 It developed as a fashionable Victorian seaside resort in the 19th century, originally named Croxton Town, but later adopting the name of nearby Southsea Castle, a seafront fort constructed in 1544 to help defend the Solent and approaches to Portsmouth Harbour.Southsea subsequently grew into a dense residential suburb and large, distinct commercial and entertainment area, separate from the centre of Portsmouth.The areas surrounding Albert Road, Palmerston Road, and Osborne Road contain several bars, restaurants and independent shops.