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Picture source: David Fisher

The Royal Arms was situated at 37 Stoke Road. This pub closed in 2008.

Source: Darkstar

I was an occasional visitor here in the early 70's. Outstanding memory is that it was a bit rough and sold real scrumpy.

Brian McGinley (June 2020)

From Historic England:

Gosport is recorded in 1206 as a ‘newly built’ port town (Oxford Archaeology 2014, 20). That which survives of the medieval grid pattern of streets and tenements is situated in what is now ‘Old Gosport’ and incorporates the east-west running High Street (‘Middle Street’ on C18 maps) which is flanked by North Street and South Street, with small cross streets and lanes (such as North Cross Street, South Cross Street and Bemister’s Lane) linking the three. By 1417, Gosport was involved in the defensive system of Portsmouth Harbour with a blockhouse (fort) on Blockhouse Point. A ferry service linked the two towns from the C16 onwards and the subsequent development of Gosport was largely driven by its role in defending the western landward and seaward approaches to the harbour and supplying the Royal Navy. From the late C17 onwards, a line of ramparts and artillery bastions, known as the Gosport Lines, were built surrounding the town. Gosport’s growth over the following three centuries mirrored that of the navy, as boatyards, rope-making facilities, victualling yards, a prison, hospitals, barracks and naval bases were constructed. It also led to demand for housing in large new residential areas beyond the Gosport Lines. In the mid-C19, invasion fears saw new fortifications built, including the five artillery forts of the Gosport Advanced Line, and the Stokes Bay Lines. Gosport continued to have an important military role in providing bases and training facilities during the First and Second World War. However, the town suffered major bomb damage during the latter conflict, and there was extensive post-war rebuilding, particularly of new housing developments. Gosport’s military establishments continued to modernise and diversify until the 1990s, which saw the beginning of a period of closures and redevelopments that has continued into the 2020s. Originally established in 1810, the Royal Arms became known as the ‘Submariners Pub’ in the C20 as it was regular haunt of crew members returning to Gosport after a tour of duty. It closed as a public house at the end of the C20 and around 2010, the rear part of the ground floor and the entirety of the first floor were rebuilt as supported accommodation. The front section of the ground floor has been converted to open plan shop units. Externally, there have been detail changes to the rear fenestration and the painted 'Royal Arms' sign has been moved to the right side (originally to the centre above the first floor windows).

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