Notes: The terminus was built after considerable negotiation with the Board of Ordnance, which argued that the site, just outside a main gate in the Gosport Lines ramparts, could compromise the Portsmouth Harbour defences. The buildings were designed to be defensible, with surrounding railings and a roof parapet. The terminus was designed by William Tite in

The station, fronts onto Spring Garden Lane having a masonry wall flanked with railings and a pair of substantial gate posts with wrought iron gates. A stationmaster's house is incorporated into the end of the building. There were two platforms, the south platform was used almost exclusively for passengers and incorporated the booking office, ladies waiting

There were numerous sidings on both side of the line with those on the up side used mainly for coal which accounted for the majority of freight traffic serving 10 local coal merchants. The station also carried ongoing freight traffic to the Isle of Wight. There was also considerable naval and military traffic.

The station was given great impetus during World War I as Gosport's role as Victualler to the Navy increased. There was in influx of supplies to and from Royal Clarence Yard, and also large numbers of troop movements and the transportation of the wounded en route to Haslar Hospital.

After the First World War rail traffic decreased, but with the coming of the World War II the station saw much military activity again, including supplies, hospital trains and trains carrying prisoners of war on their way to a local internment camp. On the night of 10 March 1941 the station received a direct incendiary hit from an aerial attack, the main damage being to the roofing

After the war Gosport station's role again diminished. In 1950 there were weekday down trains from Alton and 5 up trains with no Sunday service and a further 4 down trains and 3 up trains from Eastleigh. On 6 June 1953 scheduled passenger services from Gosport ceased. Freight traffic remained until 30 January 1969, but then the station closed to all regular traffic although a private siding remained in use after that date.

The county council acquired the Grade II* listed station in 1972. Since that time, the council restored the railings along Spring Garden Lane and carried out maintenance of the buildings and grounds. However, the loss of the roof meant the brick and stonework was exposed and the condition of the buildings deteriorated. After remaining derelict for 37 years,

A few offices being created in the area of the original station managers accommodation with flats in the rest of the main building and residences created on the opposite platform. The area between the platforms is now a ‘common garden’ area for the development. The development comprises
1 - 17 The old Railway and 1 - 12 Lock Terrace.

BRIEF HISTORY OF FAREHAM - GOSPORT LINE A railway to Gosport was first promoted in 1836 as part of a plan by the London and Southampton Railway to connect Portsmouth to London. There was strong opposition from local residents to the building of a branch line into Portsmouth for a line that was destined for Southampton, such was the

The line opened on 29th November 1841. Gosport station was first used by the Royal Family on 8th October 1843 when Prince Albert arrived at Gosport by train to greet the King Louis - Phillipe of France. Queen Victoria came to the station six days later when she accompanied the King on his return to France. The following year the Queen purchased the Osborne

By 1900 passenger numbers were in decline due in part to the competition from street tramways but with the coming of WW1 rail traffic quickly improved with supplies to and from the Royal Clarence Yard and large numbers of troop movements including the transportation of the wounded soldiers to Haslar Hospital in Gosport.

After the war, the line was again in decline and in 1934 the twin track to Fareham was singled leaving only a passing loop at Brockhurst; a rubber tyred, petrol engine, rail bus was introduced in 1937 as a further economy measure. Despite the lack of passengers, goods traffic on the line remained heavy and was increasing up to the start of WW2. During the war the

For other stations on the Fareham - Gosport branch click on the station name: Fareham, Fort Brockhurst & Gosport Clarence Yard

For other stations on the Lee-on-the-Solent branch click on the station name: Fort Gomer Halt, Browndown Halt, Elmore Halt,
Lee-on-the-Solent

See also the Stokes Bay and Gosport Road & Alverstoke