Sea Defences

Some of the many thousands of huge rocks that have been brought in to make up part of the new sea defences being built along the Southsea waterfront, which are sorely needed. They're weathering nicely and it hasn't taken long for the seaweed to colonise them. Most of the rocks have been shipped in from Norway.

In the distance you can see Horse Sand Fort which is one of a series along this stretch of coast built to protect against an invasion by the French. Building work began in 1865 but by the time they had all been completed in 1880, the invasion threat had passed. During World War Two, they formed part of Portsmouth's coastal artillery defences.

Nowadays the forts are privately owned and some have been turned into luxury hotels and tourist resorts.

Some of the finished sea defences (including the new sea wall) can be seen in the PiP if you're interested. Work is still ongoing at the moment.