Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour: 900 years of secrets
Medieval lanes and a lawless past: what the history books leave out
An infernal den of Diabolical Demons is a 90-minute walking tour of Old Portsmouth, Southsea and Portsmouth's medieval core, led by a local guide in English who reveals the hidden characters and dark stories behind the city's 900 years. The tour covers the original entrance to Old Portsmouth, the connection to Thomas Becket's chapel, the medieval hot walls, and the myths and realities of Portsmouth Point: the parts the blue plaques and standard histories don't mention. Minimum age 12. The route includes some tight lanes and is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.
1h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Old Portsmouth's dark history
- Enter Old Portsmouth's original entrance
- Discover Portsmouth's beginnings and Thomas Becket chapel
- Learn about Portsmouth's open air church
- Explore medieval origins and 'hot walls'
- Uncover myths and realities of Portsmouth Point
- Hear history behind current fun and frolics
The Experience
The tour starts at Old Portsmouth's only originally located entrance, the gateway to what the guide calls an infernal den of diabolical demons. From there, the walk traces the real beginnings of Portsmouth back to a chapel connected to Thomas Becket, then moves through the medieval streets where the hot walls earned their name. A local guide born and bred in Portsmouth leads the way, pulling apart the myths that have built up around the city's most famous sites: Nelson, the rogues and spies, the women who lived here, Jack Nastyface, and the lawless amusement of Portsmouth Point.
The 90 minutes cover ground that shifts between the frightening and the frolicking. You'll see where an open-air church once stood, walk past the tight medieval lanes, and hear about the dangers and joys that made Portsmouth Point notorious. The guide's angle is what separates this from a standard heritage walk: the focus is on the characters and capers, the coffee houses where espionage happened, the paupers and princes, and the stories that didn't make it into the official record. Dogs on leads are welcome, and the route is wheelchair accessible.
What’s included
- 90-minute walking tour with a local guide.
- access to Old Portsmouth's medieval streets, the hot walls, and the sites connected to Thomas Becket's chapel.
- stories of Portsmouth's hidden characters and history not found in standard guidebooks.
Operated by An infernal den of Diabolical Demons
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you'll follow the full commentary and the local context without translation: suited to anyone who wants the stories and the dark humor, not just the landmarks.
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Top questions
What is the real history behind Portsmouth Point that makes it so notorious?
Portsmouth Point was both a place of genuine danger and wild amusement: the tour reveals the myths and the actual history of what made it lawless, separating the frightening reality from the joyous legend that grew up around it.
How long does the walking tour take and what ground does it cover?
The tour runs 90 minutes and covers Old Portsmouth, Southsea and Portsmouth's medieval core, starting at the original entrance to Old Portsmouth and moving through the hot walls, the open-air church site, and the streets connected to Thomas Becket's chapel.
Who was Jack Nastyface and why does the guide mention him?
Jack Nastyface is one of the historical characters the guide brings to life: part of the hidden stories of Portsmouth's past that the standard history books and blue plaques don't explain.
Is this tour suitable if I have limited mobility or fitness?
The route is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, though it includes some tight medieval lanes and is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Dogs on leads are welcome.
What language is the guide delivered in and can children join?
The guide speaks English and is led by a local Portmuthian. The minimum age is 12.
Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour: 900 years of secrets
1h 30m · EN
from £ 12.50 per person
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