Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth, UK, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

Portsmouth Guildhall is a Victorian civic building on Guildhall Square in Portsmouth, built as the town hall and now best known as a concert and event venue. Its columned front and tall tower make it one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city centre. It is also an easy place to start exploring the streets around it.

The story behind it

The Guildhall was designed as the town hall for Portsmouth and completed in the late 19th century, at a time when the naval port was growing fast and wanted a civic building to match. Its grand classical style was meant to show the confidence of the town. Portsmouth did not become a city until 1926, so the building served the borough for many years before that.

The Second World War left a lasting mark. Portsmouth was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Britain because of its naval dockyard, and the Guildhall was gutted by fire during an air raid in January 1941. It was rebuilt after the war and reopened in 1959. Today it works as a performance venue, and it still stands at the heart of the city's civic life.

What to look for

• The tall clock tower rises above the roofline and is visible from many streets nearby, so it works as a handy landmark for finding your way.
• The classical portico with its columns, at the front of the building, shows the grand civic style of the Victorian era.
• The stonework is worth a close look, because the rebuilding after the 1941 fire is part of the story the building tells.
• Guildhall Square in front gives you the best view of the whole facade and shows how the building sits among the newer buildings around it.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 20 minutes to see the outside and the square. If you have a ticket for a show, plan extra time to enjoy the venue.
• You can see the exterior at any time. Access inside depends on events, so check current opening hours and the programme before you go.
• Late afternoon light is kind to the facade, and the building looks different again when it is lit up in the evening.
• The square is close to Portsmouth and Southsea station, and Victoria Park is only a short walk away, so it fits easily into a wider stroll around the centre.

See it on a quest

The Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Portsmouth, UK passes the Guildhall as one stop on a longer walk through the area. You reach it on foot, the app tells you about the building as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It suits anyone who likes a mystery theme with their sightseeing. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.