Construction of the Gosport Lines

1756-1770

Between 1756 and 1770, the Gosport Lines were constructed, a continuous defensive rampart and ditch encircling the landward side of the town. The Lines were built on the orders of the Board of Ordnance to protect the town and its military installations from attack by a land force that might have crossed the harbour or landed on the Solent coast. The defences comprised an earthen rampart, a deep ditch, and bastions at regular intervals, stretching from the harbour shore on the east to Forton Lake on the west. The construction required considerable labour and expense, and the completed works represented one of the most extensive urban fortification schemes in England. The Lines had the practical effect of defining the boundaries of the town for over a century, as development could not easily extend beyond the ramparts. Gates controlled access, and the military presence was constant. The Lines were never tested in battle, as no invasion materialised, but they shaped the physical form of the town and reinforced its garrison character. Remnants of the Lines survive in several places, particularly in the parks and open spaces that have replaced sections of the old defences.

Context

The Seven Years' War with France prompted renewed investment in the defence of Portsmouth Harbour and its associated installations.

Impact

The Gosport Lines physically contained the town's growth for over a century and reinforced the military character that pervaded every aspect of civic life.