Portsmouth City Museum

Bunny says 'Felt like I needed to get some exercise today, tried to go upstairs but they are enormous! Someone helped and I got to see Isambard Kingdom Brunel's baptism in this big book. Is he someone famous?'

Good morning everyone! Just a quick reminder that this lovely workshop is coming up soon; if you want to find out more about the insects in your garden, this is for you.

We have had a break from the fabulous Dowling collection but we are back to cataloguing. This one popped up as a bit of a mystery. Not entirely sure this is Portsmouth?

Bunny says 'Been here three days now, its not so bad and today I went to a talk all about how Portsmouth started. I enjoyed the pictures and met some nice people. This man works with all the old documents that tell us about our history, wonder who else I will meet?'

Out today a new edition of Portsmouth Paper number 65. Sarah Quail, the former City Archivist, provides an original, readable and thoroughly researched account of the foundation of Portsmouth and the granting of the city's first charter, 825 years ago. On sale in the museum shop!
This paper reveals a story of political intrigue, betrayal and war, the story of the founder of Portsmouth, Jean de Gisors, showing him to have been a wealthy Norman baron, from a family embroiled ...in the power politics of 12th century England and France.
Ultimately choosing the French side, de Gisors' English property was confiscated by Richard I. Richard, recognising the strategic value of Portsmouth, made the town a royal borough.
The paper fully explains the meaning of the charter, and explores how the town developed as a self-governing, independent community.
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Great day with the warriors and followers from Historia Normanis, we hope to do it again!

Well, I am still here but thank you to everyone who has tried to reunite me with my family. I hung out with the knights a bit yesterday and now taking it easy on reception, keeping my eyes open just in case....

The knights are open for business, pop along and enjoy the shire court, weapons demonstrations and later on a fashion show! The sun has even come out 😊

Morning! I got lost at Portsmouth Museum so would love my family to come and get me. The place is full of Medieval knights today which is a bit scary but they have been nice to me so far.

Only two days to go before the knights descend on the museum, really looking forward to it and hope you are too!

Don't miss this great opportunity to see the rest of Portsmouth's official charters which are on display near the Lord Mayor's parlour, book your place now!

We have a very busy week coming up for you. First up tomorrow is our talk on the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, part of our programme marking the loan of one of the iconic photographs of the great man from the @nationalportraitgallery. The talk starts at 1.00 so if you have not booked your place yet give us a call on 023 9283 4744.
On Saturday we have Knights at the Museum, more details to come or you can have a look at the listing on our events page.

Other than the fact he gave us our first charter, the reign of Richard I is full of fascinating stories, check this out for starters https://www.historyextra.com/…/8-things -you-probably-didn…/…

It has arrived! So excited to say that the gorgeous 14th century manuscript containing a copy of Portsmouth's first charter has arrived safely from the Bodleian Library and is on display in our first floor picture gallery.
Not only can you see the document but hear it being read in Latin and English, an experience not to be missed.

Don't miss our new display opening on the 19 April to mark the 825th anniversary of Portsmouth's first charter, granted by Richard I.
Portsmouth's original charter was lost early in the town's history. Some copies survive and we are very excited to be displaying a rare 14th century copy on loan from the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford.
This is a once in a lifetime chance to see and hear the words that created our city and gave us our earliest rights and freedoms. ...The display will also look at the fair that the charter created and use finds from the city's archaeology collection to glimpse everyday life in Portsmouth from the 12th century to the 16th century.
The display runs until 19 July 2019 and is free to visit.
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Isambard Kingdom Brunel, civil engineer, was born on this day in Britain Street, in Portsmouth in 1806. His father, Sir Marc Brunel, was the famous engineer who in 1801 had designed the block-making machinery in Portsmouth Dockyard, one of the early inventions which pioneered mass-production development. Isambard was educated in London, Brighton and France and later became his father's chief assistant engineer on the ambitious project of constructing the first tunnel under t...he River Thames in London, which ran from Rotherhithe to Wapping. Throughout his professional career, Isambard Brunel was based in London. He went on to undertake railway construction and as a young man was appointed engineer to the Great Western Railway. Under his supervision railways were designed and constructed throughout the West of England and today there are viaducts, tunnels and bridges in a host of places which by their boldness of design and beauty of proportion are an eloquent expression of his genius. He is however best known for his work on ocean-going steam-ships; the SS Great Western, completed in 1838, was the largest steamship of it's day to be employed in a regular ocean-going service between Bristol and New York; the SS Great Britain, which was the first completely iron built, screw propelled steamship used as a transatlantic passenger ship; and the SS Great Eastern, which was the largest of the three and capable of carrying passengers to India and the Far East under steam. He is shown here standing by the launching chains of SS Great Eastern, from a photograph by Robert Howlett, currently on loan from the National Portrait Gallery and on display at the museum until 23rd June.
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An event not to miss! Watch out for more information about what we are doing to mark the 825th anniversary of the granting of Portsmouth's first charter.

Wonderful building and very helpful staff - free entry with plenty of parking spaces. Don't forget to get Portsmouth papers series which are full of historic information about Portsmouth and most of it are lost today; they are steal for a price of £0.75 -£2.25.

Went to Portsmouth museum today with my daughter and her friends and they absolutely loved it very friendly staff and they completed a egg hunt the children loved everything about it can't wait for the next holidays to take her back my daughter said the best bit was seeing what the houses where like in the 1930's to what they are like now highly recommend to all families

Visited after going to the Uni's open day, very interesting throughout, the food in the cafe was lovely , added bonus saw my cousin who works there, will definately return.

The City Museum is a great place to visit and we all pop in there lots. We love it there and it is very interesting.

I visited on Saturday 19th August 2017 for the first time alone (have been many times with family, but yesterday I thought I'd take a wander down). What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

The staff were so helpful; I am disabled, so as soon as I came in, a staff member asked if I needed assistance with doors. I said that would be great, the lady then said she could help at one side, but would get someone else to open the door at the other.

A good few minutes go by and another lady arrives to help, so that was kind.

I didn't get around all the exhibitions so plan another visit at some point.

I'm interested in Then and Now type of things, so the exhibition ''Living In Portsmouth" was good to look at.

The "Game Over" exhibition was fun too. Looking at all the types of computers from then to now, reminded me of the fun my brother and I had while on them.



I remembered seeing the 1930's house rooms with Mum, so wanted to return. They were beautiful.



All around, a fantastic visit. Would recommend to others. Thank you!!

Have been using the museum forany years my granddaughter loves it .staff very nice and helpful .but a bit unsure re new cafe .very clean and staff lovely but think menu could do with looking at I know chips are not healthy but it may be worth putting on menu ..will see you all soon

Had a really lovely time at the Museum yesterday. We were at a loose end and stumbled upon it expecting to spend an hour or so wandering before moving on...5 hours later we forced ourselves to leave! It was such a good Museum and considering the size, the exhibits were brilliant. Particular mention has to go to the Football and Game Over exhibits, both were brilliant. Will definitely be recommending the Museum to others for visits in the future! Thank you for a lovely morning :)

Had a great time and lots of fun :) learned a lot about Portsmouth’s history as the museum is very nice and has lots of interactive parts ! We arrived around 2pm and were unlucky as it closed at 4-4:30 so didn’t have time to see the last floor, but definitely will come back to see the rest :)

Great place and history the staff are very friendly and helpful thank you

Fantastic ithough it told a lot about the history of the city of Portsmouth. I was very interested in sporting history of Portsmouth football club and the navy.I also thought that the war history was interesting

Ashamed to say that it was my first visit but it won't be my last, fantastic place.

A great place for all the family - great range of museums and historic venues and heritage, with a naval influence.

Was looking for something to do on rainy day

came across this place went with my oldest son 27 and my youngest son 7 with my wife.

We all loved the retro section plus lots of history of Portsmouth was fascinating stroll through and is free what more can you ask for

Can't wait to go again, we all loved it highly recommend to everyone

It's pretty good, it's free so a great place to take the kids when it's raining in the holidays. There's a nice little cafe on site & a great gift shop too.

Visited the Tri corn exhibition today. A building that not many people liked, but that maybe because negativity from the press and Portsmouth Council.

If those people only stood back and really looked at the structure they would see an attractive building. Not just blocks of concrete. They would see rectangles, squares and curves good walkways and plenty of good shops, Mr Clive, the Village, Domino records, the list goes on. Two pubs the eight bells and the casbar frequented by the market people and shoppers alike.

Its downfall I believe was caused the Portsmouth Council who seemed to dislike it from the start and let it go into disrepair instead of renovating and giving a vibrant paint job and then it would be the pride of Portsmouth Council, now what have we got now? The ground leveled and turned into an expensive carpark, what's happened to the promise of a new shopping mall

Museum has a lot of interesting things but cafe is very disappointing. Just been waiting half an hour for sandwiches and jackets and as lady is on her own and still taking orders it could be a while yet. Also seems most hot food not being served as microwave on blink. Do we cut our losses and leave? Doubt we'll get our money back! Tables dirty too no one cleaning up. Ah sandwiches just arriving, very roughly made got two5 order wrong. We are visiting from Texas and my daughter and son in law are highly embarrased to have brought us here. Choc milk shake turns out to be choc milk!. Better stop there I think. Oh just got refund for inconvenience.

Just a brief addition. Jackets are excellent. This lady should not be expected to cope unaided, and a back up microwave should be available. I don't blame her in any way.

Not very happy at all that we came to see the capturing the spirit exhibition today only to be told it was closed on Sunday.

This was advertised to run until the 24th of June yet shut a week early �

Apparently shut early so that area can be decorated.

Absolutely fuming that yet again something about Paulsgrove has been pushed to the sidelines.

If you advertise something to run for a period of time then stick to it.

We wasted our day coming to see an exhibition that our family featured in only to left disappointed and sad that now we will never get to see the finished product.

Disgusting show Portsmouth city museum.�

CarenandPeter Durrant Fox I too had my home here in 1967 'and 68 whilst in the Womens Royal Naval Service and working at HMS Vernon. I received the same response when I visited. It was pointed out to me that there was no mention in her 'book' just WW2 and I felt rather like someone who didn't know what I was talking about. I asked if there was any information and history on Duchess of Kent Barracks as it was when I was there, but she hadn't heard of that name and said there was nothing other than what was in 'the book'. Disappointing to think that being housed in the old building, that there is so little information or knowledge by those on the 'front line' so to speak, in the reception area. What was even more sad and disappointing was the lack of interest!! Surely, as it is now a museum, as such there should be some sort of commemoration or acknowledgement of this amazing old buildings history. I would welcome a response?

We've just been refused a table by the cafe and gift shop staff as the cafe lady "likes to thoroughly clean" great, I applaud her cleanliness but it's 4.10pm . They were happy to sell me 2 cans of drink then did not allow to let myself and a 10 year old sit down to drink it. :(

It purports to close at 5pm!

Wonderful building and very helpful staff - free entry with plenty of parking spaces. Don't forget to get Portsmouth papers series which are full of historic information about Portsmouth and most of it are lost today; they are steal for a price of £0.75 -£2.25.

Went to Portsmouth museum today with my daughter and her friends and they absolutely loved it very friendly staff and they completed a egg hunt the children loved everything about it can't wait for the next holidays to take her back my daughter said the best bit was seeing what the houses where like in the 1930's to what they are like now highly recommend to all families

Visited after going to the Uni's open day, very interesting throughout, the food in the cafe was lovely , added bonus saw my cousin who works there, will definately return.

The City Museum is a great place to visit and we all pop in there lots. We love it there and it is very interesting.

I visited on Saturday 19th August 2017 for the first time alone (have been many times with family, but yesterday I thought I'd take a wander down). What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

The staff were so helpful; I am disabled, so as soon as I came in, a staff member asked if I needed assistance with doors. I said that would be great, the lady then said she could help at one side, but would get someone else to open the door at the other.

A good few minutes go by and another lady arrives to help, so that was kind.

I didn't get around all the exhibitions so plan another visit at some point.

I'm interested in Then and Now type of things, so the exhibition ''Living In Portsmouth" was good to look at.

The "Game Over" exhibition was fun too. Looking at all the types of computers from then to now, reminded me of the fun my brother and I had while on them.



I remembered seeing the 1930's house rooms with Mum, so wanted to return. They were beautiful.



All around, a fantastic visit. Would recommend to others. Thank you!!

Have been using the museum forany years my granddaughter loves it .staff very nice and helpful .but a bit unsure re new cafe .very clean and staff lovely but think menu could do with looking at I know chips are not healthy but it may be worth putting on menu ..will see you all soon

Had a really lovely time at the Museum yesterday. We were at a loose end and stumbled upon it expecting to spend an hour or so wandering before moving on...5 hours later we forced ourselves to leave! It was such a good Museum and considering the size, the exhibits were brilliant. Particular mention has to go to the Football and Game Over exhibits, both were brilliant. Will definitely be recommending the Museum to others for visits in the future! Thank you for a lovely morning :)

Had a great time and lots of fun :) learned a lot about Portsmouth’s history as the museum is very nice and has lots of interactive parts ! We arrived around 2pm and were unlucky as it closed at 4-4:30 so didn’t have time to see the last floor, but definitely will come back to see the rest :)

Great place and history the staff are very friendly and helpful thank you

Fantastic ithough it told a lot about the history of the city of Portsmouth. I was very interested in sporting history of Portsmouth football club and the navy.I also thought that the war history was interesting

Ashamed to say that it was my first visit but it won't be my last, fantastic place.

A great place for all the family - great range of museums and historic venues and heritage, with a naval influence.

Was looking for something to do on rainy day

came across this place went with my oldest son 27 and my youngest son 7 with my wife.

We all loved the retro section plus lots of history of Portsmouth was fascinating stroll through and is free what more can you ask for

Can't wait to go again, we all loved it highly recommend to everyone

It's pretty good, it's free so a great place to take the kids when it's raining in the holidays. There's a nice little cafe on site & a great gift shop too.

Visited the Tri corn exhibition today. A building that not many people liked, but that maybe because negativity from the press and Portsmouth Council.

If those people only stood back and really looked at the structure they would see an attractive building. Not just blocks of concrete. They would see rectangles, squares and curves good walkways and plenty of good shops, Mr Clive, the Village, Domino records, the list goes on. Two pubs the eight bells and the casbar frequented by the market people and shoppers alike.

Its downfall I believe was caused the Portsmouth Council who seemed to dislike it from the start and let it go into disrepair instead of renovating and giving a vibrant paint job and then it would be the pride of Portsmouth Council, now what have we got now? The ground leveled and turned into an expensive carpark, what's happened to the promise of a new shopping mall

Museum has a lot of interesting things but cafe is very disappointing. Just been waiting half an hour for sandwiches and jackets and as lady is on her own and still taking orders it could be a while yet. Also seems most hot food not being served as microwave on blink. Do we cut our losses and leave? Doubt we'll get our money back! Tables dirty too no one cleaning up. Ah sandwiches just arriving, very roughly made got two5 order wrong. We are visiting from Texas and my daughter and son in law are highly embarrased to have brought us here. Choc milk shake turns out to be choc milk!. Better stop there I think. Oh just got refund for inconvenience.

Just a brief addition. Jackets are excellent. This lady should not be expected to cope unaided, and a back up microwave should be available. I don't blame her in any way.

Not very happy at all that we came to see the capturing the spirit exhibition today only to be told it was closed on Sunday.

This was advertised to run until the 24th of June yet shut a week early �

Apparently shut early so that area can be decorated.

Absolutely fuming that yet again something about Paulsgrove has been pushed to the sidelines.

If you advertise something to run for a period of time then stick to it.

We wasted our day coming to see an exhibition that our family featured in only to left disappointed and sad that now we will never get to see the finished product.

Disgusting show Portsmouth city museum.�

CarenandPeter Durrant Fox I too had my home here in 1967 'and 68 whilst in the Womens Royal Naval Service and working at HMS Vernon. I received the same response when I visited. It was pointed out to me that there was no mention in her 'book' just WW2 and I felt rather like someone who didn't know what I was talking about. I asked if there was any information and history on Duchess of Kent Barracks as it was when I was there, but she hadn't heard of that name and said there was nothing other than what was in 'the book'. Disappointing to think that being housed in the old building, that there is so little information or knowledge by those on the 'front line' so to speak, in the reception area. What was even more sad and disappointing was the lack of interest!! Surely, as it is now a museum, as such there should be some sort of commemoration or acknowledgement of this amazing old buildings history. I would welcome a response?

We've just been refused a table by the cafe and gift shop staff as the cafe lady "likes to thoroughly clean" great, I applaud her cleanliness but it's 4.10pm . They were happy to sell me 2 cans of drink then did not allow to let myself and a 10 year old sit down to drink it. :(

It purports to close at 5pm!