Pubs, cash machines, petrol stations, shops, history - the full visitors guide on Portchester
Welcome to Portchester - and here’s a guide to the neighbourhood for those attending the Lee Rigby Memorial Cup event.
Spectators are coming from far and wide to attend this much anticipated charity football event at The OnSite Group Stadium - the home of AFC Portchester.
Tickets have been dispatched to all corners of the UK, with some visitors travelling from as far away as the north of Scotland to see former Rangers and Pompey players in action.
But what about Portchester - the community hosting the event? Here’s a quick guide to the village and some of the facilities you may be looking for on the day.
PORTCHESTER - A BRIEF HISTORY
Portchester was once a small village but today it has around 18,000 residents and is located between Portsmouth and Fareham on the northern shoreline of Portsmouth Harbour.
It is best known for its castle - started when the Romans built a fort here in the late third century.
The Saxons added buildings to the site and King Henry I added the castle in 1120. The village really began to thrive during The Hundred Years War between England and France in the 14th and 15th centuries.
However, the introduction of gunpowder and canons in warfare - as well as the silting up of Portsmouth Harbour which meant Portchester was no longer a viable port - meant the importance of the castle diminished.
From the 1660s onwards the castle’s main role appeared to be housing prisoners of war, with Dutch, Spanish and French prisoners all being housed on the site.
In the 19th century Portchester had a thriving industry making clay pipes for smoking, and the railway station was added in 1848.
The population of the village was still less than 1,000 in 1911 but grew rapidly after the First World War. Today Portchester has grown into the gaps between Portsmouth in the east and Fareham in the west and forms part of the large urban area in south Hampshire, which has an overall population of around 1.5 million people.
GETTING HERE
Portchester is five minutes from the national motorway network off of junction 11 of the M27 and the A27 - the main south coast trunk road - runs through the middle of the village.
The railway station is served by South Western and Southern services to both London Waterloo and London Victoria, as well as to Southampton in the west and to Havant and Chichester in the east.
First Bus operate local bus services through Portchester, which link to Fareham, Portsmouth and Southampton.
The nearest airport is Southampton Airport - located 16 miles away along the M27, and Portsmouth Port provides ferry service links with France, the Channel Islands and Spain. There are also ferry, fastjet and hovercraft services from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight.
SHOPS
Portchester precinct is located in the centre of the village and boasts a range of shops including Tesco Express, Superdrug, Iceland, Dominos, Rowlands Pharmacy and Corals.
Local traders provide a whole range of other retail options including pet food supplies, a hardware store, pound discount shop, card shops, florists, hairdressers, car parts and accessories outlet, coffee shops, charity shops and much more besides.
As well as the Tesco Express outlet in the precinct, there are a number of convenience stores close to the stadium.
In White Hart Lane there is a Southern Co-op store and a One Stop, while the BP petrol station on the A27 has a M&S Food outlet as part of its facilities.
If you head east on the A27 from the precinct there is a Lidl store two minutes drive away and if you keep heading east after passing under the motorway bridge there is a large Tesco store on the right and further along the road an ALDI on the left.
If you follow the A27 westwards to Fareham there is a large Tesco store in the town centre and follow signs for the A32 Alton and you will come to a Sainsbury’s store in Wallington.
CASHPOINTS
There are cash points located at the BP petrol station on the A27 in Portchester. There is also one at the Tesco Express store in Portchester Precinct and at One Stop in White Hart Lane.
PETROL STATIONS
The BP petrol station on the A27 is the only one in Portchester itself. Head east along the A27 and there is a Tesco petrol station at Northharbour. Head west along the A27 to Fareham and follow signs for Alton A32 for a petrol station at Sainsbury’s.
PORTCHESTER’S PUBS
There used to be more but Portchester is still well served for pubs and bars for visitors to enjoy. Here is a brief guide to the five places you can call into for some liquid refreshment.
The Seagull - Cornaway Lane, Portchester
Large family pub which comes under the Hungry Horse brand so plenty of options for food and drink. Plenty of outside areas too and big screens for sport as well.
The Red Lion - Portchester Precinct
A Greene King pub with food and drink available throughout the day. Outside seating available too and big screens throughout the pub for live sport.
The Portcullis Taphouse - Portchester Precinct
This independant, family-run craft beer bar sells a range of craft beers, real cider, cask ales and artisan spirits and soft drinks. Outside seating also available in the precinct.
The Cormorant - Castle Street, Portchester
This local family-run pub prides itself on its home-cooked, quality food and Cask Marque Award ales. It is located in the historic original part of the village, close to Portchester Castle. Large outdoor area to enjoy too.
The Wicor Mill - White Hart Lane, Portchester
The pub’s family friendly atmosphere is perfect for catching up with friends, holding family celebrations or just enjoying a quiet coffee. The menu has plenty of traditional pub classics and there is a beer garden to the rear as well.