It is 1813 — and England is at war.

Step into the narrow smuggler alleyways of Spice Island, where professional actors bring Old Portsmouth's Georgian criminal underworld to life around you. Rival gangs compete for the trade of sailors disembarking from Nelson's fleet. Ale houses and “cat” houses line every corner. And on these streets, people disappeared — never to be seen again.

The Portsmouth Ghost Walk is the South Coast's only fully actor-led ghost tour, delivered by Theatre of Dark Encounters — Portsmouth's original ghost walk company, operating since 2004. This isn't a guided walk with a lantern: it's up to 90 minutes of immersive dark theatre, staged in the streets where the history actually happened.

Starting at the historic Square Tower on Broad Street, you'll walk through Old Portsmouth's most haunted locations, hear true stories of murder, smuggling and unexplained disappearances, and be drawn into the storytelling yourself through group participation.

Suitable for ages 12 and over. Not suitable for those who prefer a quiet or purely historical tour — this experience is lively, theatrical, and interactive.