When Cosham had the feel of a calm, rural backwater

Two sets of '˜then and now' pictures today from the times when Cosham was little more than a large village on the northern outskirts of Portsmouth.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Jun 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:31 BST

Looking down Cosham High Street, about 1900

All four pictures were sent to me by George Midgley.

The top two look south down High Street and, it may just be me, but doesn’t the older photograph make the place seem so much more interesting?

There were lots of small independent shops, quite enough to make a shopping trip into the heart of Portsmouth a rare event.

The same view today down High Street, Cosham

In the second set of George’s pictures we have moved south and turned around to look north up High Street with the ridge of Portsdown Hill in the distance.

There is even more of a village feel about this one.

The Ship pub will bring back memories for many readers.

Both pictures are thought to have been taken about 1900.

Portsmouth Portsdown Hill