Portsmouth - A Boat Trip and Walk around the Old City and Sea Walls

The Plan: Meet at 10.15 at the Hard Interchange - see map. We'll then proceed to the Gunwharf Quays and join our boat for a 45 minute tour of the harbour. After this : a walk around Old Portsmouth, taking in Portsmouth Cathedral, the Royal Garrison Church, the Hot Walls, the Square and Round Towers, and finishing at the Spinnaker Tower.
We will start at the Hard Interchange (mainly because it's a convenient place to meet, although there are views of the historic ships, such as HMS Warrior, nearby).
From here we walk to Portsmouth Cathedral and go inside for a while, and then to the Royal Garrison Church which was partly damaged during the War and presents a contrast between the roofless nave and the roofed and furnished chancel.
Next we go up onto the walls to the Square Tower, part way along the top of the walls with views of the shipping coming into and out of the harbour, down to street level (by the ice cream van for anyone who can't wait until lunch!) and past the Hot Walls (originally part of the defences of Portsmouth Harbour and now home to artists studios) to the Round Tower, another part of the old fortifications dating back to the 1420s.
From there we go onto the Portsmouth Point (or the "Spice Island", nothing to do with real spices but so-called because it spiced up the visiting sailors lives with drink and other entertainments!) and then past (or maybe into) several pubs - a convenient stopping point for lunch.
From here we go along a path with views over an inlet from the harbour and a multi-storey boat park (yes, really!). Oh, and not to forget the "Portsmouth City Council Shellfish Notification Board" - glad to see that the council take their responsibilities seriously but I have no idea why the shellfish need notifying of anything!
Finally past the modern shopping centre of Gunwharf Quays (with a couple of old ships figureheads on display) to the Spinnaker Tower. Those with a head for heights can go up the tower for excellent views across Portsmouth city and harbour and a chance to stand on the glass floor and see the long drop beneath your feet.
From here it is a short walk back to Gunwharf Quays car park or Portsmouth Harbour station.

This should be a great day in a historic part of this maritime city - even the pubs have history!

Meetup cost is £5 per photographer and for each guest - paid in cash to me on the day please.

The Boat Trip is £13 - please book your ticket in advance here: HERE Tickets may be available on the day but time will be short as the ticket office is at the entrance to the Royal Dockyards and not at the quay. If you do NOT want to go on the boat we can meet at 12 at the quay before we start the walk.

Entry to the Spinnaker Tower is £18.95 (£17.65 concessions) and allows multiple visits on the same day. If visibility is poor (you cannot see all 3 Solent forts) then you can ask for a free visit in the following 3 months.

Comfortable shoes are recommended as it will be quite a lot of walking (about 2.5 miles) on hard pavements, and dress for the weather as we'll be outside quite a lot.

Bring whatever camera you have - a phone or compact camera can take great pictures. And don't forget to share your pictures on the site afterwards.