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Gosport Leasing

Did You Know?

Gosport is a town and non-metropolitan borough, on the south coast of Hampshire, South East England. At the 2021 Census, its population was 81,952. It is situated on a peninsula on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour, opposite the city of Portsmouth.

Located on England's south coast, Gosport offers an irresistible mix of fascinating places to visit and things to do for all ages. With its 24 miles of waterfront, safe panoramic beaches, impressive naval heritage, scenic countryside walks  and historic trails.

Philip Eley writing in The Place Names of Gosport: The name apparently derives from gosa, Old English for goose, and port, Latin portus or harbour, 'borrowed' from Portchester, Portsea and Portsmouth.

It lies on a peninsula between Portsmouth Harbour and The Solent, opposite the Isle of Wight. Gosport prospered from the 16th century with the rising importance of the Royal Navy. Primarily a victualing station, it flourished in the Napoleonic Wars and later shared in the naval development of Portsmouth.

Until the last quarter of the 20th century, Gosport was a major naval town associated with the defence and supply infrastructure of Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth. As such over the years extensive fortifications were created. The first fortifications were in 1678 during the reign on Charles II.

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Gosport increased by three years, from 40 to 43 years of age. This area had a higher average (median) age than the South East as a whole

A hundred years ago, in November 1922, Gosport officially became a borough, after King George V approved the grant of a municipal charter. This gave the town a special formal status.

Hardway originally grew as a small fishing village and was relatively isolated from the rest of Gosport town. However, the area was vitally important during the preparations and embarkations associated with Operation Overlord during the Second World War.

In 1642 came civil war between King and Parliament. Gosport supported Parliament, while Portsmouth supported the king. Parliamentary soldiers laid siege to Portsmouth. They set up guns at Gosport roughly where the bus station is today, behind a protective screen of logs, and bombarded Portsmouth, which soon surrendered.

In the 18th century, Gosport had 3 main streets, North Street, Middle Street (High Street), and South Street, with minor streets running across them. In Middle Street stood Market House. This building was on stilts. The council met in the building and a market was held underneath.

In the 1850s a ring of forts was built from Portsdown Hill to Fareham to Gosport in case the French landed somewhere along the coast of Southern England and tried to attack Portsmouth overland. Two forts, Gilkicker and Elson were built in 1858. Fort Gomer (now demolished) and forts Rowner, Brockhurst, and Grange were built in 1862.

At the time of the first census in 1801, Gosport had a population of over 7,000. By 1821 the population had reached 10,342 and by 1851 it was 16,908. Most of the inhabitants lived within the old walls and Gosport was becoming very overcrowded.