Name
Portchester is derived from its former Latin name Portus Adurni and the Old English suffix ''ceaster'' ("fort; fortified town"), itself derived from the Latin word “castrum.”History
The fort of Portus Adurni is considered the best-preserved Roman fort north of the Alps. It is sometimes identified as the ''Caer Peris''Nennius (). Theodor Mommsen (). s:la:Historia Brittonum#VI. CIVITATES BRITANNIAE, ''Historia Brittonum'', VI. Composed after AD 830. Hosted at s:la:Main Page, Latin Wikisource. listed by the 9th-century ''Historia Brittonum, History of the Britons'' as among the 28 civitas, cities of Sub-Roman Britain, Britain.Ford, David Nash.Amenities
As well as the castle, its parish church is listed as a Grade I protected building. There are also many historic houses in Castle Street. This suburb is well placed for waterfront leisure activities, only a short distance from the UK's 3rd-largest marina at Port Solent, from the historic city of Portsmouth, and from the market town of Fareham.Public open spaces
* Portchester Castle * Portsdown Hill - Including Portchester Common a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) * Wicor Recreation Ground - Home to A.F.C. Portchester and Wicor Skate Park.Schools
* Portchester Community School, a mixed comprehensive community school for 11- to 16-year-olds. * Wicor Primary School * Northern Infant School * Northern Junior School * Red Barn Primary School * Castle Primary SchoolCrematorium
Opened in 1958, it is on the lower slopes of Portsdown Hill. It is owned by a Joint Committee representing the City of Portsmouth and the Boroughs of Fareham, Havant and Gosport. It has two chapels, the North (added 1969) and South (original). Those cremated there include two World War I Victoria Cross recipients, Norman Augustus Finch and James Ockendon who both died in 1966.Sport and leisure
Portchester has a Non-League football club A.F.C. Portchester, which plays at Wicor Recreation Ground.Notable residents
*Neil Astley, publisher and founding editor of Bloodaxe Books, born in Portchester *Emily Farmer, watercolour painter *Neil Gaiman, author, born in Portchester *Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive, Virgin Atlantic Airways *Mike Hancock (UK politician), Mike Hancock, former MP for Portsmouth South and former Councillor for Fratton ward, has lived here for over 30 years *Harry Davis, Councillor for Portchester East, Fareham Borough CouncilTransport
Rail
Portchester railway station is managed and operated by South Western Railway (train operating company), South Western Railway with frequent Southern (train operating company), Southern Railway services. Services run along the coast to Southampton Central railway station, Southampton, Fareham railway station, Fareham, Portsmouth Harbour railway station, Portsmouth, Havant railway station, Havant, Chichester railway station, Chichester and Brighton railway station, Brighton. London services to London Waterloo railway station, London Waterloo (via Fareham) and London Victoria railway station, London Victoria (via Barnham) also stop at the station.Bus services
First Hampshire & Dorset services to Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham, Titchfield, Locks Heath and Warsash.Road
The A27 road cuts through the centre of Portchester running east/west between Fareham and Cosham on the northern outskirts of Portsmouth. Access to the M27 motorway is via Junction 11 at Fareham or Junction 12 at Port Solent.See also
*A.F.C. Portchester *List of places of worship in the Borough of Fareham *Portchester Community SchoolReferences
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