Coast

Portsmouth has been a thriving garrison town for a long time - it began life in 1180 when wealthy Norman merchant, Jean de Gisor decided it was the perfect place to start a town and harbour.

The cathedral comes from humble beginnings - a small chapel was originally built here - it became a parish church in the 14th century which was enlarged into the cathedral from 1927 onwards.

The fortified military post was occupied by thousands of military troops in the 1680's who spent many an evening in the Red Lion Inn which sat slap bang up against the small parish Church.

Portsmouth Cathedral

In 1685 the church and pub came to blows after a group of Irish troops rolled out of the alehouse into the church's Sunday service, where the congregation were mid-hymn, and fired some shots.

The soldiers had come to Portsmouth with the last Catholic King of England, James II who'd had to flee England for France - he had hoped that as fellow Catholics, they would remain loyal to him in Portsmouth.

Unfortunately with the King out of the country, the soldiers weren't getting paid properly so they decided to go on the rampage in the High Street - starting with the little church.

The riot led to a major change in the way the soldiers lived in the city.  At that time they were taken in as lodgers by locals (who had no choice in the matter).  After the riot the soldiers were moved into barracks.

In a grave within the cathedral lies the body of an unknown sailor from the Mary Rose. He was brought here in 1984 after the famous wreck was discovered and raised off Portsmouth in 1982.

Continue the walk to the roofless Garrison Church - a chilling reminder of how Portsmouth suffered in the Second World War...