Castle Road Compass

Aim

Help us create the Castle Road Compass, a permanent public artwork celebrating our community and independent high street.

Creating a new landmark for Castle Road

For the past six years, the Castle Road Community Association CIC has worked with residents, local businesses and Portsmouth City Council to help transform Castle Road into one of Southsea's most distinctive independent high streets. 

Through public realm improvements, traffic calming, landscaping, community events and regular street markets, we have helped create a greener, safer and more welcoming place to live, work and visit.

Today, Castle Road is known for its independent cafés and restaurants, specialist shops, antique dealers, artists, craftspeople, barbers, hairdressers and beauty businesses. Set within a historic conservation area in the heart of Southsea, it has a strong village atmosphere and a diverse community of residents, traders, students and visitors.

The Castle Road Compass

The Castle Road Compass will be a permanent 1.7 meter diameter artwork, handcrafted in traditional mosaic with cast bronze detailing and inlaid into the public plaza outside Giuseppe's Restaurant, at the junction of Castle Road and Kent Road.

Inspired by historic navigation charts and civic compass pavements, the artwork will point towards important landmarks and places across Portsmouth. It will locate Castle Road as a starting point from which residents and visitors can explore the wider city, while celebrating the history, identity and independent character of the street itself. This is a robust bespoke piece of public art using bronze and decorative plates and stone/ceramic and glass detailing.

The Compass will become a meeting point, selfie spot, a local landmark and a distinctive feature that encourages people to stop, look, explore and spend time in Castle Road.

Creating a Sense of Place

The Compass is part of a longer-term program of bespoke design enhancements to Castle Road's public spaces.

Our vision is to introduce carefully considered artist-led features, creative landscaping detailing, public art, interpretation and street furniture that complement the historic setting and strengthen the area's individual identity.

These improvements will help create a stronger sense of place and community ownership, while supporting local businesses and encouraging more residents and visitors to discover Castle Road.

How Your Support Will Help

Our fundraising target is £10,000.

The money raised will support the specialist mosaic craftsmanship, cast bronze elements, materials, fabrication, site preparation, installation and associated works required to create a permanent, high-quality public landmark.

Every donation, whatever its size, will bring the Castle Road Compass one step closer to becoming a lasting part of the street.

The project is being led by the Castle Road Community Association CIC. The artwork has been designed by Portsmouth artist Pete Codling, Art Director of the CIC, who led the creative vision for Castle Road's public realm and community-designed landscape.

Looking to the Future

The Castle Road Compass is the beginning of a long-term vision to enhance Castle Road through bespoke design, creative landscaping and thoughtfully integrated public art.

As new funding and partnerships are secured, the Castle Road Community Association CIC will continue delivering projects that celebrate the area's heritage, strengthen its unique identity and support a thriving independent high street at the heart of Southsea.

By supporting this campaign, you are helping to create a lasting legacy, strengthening local pride, encouraging visitors and investing in a place that will continue to be enjoyed by residents, businesses and future generations.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 29th September 2026 at 4:51pm