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Pewit Island (Portsmouth Harbour)

Hampshire geography stubsIslands of HampshirePortsmouthUninhabited islands of England
Pewit island from the top of porchester
Pewit island from the top of porchester

Pewit Island is a small island located in the north western section of Portsmouth Harbour. Historically it appears to have been connected to the mainland via a manmade shingle causeway, parts of which still exist. The island has been colonised by oak and blackthorn scrub and is home to species including sea lavender and golden samphire plants. The island is currently a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust nature reserve.In 1857 plans drawn up to improve the defences of Portsmouth included building a fortification on the island. The plans were later modified in the face of improved artillery technology and the fortification was never built.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Pewit Island (Portsmouth Harbour) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Pewit Island (Portsmouth Harbour)
Portsmouth

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Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 50.831 ° E -1.137 °
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Address

Wicor Hard


PO16 8PP Portsmouth
England, United Kingdom
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Pewit island from the top of porchester
Pewit island from the top of porchester
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Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour

Portsmouth Harbour is a 1,264.2-hectare (3,124-acre)/12.6 km2 (4.9 sq mi) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Portsmouth and Gosport in Hampshire. It is a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area. It is a large natural harbour in Hampshire, England. Geographically it is a ria: formerly it was the valley of a stream flowing from Portsdown into the Solent. At its north end is Portchester Castle, of Roman origin and the first fortress built to protect the harbour. The mouth of the harbour provides access to the Solent. It is best known as the home of the Royal Navy, HMNB Portsmouth. Because of its strategic location on the south coast of England, protected by the natural defence of the Isle of Wight, it has since the Middle Ages been the home to England's (and later Britain's) navy. The narrow entrance, and the forts surrounding it gave it a considerable advantage of being virtually impregnable to attack from the sea. Before the fortifications were built the French burned Portsmouth in 1338. During the civil war parliamentary forces were able to carry out a successful cutting-out expedition within the harbour and capture the six-gunned Henrietta Marie.In modern times, the harbour has become a major commercial ferry port, with regular services to Caen, France, Cherbourg, France, St Malo, France, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight. There is a passenger ferry to Gosport. It is also a major area for leisure sailing. In 2001 the Gunwharf Quays development, was opened on the site of HMS Vernon (a former naval shore establishment).

Portchester Castle
Portchester Castle

Portchester Castle is a medieval fortress that was developed within the walls of the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Portus Adurni at Portchester, to the east of Fareham in Hampshire. The keep was probably built in the late 11th century as a baronial castle and Portchester was taken under royal control in 1154. The monarchy controlled the castle for several centuries and it was a favoured hunting lodge of King John. It was besieged and captured by the French in 1216 before permanently returning to English control shortly thereafter. Occupying a commanding position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, in the medieval period Portchester was an important port. The castle saw the embarkation for several campaigns to France led by England's kings. In anticipation of a French invasion during the first quarter of the 14th century, Edward II spent £1,100 repairing and reinforcing Portchester Castle. A plot to overthrow Henry V was discovered and the culprits apprehended at Portchester; this event features in Shakespeare's play, Henry V. Later in its history, the castle was used as a prison. Today Portchester Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and a Grade I listed building. The castle has been in the ownership of the Southwick Estate since the 17th century but is managed by English Heritage and open to visitors throughout the year. The Norman church, St. Mary's, which stands in the south-east corner of the grounds, falls within the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth.