Buckland, Portsmouth facts for kids

Buckland is a neighborhood in the city of Portsmouth, England. It is located in the county of Hampshire. Buckland is a place where many people live.

A Look Back in Time

Early Days

Buckland has a long history. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. This was a very old survey of England. Back then, it was called Bocheland. It was one of three main settlements on Portsea Island.

Later, a Norman lord named Jean de Gisors bought the land. In 1180, he founded the city of Portsmouth. He built it on land at the southern end of Buckland.

World War II and Rebuilding

During the Second World War, Buckland was heavily bombed. Many homes were destroyed. After the war, much of the remaining housing was old and run-down. So, large parts of Buckland were pulled down. New homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s. These were mostly social housing.

Charles Dickens' Birthplace

The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in Buckland. He was born in 1812. His father moved to Portsmouth for work. He worked at the Naval Base. He bought a house in an area called Newtown.

The house where Charles Dickens was born is now a museum. It is on Old Commercial Road. This street has many old Georgian and Victorian homes. Many of these are listed buildings.

Buckland Today

Where is Buckland?

Buckland does not have an official border. But local people usually describe its edges. To the north is Kingston Crescent. To the east is Kingston Road. Lake Road is to the south. Mile End Road is to the west.

Buildings and Homes

Some of the tallest buildings in Buckland are Barkis and Nickelby houses. They are 17 stories high. Pickwick and Copperfield houses are also tall. They are 11 stories high. Blackwood and Brisbane houses are six stories high. They are near the busy M275 Mile End Road.

These buildings have been used for social housing. This means they provide homes for people who need them. Buckland now has many types of homes. There are terraced houses. There are also modern two-floor houses. Some flats are built with two floors each. Most homes are in good condition.

On the western side of Buckland is the Buckland wall. These are housing blocks built in the 1970s. They were designed by W.D. Warden. He was the city architect at the time.

Schools and Local Spots

The Flying Bull Primary and Nursery School serves the Buckland area. It provides education for younger children. In the far northwest of Buckland, there is a building. It used to be a pub called the Air Ballon.