We have been through our archives to find some fascinating images of the city from the 1920s and 1930s before the second world war changed our city forever.
You will see in this wonderful collection a fantastic image of the Camber Dock, an exceptionally busy Wymering Racecourse, our roads filled with cars from the time and a deckchair attendant collecting money on Southsea beach with a steamer in the background at the end of the old Clarence Pier.
While a lot has happened over the years, these pictures show that some things have not changed at all – including the crowds on Southsea beach! In fact it was even busier!
5. Portsmouth in the 1920s
Edinburgh Road 1920s. A scene that was to be repeated for many years following. We see dockyard men crossing tramlines at the Commercial Road Junction with Edinburgh Road, Southsea. Looking closely, there is not one person without a hat. To the rear can be seen an open top omnibus and further back a signal post on the dockyard branch railway. Photo: The News archive
6. Portsmouth in the 1920s
The garage on the top of Portsdown Hill in the 1920s Picture: Paul Costen collection Photo: The News archive
7. Portsmouth in the 1920s
Grand Parade, Old Portsmouth circa 1920. Amid all the destruction of the later blitz, it survived pretty well intact and is still recognisable today Photo: The News archive
8. Portsmouth in the 1920s
St John’s Cathedral - the Roman Catholic Cathedral in the 1920s. The road outside is now known as Bishop Crispian Way but was previously known as part of Edinburgh Road before it was renamed in 2011 to honor Bishop Crispian Hollis in 2011 upon his retirement after 22 years of service as the seventh Bishop of Portsmouth. Photo: The News archive