Round Tower, Portsmouth

The Round Tower is one of the city’s oldest standing fortifications, dating back to the early 15th century. Originally constructed in timber between 1418 and 1426 on orders from King Henry V, it safeguarded the narrow entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. By the late 1490s, the wooden structure was replaced with the enduring stone tower that still graces the waterfront today.

Over the centuries, the Tower evolved to meet changing defensive needs. In the 1680s it became linked by ramparts to the adjacent Square Tower, creating a unified line of harbor defence. During the Napoleonic Wars and mid-19th century, its top was modified to serve as a gun platform, before being purchased by Portsmouth City Council in 1958. Its Grade I listing underscores its significance as a rare surviving piece of Tudor and Napoleonic-era maritime architecture.

Today, tourists can climb to its rooftop at any time of year, rewarding themselves with sweeping views across Portsmouth Harbour towards Gosport and the Isle of Wight. Inside, the tower houses beautifully restored vaulted brick ceilings from the early 19th century-but ground-floor access is limited to special occasions. Since 2011, it has also hosted Rotating art exhibitions, supported by the nearby Hotwalls Studios creative hub.