North End, Hampshire facts for kids

The Montague Burton Building at the corner of London Road in North End

North End is a busy area, or district, in the city of Portsmouth. It's located on Portsea Island in Hampshire, England. This area grew quickly after a horse-drawn tram line started running between Portsmouth and Cosham. Today, North End is mostly homes, with many buildings from the late Victorian era and early 1900s.

What's in a Name?

North End got its name because it was the "northern end" of what used to be the village of Kingston. So, it literally means the north part of Kingston!

A Look at North End's Past

The Former Odeon Cinema at 94 London Road, seen in 2019

North End was built on land that used to be Stubbington Farm. You can still find a street called Stubbington Avenue there today. Many of the houses around the Laburnum Grove area were built in the late 1890s. Some of these homes were decorated with special tiles.

The Odeon cinema opened in 1936. It was built in a cool style called Art Deco. This cinema was a well-known building in the area until it closed in 2008. The front part of the building later became a discount store, then a Sainsbury's Local supermarket. After that, it became a Polish supermarket. The main cinema hall was left empty and later approved for demolition to make way for new homes. Building work started there in 2023.

Where is North End?

North End is surrounded by other areas of Portsmouth. To the west is Stamshaw, to the south are Buckland and Kingston. To the east is Copnor, and to the north is Hilsea.

North End is part of the Portsmouth North area for the UK Parliament.

Shopping and Fun in North End

North End has many different shops, from small local stores to bigger supermarkets. You can also find various places to eat fast food.

There is a public library near the corner of North End and Gladys Avenue, which is a great place to find books and learn new things.

Schools in North End

Stamshaw Infants School on North End Avenue

Stamshaw Junior School is a school for older primary students on North End Avenue.

Meredith Infant School and Isambard Kingdom Brunel Middle School used to be in North End. They closed in 2009 and later joined with New Horizons Primary School on Portchester Road.

Churches in North End

North End Baptist Church

North End has several churches:

• St Mark, Portsea: This Anglican church is on Derby Road. The original church was built in 1874, but it was rebuilt in the late 1960s.
• The Church of the Ascension: Also an Anglican church, it is located on Stubbington Avenue.
• Corpus Christi and St Joseph: This is a Roman Catholic church on Gladys Avenue. It was built between 1892 and 1904.
• North End Baptist Church: This church is on Powerscourt Road. There was another Baptist church on London Road that closed in 2001. That building is now a public house (a pub) and a Darts lounge.