Portsmouth is the setting for this round, which follows the actual streets and layout of the city. The course uses real attractions like the Spinnaker Tower to form the holes. Skip knows every nook and cranny of the place, even the best spots for a crumb. This quick round of 9 holes covers 4.1 mi and makes use of 16 portals.
You can't miss the massive wooden hull of HMS Victory. This 104-gun first-rate wooden sailing ship of the line is a sight to behold, standing at a height of 62.5 meters. To build a ship of this scale, construction required 6,000 trees. If you look closely at the timber, you'll see that 90% of those trees were oak. The process of bringing her to life was a long one; she was ordered for the Royal Navy in 1758, laid down in 1759, and finally floated out in 1765. I've seen plenty of things float in the harbor, but nothing quite matches the presence of this ship. It is the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission, making it a rare survivor of the age of sail.
This isn't a ship's mast, though it looks like one. It is actually the Spinnaker Tower, an observation tower located in Portsmouth, England. The tower's design was chosen by Portsmouth residents in a 1998 public poll, and the structure's inception followed in 2005. Reaching 170 metres high, it provides a massive vantage point over the city and the coast. I've seen plenty of things from the air, but the view from the top of this one is something else. Visitors can head up to one of the three viewing platforms to see the area from different heights. These platforms are situated at 100 m, 105 m and 110 m. It's a great spot to get your bearings before you head back down to the streets.
Heading over to Gosport, you will find Fort Blockhouse, a former military establishment and scheduled monument. The site began as a blockhouse in 1431, and by the 19th century, it was part of a set of fortifications that encircled much of the area. It is a place with a long history of defense, though its role shifted significantly over time. For most of the 20th century, the fort was known as HMS Dolphin and functioned as the home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service. This naval presence continued to evolve until the mid-1960s, when the final submarine base structures were added to the site. I've noticed the area has a very distinct atmosphere compared to the main city center.
Over in Gosport, you can find the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, where the Holland 1 is currently on display. This submarine is a significant piece of naval history as it was the first one owned by the Royal Navy. It is a strange feeling to stand beside her knowing she spent decades at the bottom of the sea; she was lost in 1913 while being towed to be scrapped after her decommissioning. She was finally recovered in 1982. If you look closely at the technical side of the vessel, you can pick out the battery bank. When that bank was found in the boat, it was discovered to be functional after being cleaned and recharged. I've seen a lot of things in this harbor, but a battery that still works after all that time is a real marvel.
The Royal Garrison Church is a church building located in Old Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. When you visit, you will see a site that is both a Grade II listed building and a scheduled monument. It is currently an English Heritage property. The history of the location is tied to its former identity as Domus Dei. Before it was known as the Royal Garrison Church, Domus Dei functioned as an almshouse and hospice. These details make the site an important point of interest for those visiting the Old Portsmouth area. Whether you are interested in the architectural status of the building or its previous role as a place of care and shelter, the site provides a direct link to the past of the region.
Let me show you Clarence Pier. It is an amusement park and pier located in Portsmouth, Hampshire. While many piers are designed to lead you deep into the ocean, this one does not extend very far out to sea. Instead, the layout of the pier goes along the coast. If you are navigating the area or looking for a way to orient yourself, you can pick out the pier right next to Southsea Hoverport. I have noticed it is a great spot for people-watching from the air, though I usually keep my distance from the louder rides. It is a bright, bustling part of the city that provides a distinct change of pace from the surrounding streets, whether you are there for the games or just to enjoy the salt air.
The Romanesque Revival architecture of the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is a prominent feature in the centre of Old Portsmouth. Commonly known as Portsmouth Cathedral, this Anglican cathedral has its inception in 1180. It is the seat of the Bishop of Portsmouth and has been the cathedral of the Diocese of Portsmouth since 1935. Visitors can see the scale of the structure, which reaches a height of 36.9 meters. Because of its historical and architectural importance, the building is a Grade I listed building. This site is a significant landmark in the heart of the city, providing a sense of the region's long ecclesiastical history and the evolution of its religious leadership over the centuries.
You will first notice the massive iron hull of HMS Warrior, an ironclad warship and independent museum. Built for the Royal Navy between 1859 and 1861, she represents a shift in naval power. This 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate spent her active career with the Channel Squadron before being placed in reserve in 1875. I always think it is interesting that she didn't just stay in port; she conducted a publicity tour of Great Britain in 1863. After years of service, she was decommissioned in 1883. Today, you can walk the decks of a vessel that changed how navies approached armor and propulsion. It is a rare chance to see a ship of this scale and material preserved for the public to explore in the harbor.
Sculptural elements by Charles Sargeant Jagger define the physical presence of the Portsmouth War Memorial. Located in Guildhall Square in the centre of Portsmouth, Hampshire, this cenotaph is a First World War memorial. It is a Grade II* listed building that stands as a site of remembrance for the city. The project was started in 1921 and involved the work of architects James Glen Sivewright Gibson and Walter Symington Athol Gordon. Visitors to the city centre will find the memorial positioned within the open space of the square, where the sculptural details and the architecture of the cenotaph combine to create a focused point of reflection. The collaboration between the listed architects and the sculptor provides a specific historical record of the memorial's design and its purpose in commemorating the First World War.
The Italianate architecture style defines the exterior of St Agatha's, a church building located on the Marketway next to the Cascades Shopping Centre. It is a parish church in the Landport district of Portsmouth. Started in 1894, the building was constructed between 1893 and 1895 for the Church of England. Joseph Henry Ball was the architect responsible for the design. Today, the building is Grade II* listed and is affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church through the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Visitors can observe the specific architectural choices made by Ball during the construction period in the late nineteenth century. This site remains a significant landmark within the Landport district, positioned directly alongside the modern shopping centre on the Marketway.