THE OLDEST HOSTELRY IN SOUTHSEA
 
Dr. HENRY SLIGHT writing in 1828 says
Twenty five years since the whole site of SOUTHSEA
was occupied by field and gardens there was but one house
and a cottage or barn called the WHEELBARROW CASTLE
 
Two stories are told to account for the name
One is that during a great storm when the sea broke
through the embankment near the CASTLE a number
of barrows which had been stored at the house were
loaded with earth and gravel and dumped into the breach
 
The other is that the house or cottage was a favourite
stopping place for OFFICERS on their way to the
CASTLE after a gay night in town and those who were
unable to walk across the COMMON were trundled
home in barrows which were kept for the purpose
 
It is a historical fact that when the CASTLE was
captured by the PARLIAMENTARIANS in 1642
CHALLONER the GOVERNOR had previously
returned to the CASTLE very much in drink


Photo courtesy of Patricia Lovell c1980
portsmouth memorials

Copyright: Wheelbarrow 2008