Free Entry
Friday 11-4, Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 1-4, April - 27 October. Open on Remembrance Sunday 3 Nov 10am- 3pm
Address:
Penny Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2NJ
Royal Garrison Church was built in about 1212 by the Bishop of Winchester as part of a hospital and hostel for pilgrims. Used as an ammunition store after the Reformation, it became part of the governor of Portsmouth’s house during Elizabeth I’s reign. The church was restored in the 19th century, and although the nave was badly damaged in a 1941 firebomb raid on Portsmouth, the chancel is still roofed and furnished. Fine 20th-century stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Second World War and from the church’s own history.
Read more about the history of Royal Garrison Church.
Before You Go
Parking: There is short-stay, roadside parking adjacent to the church. There is also a charged car park within a minute from the site, not managed by English Heritage.
Opening Times: Royal Garrison Church is open from 1st April Friday, Saturday, from 11am - 4pm, and Sunday 1pm-4pm from April until 27 October. The Church is open on Remembrance Sunday 3 Nov 10am - 3pm. The site is closed from October until March. View details.
Access: Parts of the site are wheelchair accessible.
Dogs: Dogs on leads welcome. Assistance dogs only in the chancel.
Drone flying: English Heritage does not permit drone flying from or over sites in our care, except by contractors or partners undertaking flights for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and permissions, and are operating under controlled conditions. Please see our drone filming guidelines for more details, or email our Filming team.
Plan a Great Day Out
Make the most of your day in Portsmouth by including a walk around the town to view the King James's and Landport Gates.
You could also visit Fort Brockhurst, a largely unaltered example of a fort built in the 1850s to protect Portsmouth against French invasion. Please check the opening hours before you visit as they are limited.
Or why not follow the history of the impressive Portchester Castle. An exhibition in the Keep includes finds excavated on the site and the audio tour explains life in the castle from the point of view of people who worked or were imprisoned there. Finish up your visit with a picnic in the castle grounds or on the shore of the Solent, and don't forget to browse in the gift shop.