Portsmouth City Museum Portsmouth City Museum, Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ, UK

Portsmouth Museum is a local museum in Museum Road in the city of Portsmouth, southern England.

Artist Edward King was a patient at St James' Hospital in Portsmouth from 1926 until his death in 1951 aged 89. He continued to paint and documented the hospital grounds, the houseboats at nearby Milton Locks and the aftermath of the bomb damage from the Blitz in the city. This new display includes around 70 paintings plus photographs, archival material and objects from Portsmouth's museum collections.

Due to the continued generosity of our museum visitors we have, in the past few months, been able to raise over £2000 in public donations.

This funding has given us the opportunity to have five oil paintings (below) by the esteemed artist Edward King, cleaned and treated.

Susan Ward, Curator of Art, said: "The overwhelming support from the public has enabled us ensure the long-term preservation of these works of art which are so intrinsic to the history of Portsmouth."

Over the next few months the works will receive conservation treatment and we will keep you updated with images of the progress made.

Portsmouth's collections include many works of art that show people on the move.  In this selection of paintings, photographs and prints people use different types of transport to travel on land, by water and in the air.  Some pictures show recognisable places and familiar journeys - ferry trips on the Solent and people travelling around the city by bicycle or on foot.  Others depict less obvious journeys and are more open to interpretation.  So come on down to Portsmouth Museum and see where we can take you.

Portsmouth Museum explores different facets of Portsmouth’s rich and varied history – from the everyday to moments when the city has played its role in national and international events.  The city’s art and design collections are showcased here. The museum provides an excellent introduction to the city for visitors and its inviting spaces and events programme are popular with residents.

The museum with its turrets and pointed roofs - reminiscent of a fairy-tale castle - is in fact a former barracks. Its formally laid out, south-facing garden is used in the summer for events. The museum is home to a new Visitor Information point which means visitors can find out about the city’s wider cultural offer as well as booking accommodation and tickets to the city’s other cultural venues and attractions.

Opening Times

April - September: 10.00am - 5.30pm.

October - March: 10.00am - 5.00pm.

Open Tuesday-Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Closed on Mondays (except Bank Holidays).

Parking

Free car parking in the grounds of the museum. Coaches may park in St George's Road (100 yards from the museum).

Accessibility

Portsmouth Museum has a lift to all galleries on three floors (* See note below). Wheelchairs are available for use by visitors. Induction loops for hearing impaired visitors are installed in reception and the Victorian room setting. Accessible toilet and baby changing facility. Parking spaces for disabled visitors.

· Induction Loops
· Lift to all galleries (* See note below)
· Accessible toilet
· Wheelchairs available
· Parking spaces
· Lowered reception counters for wheelchair users

Information for Visitors with Mobility Impairments 

The First and Second Floors can be accessed by the lift. In the unlikely event of the Museum being evacuated and the lift being unavailable, visitors would have to descend using staircases.

Due to fire and safety procedures, visitors with a mobility impairment who cannot use the staircases are limited to one visitor at any time on the First and Second Floors. To facilitate your visit we have an Evac+Chair as well as a trained member of staff available. The visitor should be able to transfer themselves, or with the help of a carer, to the Evac+Chair and also not exceed 23 stone (146KG) in weight. 

If you have a condition that might restrict your ability to use the stairs in an emergency please mention this in confidence to a member of staff at the reception desk at the start of your visit. Arrangements can then be put in hand to ensure your speedy and safe evacuation should such an emergency occur.