parade Piers are mentioned, as are the fares, highlights of the trips and route notes. As well as pedestrians, cyclists and motors, the Floating bridge from Point, at the end of Broad Street also carried flocks of sheep, herds of cows and an occasional caravan. Included are maps of Portsmouth and Southsea, The Isle of Wight and a chart of the Solent, along with a Yachting in the Solent section. Descriptions of many walks in the surrounding area with maps and sites to see are also included along with contemporary advertisements which include White Star offering a return ocean fare of 38 pounds to the USA. The Where to Stay, Hotel, Hydro, and Boarding House Guides cover the rest of Britain as well as the local area.(259 images) 
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