Palmerston Road, with Handleys on the left, was a popular shopping area, and became a social mecca for the young, which led to the oft-heard cry upon parting: "See you in Palmy."

OSBORNE ROAD 1921 A tram, bound for the Dockyard makes its way along Osborne Road, past the Queen's Hotel. The first hotel of that name was destroyed in 1901, with the death of two chambermaids.

CLARENCE BEACH 1935 The beach was a popular place in those palmy pre-war days. In the background is the outstanding Clarence Pier, which was virtually destroyed during the war.

WESTERN PARADE 1900 The extension of upper-middle class Southsea took place between 1860 and 1885. The Grosvenor Hotel was opened in the early 1880s on the site of the old Cricketers' Tavern, which stood upon Froddington Heath, now Southsea Common.

ALBERT ROAD 1900 This commercial view shows Albert Road before the building of the Kings Theatre. It is also interesting to note the original police station on the right of the picture.

COTTAGE GROVE 1930 Cottage Grove then was a thriving shopping area. The awnings denote a large number of small side street businesses.

LUMPS FORT 1937 Lumps Fort was built in 1539, and was sold for £47,000 to the city of Portsmouth in 1931, together with 13 acres of land, which once boasted a large farm and a windmill.

CANOE LAKE 1905 This commercial postcard view shows the lake with Edwardians enjoying the sun and the water. The peaceful pleasures of the turn of the century are well illustrated in this picture. At one time the lake boasted a swannery.

SOUTH PARADE 1877 Beach Mansions, an hotel opened in 1866, stands proudly on the waterfront at Southsea, at a time just before the building of South Parade Pier, when the area consisted mainly of Naval officers' dwellings.

PORTSBRIDGE JUNCTION 1930 A motor-bus is pictured negotiating the roundabout north of Portsbridge, which can be seen in the background. The bridge was opened in 1927 - the commemorative plaque is still to be seen.

BROAD STREET 1945 This view, looking across the harbour towards Gosport, shows The Union Tavern and The Coal Exchange. The area was soon to change dramatically when the Camber dock area was developed.

PORTSBRIDGE RAILWAY 1936 This view of the railway bridge at Portsbridge, from the ramparts, shows a steam train leaving by the city's only railway approach.

PORTSBRIDGE 1930 This view is taken from the south side of Portsbridge, facing directly towards the camera of the previous picture. A motor-bus and one of the fast-disappearing trams pass each other.

BAFFINS POND 1934 When the land in the Baffins area was sold for housing development, the pond was saved for- in the words of the owners - "public pleasure."

The Hard is an area of Portsmouth in Portsea. It mostly encompasses the road between the Historic Dockyard entrance and just past Portsmouth Harbour station. There is a major bus terminal at the hard, as well as ferries to Gosport. The area has several old pubs along its length. Click for more...

Year unknown.