About
With spectacular views of the Solent and the Isle of the Wight from the top of the Tudor Keep and plenty of open spaces for children to explore, Hurst Castle is a great day out for the whole family – plus it is right here in Milford on Sea so it’s a ‘must see’ for visitors to the village.
The small café located outside of the castle walls has a cosy seating area inside and there are plenty of benches in the picnic area. Here you can pick up hot drinks, cakes and light refreshments while enjoying the view back down the Keyhaven River.
Getting to the castle is all part of the adventure. Catch the ferry from Keyhaven and enjoy a leisurely boat trip to the castle or work off some energy and take the 2-mile walk along the shingle spit to the castle, head to the seafront along Hurst spit. Both offer fantastic views so you could walk one way and get a ferry the other way!
During school holidays from Easter-October half term, look out for special activities for children and families including Tudor events, children’s trails, arts and crafts and lots more family fun. Guided tours and free educational trips are available if pre-booked, please email for more information.
Castle highlights include:
- The heart of Hurst Castle is its Tudor fort, which retains much of its 16th-century appearance.
- Follow the steps to the first floor of the Tudor keep, where it was probably here that Charles I was kept prisoner in 1648.
- Enjoy the spectacular views from the roof of the Tudor keep across the Needles Passage to the Isle of Wight.
- Head down to the basement of the Tudor keep, used for storage of food, fuel, weapons and gunpowder.
- Take a visit to the Garrison Theatre, possibly the last theatre remaining constructed by the garrison to survive from the Second World War.
- Uncover the history of the lighthouses on the spit within the Lighthouse exhibitions.
- Don’t miss the portcullis positioned above the Tudor entrance to the castle.
- Discover the two casemates, closest to the Tudor castle, which contain 12.5-inch RML guns of the 1860s.
Hurst Castle is very dog friendly. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the castle and on the ferry too.
Access to Hurst Castle is a leisurely ferry ride from Keyhaven (charges apply) or a 2-mile walk along Hurst Spit (please note this is a shingle spit).
To find out more please visit Hurst Castle Ferry
Opening Times
- 1st April – 24th October (daily): 10.00am – 5.30pm
- 25th October – 2nd November (daily): 10.00am – 4.00pm
- 3rd November – 31st April 2026: Closed
Castle Prices
| Adult: | £8.50 |
| Concession: | £7.50 |
| Child (5-17 yrs) | £5.50 |
| Family (2 adults, 3 children) | £25.00 |
| English Heritage members: | FREE |
| Children under 5: | FREE |