This film is part of Free

A Visit to Portchester Castle

Join the Pesketts as they visit the ancient ruins of Portchester Castle - which despite being in ruins, still commands Portsmouth's natural harbour

Amateur film 1946 3 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for Wessex Film and Sound Archive

Overview

Archibald Peskett's film starts at the gate of the Norman castle, the most prominent part of the ancient site. A man is seen walking along the outer bailey and from the castle's battlements, we see the village of Portchester as well as boats stranded at low tide in Portsmouth harbour. Following more scenes of the Peskett family walking about the site, the films ends with a view of the castle from the tidal mudflats.

Archibald Peskett, better known as Archie, was a tailor at Gieves and Hawkes Naval Outfitters in Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Portsmouth Film Society and many of his films display a high degree of technical and artistic skill.