Ramparts set to offer Coronation exploration

By Connor Steel

LOCAL RESIDENTS have been invited to explore the Historic Ramparts in Priddy’s Hard over the upcoming Coronation weekend as organisers confirmed further details of the site’s open day on Sunday, May 7; which will further include military additions to mark this historic Royal event in Westminster Abbey the previous day.

The ramparts were constructed during the eighteenth century and were part of the ‘Gosport Lines’; adding to defences across the region. Priddy’s Hard was further used as a gunpowder storage facility with barrels also moved from the Square Tower; a nearby fort being armed with fourteen 18-pounder guns by the early 1850s.

Visitors can able to walk around the ramparts site between 10am and 5pm next Sunday as the area hosts an open day, which has been organised by the Portsmouth and Gosport History Group. It follows a similar event held last year that saw one thousand visitors in just five hours and was led by volunteers throughout this day.

Everybody will be able to watch performances from dedicated living history groups, who will showcase crafts with interactive displays and demonstrations. There is further an opportunity to explore the selection of WW2 equipment, guns and an archive gallery; which can be seen at regular intervals around this visitor route map.

Activities have also been arranged to mark the Coronation of King Charles III with special gun salutes taking place at both 12pm and 3pm. These will be followed by a musket firing demonstration to be held at 12:30pm and 3:30pm; whilst a cannon salute and flag ceremony at 4:40pm is scheduled to conclude the celebrations.

The whole day is completely free for everybody and there is limited parking nearby the site entrance; with all visitors also encouraged to use the E1 bus route when possible. Suitable footwear should be worn due to an occasional unevenness of pavements and certain areas of the historic ramparts that are able to be explored.

For information on the Historic Ramparts or the Portsmouth and Gosport History Group, visitors are urged to visit this website link. Financial donations are welcomed to support the ongoing projects around Priddy Hard.

PICTURED BY PORTSMOUTH NAVAL BASE PROPERTY TRUST: Historic Ramparts will soon be open for visitors to explore at their 2023 open day in Priddy’s Hard, which will coincide with the Coronation weekend.