Royal Garrison Church, Portsmouth

Royal Garrison Church began around 1212 as part of a hospital and hostel for pilgrims founded by the Bishop of Winchester. Its later life included service as an ammunition store and a place of worship for Portsmouth's garrison, before a firebomb raid in 1941 destroyed the nave roof. The contrast between the open nave and furnished, roofed chancel makes the wartime damage particularly clear. Look for the twentieth-century stained glass, which tells stories from the church's history and the Second World War. Visitors praise the volunteers for bringing these changes to life and recommend checking the limited opening dates before setting out. Parts of the church are wheelchair accessible, and nearby parking is separate from the site. Dogs on leads may enter the permitted outdoor areas, while only assistance dogs are admitted to the chancel.