Monument MPM1721 - 16th century Tunnel, Grand Parade

Excavations in an area of land to the south-west of the Garrison Church in 1972 revealed a mid-late 16th century tunnel. This was a solid structure, 1.4m high inside, with a paved floor, running horizontally east-west. It is thought that the tunnel ran from the Governor's House, but it is not known where it ended. The tunnel was revealed to the south of what were thought to be the remains of the perimeter wall to the Governor's House and an associated bastion like outwork (see MPM14), and was contemporary with these structures. The tunnel cut the original medieval shoreline. [1]

Fragments of painted glass were recovered from a shallow pit situated beside the tunnel. [1]


It has been suggested that the tunnel found in 1972 and a second tunnel found within the footway east of 13 and 14 Grand Parade in 2010 [MPM1196] may have been part of a drainage system. [2]

Accession number: 1973/997

<1> Fox, R, 1972?, Archaeological Excavations at Grand Parade Old Portsmouth 1972 (Unpublished document). SPM367.

<2> Cottrell, P R, 2011, Archaeological Watching Brief at Grand Parade, Portsmouth (Unpublished document). SPM170.