Step back through the history of our city and explore the light and bright surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral. Our Romanesque style church, dedicated to Thomas Becket, dates back to 1182, with stories of the past hidden around each corner.
Set at the historic heart of the city, Portsmouth Cathedral has been a part of its story for over 800 years. Uncover our deep connections with the Royal Navy and the seafaring community. See remnants of Lord Nelson’s flag from HMS Victory or visit the grave of the unknown crew member of the Mary Rose.
Explore the story of so many who have sailed on the oceans, as well as those who lived and worked around the city from its humble beginnings in 1182. Take in illuminated works of art in our stained-glass windows illustrating stories of the past, from the martyred Thomas Becket to D-Day.
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Watch the video... Take a Voyage of Discovery!
Stories from the Cathedral...
Christmas Fair 2022 Update
Rachael our Volunteer Co-ordinator shares an update on the recent Cathedral Christmas Fair, thank you to all those who volunteered at or donated items to the Christmas Fair, which this year raised over £5,300 to support the ministry of the Cathedral.
Would you like to become a Cathedral guide?
Rachael our Volunteer Co-ordinator shares an update on the recent Cathedral Christmas Fair, thank you to all those who volunteered at or donated items to the Christmas Fair, which this year raised over £5,300 to support the ministry of the Cathedral.
Did you know... Holocaust Memorial Day and Naomi Blake
January 27th marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. One of the Cathedral’s treasured objects is a sculpture by Naomi Blake, sculptor and Holocaust survivor, our heritage team explore her story.
The Life of Jonas Hanway
Jonas Hanway was one of a kind ‘Citizen of the World’, starting his early life in Portsmouth, going on to explore far reaches of the world. Later in life founding the Marine Society, Hanway is also credited for popularising the umbrella for gentlemen.
Dive deeper into our past with daily guided tours
We’re pleased to welcome visitors back through our doors with a daily program of free and paid guided tours. We invite you to take a deeper dive into our past, the people who worshipped here, and much more, alongside other digital experiences available at the Cathedral.
Why was July 1545 a particularly bad month for Henry VIII? Henry and his court were on Southsea Common watching the English Fleet sail out to attack the French when disaster struck.
On this day in 1918... Henry Pembroke Innes
Portsmouth has always been home to a wealth of creatives and artists, including an illustrator located very close to the Cathedral, Henry Pembroke Innes, who died on 27 May, in 1918.
Did you know… The surrender of Southwick Priory in 1538
In April 1538, Prior Noxton (sometimes mistakenly called Norton), together with 12 canons, signed the surrender of his Priory, Our Lady of Southwick, to King Henry VIII, together with its manors and rectories in Hampshire - including the church of St Thomas in Portsmouth. This was part of the process we call the Reformation.
The loss of the Wilhelmina J
Thirty years ago, on 9 April 1991, the trawler Wilhelmina J set out from Old Portsmouth to trawl for scallops in the English Channel. Shortly before 2am on 10 April, in thick fog off the Sussex coast, the boat was struck by the Zulfikar, a Cypriot cargo vessel.
Did you know... The Greater Excommunication
Did you know on 5 April 1684, the evacuated Tangier Garrison landed in Portsmouth. How did this country come to have a garrison in North Africa?
