Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour – an infernal den of Diabolical Demons

Old Portsmouth’s oldest lanes hide more than naval pride and handsome harbor views. This 90-minute walk takes you into stories of medieval churches, grim legends, and Portsmouth Point, with a guide who brings out the odd details that are easy to miss when you explore alone.

I like the small group limit of 15, which should make it easier to hear Samuel and ask questions. I also like the route’s mix of real places and strange local tales, from Landport Gate and Thomas Becket’s chapel to the unruly past of Spice Island.

The main drawback is the short running time. At about an hour and a half, this is an introduction rather than a full study of Portsmouth, and some lanes are tight. The tour also needs good weather, so keep a little flexibility in your plans.

Key points to know before booking

• Landport Gate is the opening scene: Enter Old Portsmouth through its only entrance still in its original location.
• The route covers more than naval stories: You’ll hear about medieval Portsmouth, Thomas Becket, an open-air church, Hot Walls, and Spice Island.
• Samuel leads with humor and energy: His clear English has also worked well for French visitors.
• The group is capped at 15 people: That is a useful size for a walking tour through narrow lanes.
• The price is modest for a focused introduction: At $17.22 per person, the walk can help you decide where to spend more time afterward.
• Plan for the weather: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead, but poor conditions can also cause the operator to cancel.

Start at Landport Gate, Old Portsmouth’s original doorway

The tour begins outside Tesco Express at 19 St George’s Road, a practical meeting point near Landport Gate. From there, you enter Old Portsmouth through the only entrance that remains in its original location.

That detail gives the opening a sense of place. Instead of starting with a broad lecture, the walk begins at a physical threshold. You are not simply hearing that Portsmouth is old. You are passing through one of the places where the town’s past can still be felt.

The tour’s playful title promises an infernal den of diabolical demons, but the aim is not a ghost hunt. Expect a lively look at dark legends, odd facts, and the less polished side of local history. The humor matters here. Portsmouth’s past includes religion, trade, sailors, entertainment, and crime, and Samuel’s style appears suited to connecting those subjects without making the walk feel like a classroom.

You should allow a little extra time to find the start. The meeting point is specific, but the tour does not begin at a major museum or landmark entrance. Once you arrive, the route moves on foot through Old Portsmouth, so comfortable shoes are sensible.

Medieval Portsmouth and the chapel linked to Thomas Becket

After the opening at Landport Gate, the walk turns to the real beginnings of Portsmouth. This is one of the most valuable parts of the route because it moves beyond the city’s familiar naval identity.

You’ll learn about Portsmouth’s connection to the chapel of Thomas Becket. The information provided does not give the full story, so you should expect the guide to supply the context during the walk rather than arrive with a long list of background facts already explained.

For you, the benefit is simple: this section helps place Portsmouth in a much older setting. The town was not created only for warships and dockyards. Religious links and medieval foundations form part of the story, too.

Samuel’s approach is reported to be clear and accessible, including for visitors who do not speak English as their first language. A French visitor specifically praised the clarity of his English. That makes this tour a reasonable choice if you want a history walk but worry about fast speech or heavy academic language.

The open-air church and the story behind Hot Walls

The route also brings you to Portsmouth’s open-air church. That phrase alone is likely to make you pause. It suggests a place where religious life took place in a less conventional setting, and it gives Samuel another chance to explain how people used Old Portsmouth in earlier periods.

The tour then covers medieval beginnings and the reason the Hot Walls are called Hot Walls. This is exactly the kind of detail that can improve an independent visit. You may walk past a name on a map or a sign and accept it without asking why it exists. A local guide can connect the name to the place in front of you.

The supplied details do not spell out the explanation, so I would avoid treating this walk as a preview that gives away every answer. Part of the appeal is hearing the local story on site, with the old walls around you.

This portion should suit anyone who likes place names with a backstory. It is also useful for families and casual visitors who want more than dates and famous names. The guide’s humor keeps the material moving, while the stops give you concrete points to remember.

Spice Island and the reality behind the fun

The second named stop is Spice Island, reached after the earlier medieval and religious stories. Today, it is associated with enjoyment and waterfront leisure, but the walk looks at what came before.

You’ll hear about the dangers of Portsmouth Point, along with the amusements that made the area famous. The tour promises a look at both myths and realities, which is important. Old port districts often collect colorful stories, and a good guide should help you separate the entertaining version from what can reasonably be supported.

This is where the walk’s darker tone becomes most useful. Spice Island was not only a place for fun and frolics. The area had a more frightening and shocking past, and the guide explores that contrast.

I like this part of the route because it treats Portsmouth as a working town with rough edges. You are not being shown a polished heritage set piece. You are hearing about the kind of place where pleasure, risk, business, and disorder could exist close together.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes according to the planned route. That is enough time for a focused explanation, but not enough for a long visit to every corner. If Spice Island interests you, note places you may want to revisit after the walk.

Why Samuel’s guiding style matters

The strongest feature of this experience appears to be the guide. Samuel is described as enthusiastic, humorous, engaging, and deeply informed about Portsmouth’s past. Those qualities matter more on a walking tour than a long list of stops.

A guide who simply recites dates can make even an attractive street feel flat. Samuel’s style seems to lean toward stories, unusual facts, and lively delivery. That suits a tour with demons, lawless port districts, open-air worship, and mysterious place names.

You should also expect an accessible presentation. The French feedback specifically praised the guide’s clear English for foreign visitors. That does not mean every accent or speaking speed will suit every person, but it is a useful sign if you prefer a guide who explains rather than performs for specialists.

The tour can also help with family research. Samuel has pointed visitors toward useful directions for researching family connections in Portsmouth. That does not turn the walk into a genealogy service, but it adds value if your interest in the city is personal as well as historical.

A small group makes the narrow streets easier

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to feel more manageable than a large crowd, especially in Old Portsmouth’s tight lanes.

A small group helps in three practical ways. You have a better chance of hearing the guide, you can keep the walking pace together, and asking a question is less awkward. It also reduces the chance that the most interesting doorway or wall is hidden behind a large mass of people.

The route includes some tight lanes, so this is not the right choice if you want a completely open, level walking environment. The provided information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Dogs on leads are welcome as well.

No special transport is needed once you reach the start. The tour ends at The Bridge Tavern, 54 Camber Place on East Street, in Old Portsmouth. That ending point gives you a useful place to continue your visit, though the tour does not include food or drinks.

What $17.22 buys you

At $17.22 per person, the tour is priced as an affordable introduction rather than a major paid attraction. You are paying for a guide, a planned route, local context, and the chance to ask questions during a 90-minute walk.

The value depends on how you use it. If you plan to spend only a short time in Portsmouth, this walk can give your visit shape quickly. You’ll see several key areas and leave with ideas about where to return.

If you already know Old Portsmouth well, the price may be harder to justify unless the local legends and unusual stories are new to you. The route does not appear designed as an exhaustive survey of museums, naval history, or architectural detail.

I would book it early if the timing matters. The experience is booked an average of 43 days in advance, which suggests that popular dates may fill before a last-minute visit. Several start times are offered, so you can fit the walk around other Portsmouth plans.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This is an outdoor walking tour, and it requires good weather. That affects your planning more than it would for a museum visit. Check the forecast, wear suitable shoes, and avoid placing an important connection immediately after the walk.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

If poor weather forces cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached, with the option of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, so keep your booking details available on your phone.

Who will enjoy this Portsmouth walk most

I would recommend this tour to you if you like local stories more than a basic checklist of landmarks. It suits first-time visitors who want orientation, history fans who enjoy lesser-known details, and residents looking for a fresh way to see familiar streets.

It should also work well for people with family links to Portsmouth. The pointers toward further family research add a personal angle that many short city walks do not offer.

The format is friendly to mixed groups. Most people can take part, service animals are allowed, and dogs on leads are welcome. Still, remember the tight lanes and the need to stay outdoors for around 90 minutes.

You may want something else if you need a fully accessible route, a specialist naval tour, or a longer visit inside historic buildings. The walk focuses on stories told in public spaces. It does not replace time at Portsmouth’s museums or other attractions.

Should you book the Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour?

Book this walk if you want a short, good-value introduction with a strong local voice. Samuel’s humorous delivery, clear English, and enthusiasm appear to be the main reasons this experience works so well. The mix of medieval beginnings, Thomas Becket, the open-air church, Hot Walls, and Spice Island gives you more variety than the 90-minute length might suggest.

I would especially choose it near the start of a Portsmouth visit. You can use the route to get your bearings, mark places for a second look, and understand why Old Portsmouth is more than a backdrop for naval history.

Skip it if rain is likely, your schedule cannot handle an outdoor activity, or you want a long and detailed tour of every major site. For most people seeking an affordable, entertaining walk through the city’s stranger corners, $17.22 is a sensible price.

FAQ

How long does the Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $17.22 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Tesco Express, 19 St George’s Road, Portsmouth PO1 2EW, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at The Bridge Tavern, 54 Camber Place, East Street, Old Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2JJ, UK.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Who guides the tour?

The guide named in the available information is Samuel.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience has a maximum group size of 15 people.

Is the tour suitable for dogs?

Yes. Dogs are welcome when kept on leads.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.