Portsmouth Guildhall

The current building was commissioned to replace an earlier town hall located in the High Street. The site selected for the new building had been occupied by the home of the Commanding Officer of Artillery. The building, which was designed by William Hill in the Neo-classical style, was officially opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on 9 August 1890. Above the crown of the pediment a statue of Neptune sitting a chariot pulled by three seahorses was installed. On 10 January 1941, during the Second World War, it was hit by enemy incendiary bombs. The resultant fire gutted the building, completely destroying the interior and roof. Just the outer walls and tower remained standing, and…

The Guildhall now operates as a concert, wedding and conference venue. It has been managed by the Guildhall Trust (formerly the Portsmouth Cultural Trust), a registered charity, since 2011. The main hall has a standing capacity of up to 2,500 for concerts. Leading performers have included Debbie Harry in November 2003. The Guildhall is the focal point of Guildhall Square, a pedestrian square laid out in the 1970s. Other significant structures around the square include a statue of Queen Victoria, the university buildings, the city war memorial, and Victoria Park.