9 classic retro photos of Portsmouth and Havant

By Steve Deeks

Published 10th Feb 2025, 18:05 BST

Updated 23rd Jan 2026, 11:25 BST

Here are 9 classic retro photos of Portsmouth and Havant that will take you back.

The collection includes Southsea Common, the former Knight and Lee building in Southsea, Botley Drive in Leigh Park and Havant railway station.

See the wonderful retro images below.

Botley Drive houses under construction in Leigh Park, circa 1953. Pic. Barry Cox collection

1. 084bb078-121b-4e2e-8ae7-4f98c0204dc8.jpeg (JPNX)

Botley Drive houses under construction in Leigh Park, circa 1953. Pic. Barry Cox collection Photo: Barry Cox collection

Looking across Southsea Common from Clarence Pier. Fantastic crowds walking along Pier Road in the 1920s.

2. Southsea Common

Looking across Southsea Common from Clarence Pier. Fantastic crowds walking along Pier Road in the 1920s. Photo: The News archive

Knight & Lee’s store in Elm Grove, Southsea Here we see one of the Knight & Lee stores which were spread all over Southsea after the war. Picture: Barry Cox collection.

3. Memories of Elm Grove in Southsea

Knight & Lee’s store in Elm Grove, Southsea Here we see one of the Knight & Lee stores which were spread all over Southsea after the war. Picture: Barry Cox collection. Photo: The News archive

Terraced houses in Cromwell Road , Eastney in the early years of the last century.

4. Memories of Eastney Portsmouth

Terraced houses in Cromwell Road , Eastney in the early years of the last century. Photo: The News archive

Havant Portsmouth Southsea