​Welcome to Walpole Park – From Military Ground to Cultural Heart of Gosport!​

The Gosport Marine Festival Heritage Trail invites you to explore six key locations, each rich with local stories, maritime heritage, and the creative energy of Gosport’s people.

​Walpole Park is a historic and much-loved public green space at the center of Gosport, Hampshire. With its wide open lawns, tree-lined pathways, and proximity to the waterfront, it offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat steeped in local history.

Military Origins
The origins of Walpole Park trace back to the 19th century, when the area—then known as the Horsefield—was part of a strategic open ground reserved for military use. It lay within the “field-of-fire” of the Gosport Lines, a system of 18th-century fortifications built to protect the town and Portsmouth Harbour from landward attack. As such, the land had to remain undeveloped to preserve a clear line of sight for defensive artillery fire. The site was used by the British Army for training purposes, particularly for exercising cavalry horses, giving rise to the name “Horsefield.” Its military significance began to wane toward the end of the 19th century as Gosport’s role evolved from a fortified garrison town to a more civilian-oriented settlement.

Public Park and Civic Transformation
In 1869, as the defensive function of the Gosport Lines became obsolete, the land was formally opened as Walpole Park—named after the influential Walpole family and aligning with a broader Victorian movement to create public parks for health, leisure, and social cohesion.

Over the following decades, Walpole Park developed into an essential green space for local residents, featuring ornamental trees, formal paths, and open recreational areas. It has hosted countless community events, civic ceremonies, and moments of reflection.

Cultural and Musical Legacy
Walpole Park’s legacy extends beyond its heritage into the cultural life of Gosport. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the park became a key venue for the Gosport & Fareham Music Festival and other major outdoor events. It hosted internationally renowned artists, including:
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• B.B. King – the legendary blues guitarist and singer 
• Roger Taylor of Queen – who performed here with his solo project

These festivals brought national attention to Gosport and transformed the park into a major cultural stage, drawing thousands of visitors and highlighting its versatility as both a historic and contemporary venue.

30 years on from the 1994 Festival, this film combines interviews, archival footage, and firsthand accounts to create a snapshot of a moment in time and preserve a slice of local history. 

Gosport festivals, held between 1991 and 1996, were some of the biggest musical events in Hampshire and hosted major artists covering blues, rock, jazz, classical, world and roots music.

​At the time Gosport outshone many of its neighbours as one of the major destinations on the south coast for outdoor music festivals.

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Walpole Park Today
Walpole Park remains a beloved part of Gosport’s identity. It is regularly used for picnics, casual sports, family outings, and town events.

The park connects directly with Cockle Pond to the south, but its character is distinct—more open, landscaped, and suited to gatherings and strolling. Modern enhancements like improved pathways, signage, and a text spiral installation at the new entrance celebrate the park’s journey from military ground to a shared public haven.

​Whether visiting for its history, tranquility, or community spirit, Walpole Park continues to serve as a living symbol of Gosport’s transformation and resilience.

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Gosport Marine Festival Heritage Trail is part of Hampshire Cultural Trust’s ‘Gosport Heritage Generator’ which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Gosport Borough Council.