Walk With Horton: Spice Island — The Hidden History of Old Portsmouth

Today, Old Portsmouth is one of the most attractive and historic parts of the city.

Visitors stroll along the harbour, fishing boats still use the Camber, and the sea remains at the heart of everyday life.

But for centuries, this area around the Town Camber — known as The Point — had a very different character.

Lying just outside the town's defensive walls, it developed a reputation as a lively and sometimes unruly place, closely connected with the sea and the people who earned their living from it.

Sailors arrived from distant ports.

Smugglers used the creeks and channels of the coast.

Press gangs operated in Portsmouth during periods of naval conflict.

And gambling houses and inns served those passing through the harbour.

Some believe this colourful past led to the area becoming known as Spice Island, although exactly how the name originated remains uncertain.

A changing landscape

Much has changed.

The sailmakers, chandlers, engineering works and power station have gone.

But the fishing boats remain, and visitors continue to be drawn to the atmosphere and history of Old Portsmouth.

The sea is still here.

The harbour is still here.

And so are the stories.

Inspiration for crime fiction

Places like this are irresistible to a crime writer.

They have layers.

History beneath history.

Questions beneath the surface.

Walking around Old Portsmouth, I often find myself wondering:

Who walked these streets before us?

What happened here?

What secrets remain hidden?

Those questions have helped shape the atmosphere of my DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mysteries.

Because crime fiction, like history, is often about uncovering hidden stories.

And few places have more stories to tell than Old Portsmouth.

Watch my Walk With Horton video