Changing face of Rowlands Castle | Nostalgia
For today’s then and now pictures we go out of town to an area perhaps not known so well in Portsmouth but will be instantly recognisable to people in the Havant, Rowlands Castle and Horndean area.
The photographer then, and me today, were standing in Whichers Gate Road which runs from Emsworth (behind the camera) although it becomes the B2148 Horndean Road nearer Emsworth.
When the time original photo was taken it looks as if the road is the main road to Horndean in the distance. That road is called Manor Lodge Road but I don’t think many readers know that. I didn’t. To the left is the road to Havant, the B2149 Petersfield Road and on the right is Redhill Road which drops down to Rowlands Castle.
On the right is the Staunton Arms pub which at one time was a marvellous country pub untouched for years. But unfortunately it has become a mass-eating venue and lost all character.
Since traffic has increased the layout of the crossroads has changed dramatically with two mini-roundabouts added. The original road outside of the pub is now a pavement and lawn.