The Hard

Street guide, Portsea

The Hard is the waterfront road and open area that serves as the principal transport interchange for Portsea. Its name comes from the hard landing place, a firm stretch of foreshore where boats could be beached and passengers could embark and disembark at any state of the tide. The Hard has been a place of activity and arrival for centuries. Today it is flanked by Portsmouth Harbour railway station to the west, the Gosport Ferry terminal, and bus stops serving multiple routes. To the south lies the entrance to Gunwharf Quays, and to the north the visitor entrance to the Historic Dockyard. The Hard is therefore the point through which the great majority of visitors to Portsea's attractions pass. The Bridge Tavern, a well-known harbourside pub, overlooks the water. Recent redesign work has improved the pedestrian environment and created better connections between the various transport modes. On busy summer days and during events, The Hard can become very crowded as visitors converge from all directions.