The White Swan

This well-known, mock-Tudor-style building was designed, in 1916, by AH Bone. Bone's building replaced an earlier public house on the same site, thought to have been built in the mid 17th century. In the early 1700s, it was known as 'The Tavern' and stood just outside the old town walls, by the Landport Gate. In 1772, it was purchased by a Mr Simon Boyes, for 270 guineas, and recorded in the sale of deeds as 'The White Swan Tavern'. The tavern was located in an area known as 'Swan Fields'. Swans were plentiful in this vicinity, making use of the extensive ponds which once existed here. By the 19th century, 'Swan Fields' had become a triangular plot, facing the old tavern, and was chosen as the site for Portsmouth's new waterworks.