Gosport is an ancient Hampshire borough that borders the Solent – the sheltered part of the English Channel that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland, an area vital in Britain’s defence. Geographically unique and home to many historically important buildings, it is no surprise that this Heritage Action Zone, recognised by Historic England in 2019, has drawn the attention of civic associations such as The Gosport Society, government agencies, and preservation and restoration property groups such as the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.Working in conjunction with the Gosport Borough Council and other private and public sector interests, they aim to record, restore and re-purpose these historic sites for generations to come. In Gosport: Conservation and Heritage, local authors – experts in the fields of urban and natural restoration, history and heritage – have come together to tell the fascinating 800-year-old story of a maritime town inescapably connected with the defence of the realm.