Whale Island

Whale Island lies in Portsmouth Harbour, connected by road bridges to Portsea Island and the mainland. It is a small, reclaimed landmass built largely from harbour dredgings in the 19th century. The island’s shape changed dramatically after the Napoleonic Wars, when prisoners helped enlarge it by about 125%. A viaduct constructed in 1867 moved spoil from dockyard dredging and created the island as it appears today. Much of the original railway track used for spoil distribution remains buried beneath modern roads. The island has long served the Royal Navy. HMS Excellent, the oldest shore training establishment, has been based there since the mid-19th century. The Navy Command Headquarters is also located on Whale Island. In 1885 the Gun Drill Battery and Summer Parade Ground replaced three rifle ranges. From 1916 the island housed the Anti-Aircraft Experimental Section, testing early air-defence systems. Visitors cannot enter the active naval base, but occasional open days allow limited access. The Quarterdeck building, dating from 1888, displays historical photographs of the island’s development. A small road-bridge now links Whale Island to Stamshaw on Portsea Island. The gun carriage used in British state funerals is maintained here, reflecting the island’s ceremonial role within the armed forces.