Semaphore Tower, Portsmouth

The Semaphore Tower served as the terminus of Britain鈥檚 early line-of-sight naval communications. Built around 1831鈥�33 atop the former Rigging House and Sail Loft, it was a crucial part of the Admiralty鈥檚 semaphore network, relaying messages from London to the fleet鈥攖ypically in mere minutes鈥攂efore giving way to more modern electric telegraph systems by 1847.

Constructed in stately red brick with an elegant octagonal top lantern, the tower incorporated the relocated Lion Gate arch from the old Portsea town wall in 1929, seamlessly merging dockyard architecture with Georgian grandeur and military history. Despite suffering a major fire in 1913, it was rebuilt and today functions as the offices of the Naval Base Commander and Queen鈥檚 Harbour Master.

Though not open for interior visits, its grandeur is best appreciated from the outside鈥攅specially from the boardwalk at Spice Island or the promenade near Gunwharf Quays. There, you can admire the sandstone lantern, flagstaff, and commanding views over the harbour.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Portsmouth. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Semaphore Tower
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Dockyard Tour

Walking Tours in Portsmouth, England

Create Your Own Walk in Portsmouth

Creating your own self-guided walk in Portsmouth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Dockyard Tour

The naval theme has always been dominant for Portsmouth. Most of the city's historic events are in one way or another associated with its seaside location. Portsmouth's Historical Dockyard is the area that offers a glimpse into the city's maritime past.

The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles

Famous English Writers Walking Tour

Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, North Hampshire. In her day, Portsmouth was a rough-edged seaport filled with people she considered "underbred." Nevertheless, she often traveled to Portsmouth to visit her brothers Francis and Charles, stationed there with the Royal Navy. Austen included Royal Naval characters in her novels, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.

Charles Dickens was... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Portsmouth Introduction Walking Tour

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle claims a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501 AD. Winston Churchill, in his "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples," wrote that Port was a pirate who founded Portsmouth in the same year.

King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

黑料吃瓜网