A Guide to Houses Portsmouth

Looking to buy or rent houses Portsmouth offers something to suit all budgets.  Whether it’s a luxury waterfront apartment, urban terraced housing, modern or Victorian family homes or a supported housing scheme that you’re after, Portsmouth is a great place to settle.

Portsmouth is situated on Portsea Island, a land area of approximately 10 square miles.  The tidal channel separating the city from the mainland is crossed by three road bridges so while Portsmouth remains completely accessible, you are never far from the water giving a unique feel to this city. As a town Portsmouth has existed for over 800 years and is most famous for its naval connections.  The range of housing on offer reflects this steep history.

The beginning of the 19th century saw the first real growth of housing across Portsea Island together with the development of the seaside resort of Southsea to the south of the island.

By the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 the majority of the island land had been used, apart from small areas reserved for military purposes and parks. However due to its military importance as home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth was attacked heavily during World War Two. This led to many post war housing projects and areas such as Paulsgrove to the north of the island were developed, other large areas of the city were rebuilt.

More recently Portsmouth has undergone heavy investment with redevelopment of waterfront areas such as Gunwharf Quays and planned development of the Northern Quarter on the Old Tricorn Centre site. The mixture of architectural styles is evidence in houses Portsmouth today.

Houses Portsmouth by Area

Portsea

Mostly terraces and flats with some newer property developments such as Admiralty Quarter with luxury apartments ranging from studios to three beds.
Buyers - young professionals and couples wanting to be at the heart of things.

Gunwharf Quays

Plenty of trendy apartments and penthouses with stunning views over the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight.
Buyers – trendy and well-paid professionals after an up-market, ultra-modern apartment

Old Portsmouth

Elegant and well-maintained period four and five storey townhouses and terraces some of which have been converted into flats. Modern apartments and townhouses also blend in well with the older properties.  In the The Inner Camber area by the water’s edge there are lovely 90s-built townhouses, masionettes and flats with privately owned boats moored in the inner marina.
Buyers – Portsmouth’s wealthier inhabitants who want to be fairly close to things without being right in the middle of it.

Southsea

A large residential district, with everything housing-wise.  There are many grand Victorian terraces and townhouses, a large number of which have been converted into flats and guesthouses.
There are also some substantial semi and detached houses near the seafront.  Southsea has a high proportion of terraced homes and converted and purpose built flats.  Somerstown, the council estate to the north of Southsea has a lot of high-rise tower blocks and is considered one of the more deprived parts of the city.
Buyers - Young professionals, buy-to-let investors, and plenty of renting Portsmouth University students.

Eastney

Lots of terraced housing, some semis and detached properties and a few new developments.
Buyers – couples, families with grown-up kids, singletons.

Milton

Mostly terraced housing ranging from large five bedrooms properties to the more common two and three bed varieties.
Some family friendly modern three bed semis and townhouses, plus apartment complexes.
Buyers – Popular with families, first-time buyers and buy-to-let investors who rent to students and hospital staff.

Baffins

Mainly 30s family housing consisting of terraces and semis.
Buyers – mainly families.

Fratton

Mostly terraces and purpose built flats.
Buyers – More deprived so prices are feasible for first-time buyers. Ideal for supporters of Portsmouth FC.

Kingston

Mostly 50s and 60s built post-war housing.
Buyers – ex-council tenants, first-time buyers.

Buckland & Landport

Social housing from the 50s and 60s, mostly narrow terraced homes and purpose-built flats. Includes the Charles Dickens Estate, which has a mix of owner-occupiers and council tenants.
Buyers – first-time buyers, ex-council tenants.

Stamshaw & Tipnor

Terraced housing built for dockyard workers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and former council housing.
Buyers - ex-council tenants and families.

North End

Some semis, flats and flat conversions but mostly late 19th and early 20th century terraces
Buyers – Family orientated and flat conversions are popular with renters.

Copnor

Mostly terraces, some flat conversions.
Buyers – mainly familes.

Hilsea

Terraced housing, detached, semis and flats, both purpose-built and converted. , Modern housing estate in Anchorage Park with townhouses, terraces and apartments.
Buyers – families and first-time buyers, workers at the industrial estates.

Port Solent

Maisonettes, townhouses and apartments set around an attractive marina.
Buyers – fans of waterfront homes with the necessary funds.

Portsmouth Estate Agents

Whether you are planning to buy or rent one of the many houses Portsmouth estate agents are plentiful.  Portsmouth is well served by local and national estate agents.  Here’s a selection:

• Jeffries & Partners
  www.jeffries.co.uk – 023 9236 1111
• Pearsons Estate Agents
  www.pearsons.com – 023 9229 7878
• Your Move
  www.your-move.co.uk – 023 9282 0701
• Braeburn Independent Estate Agents
  www.braeburns.co.uk – 023 9269 1111
• Abba Lettings
  www.abbalettings.co.uk – 07771 922 450
• Cosgroves
  www.cosgroves.co.uk – 023 9282 7827
• Fry & Kent
  www.fryandkent.com – 023 92009800
• Baker & Elder (023) 9388 0092
• Mann Countrywide (023) 9388 0050
• Taylors (023) 9388 0081
• Brewers (023) 9388 0086
• PTF (023) 9388 0131
• Parkinsons (023) 9388 0054
• Fox & Sons (023) 9229 0089
• Waterside Properties (023) 9388 0117
• Chapplins (023) 9388 0078
• Mann Countrywide (023) 9388 0051
• Mitchell & Perryer (023) 9388 0105

Houses Portsmouth Available Now

Also check out the local newspapers in your search for houses Portsmouth:

• The News – published daily with a property special on Wednesdays.
• The Journal  -Portsmouth and Southsea – Free Weekly paper

Good luck in your search for houses Portsmouth!