FAREHAM/PORTCHESTER

Fareham is a market town which lies at the northwest corner of Portsmouth Harbour. The town dates back to the Norman era. In 2007, Baroness Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Britain, visited Fareham to unveil a commemorative arch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Many of the Task Force ships which took part in the conflict sailed from nearby Portsmouth.

Portchester is best known for Portchester Castle, formerly Portus Adurni, considered the finest example of a Roman fort in Western Europe, although it was also used by Britons, Saxons and Normans over the years. The walls of the original Roman fort, six feet thick, surround the remains of a Norman castle built by Henry II. It was here that Henry V marshalled his forces for the 1415 expedition to Agincourt. As well as a fortification, the castle has been used as a royal residence and as a prison.

Map of the area.

1229190-Portchester Castle. Photo by Johan Bakker, via Wikimedia Commons.