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Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle, Hampshire, SO41 0TP

Tel: 01590 642500
Visit Milford on Sea - Hurst-Castle over to the Isle of Wight

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. The ‘Hurst Mess’ offers takeaway hot and cold drinks, homemade food and cakes. Dogs on leads are very welcome too.

Castle highlights include:

  • Step inside the heart of Hurst Castle to 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.
  • Take a visit to the basement of the Tudor keep, used for storage of food, fuel, weapons and gunpowder.Visit the North-west Bastion, sited to protect the approach and entrance to the castle. Take the stairway to the first floor, where you’ll see four fireplaces, one with a bread oven, suggesting it may once have been quarters for a senior officer. In 1859 it was partly used as the garrison hospital and by the 1890s provided married quarters for two soldiers and their families.
  • Don’t miss the portcullis positioned above the Tudor entrance to the castle. This one dates from the 1850s, although a portcullis has guarded the castle since it was built.
  • Discover the two casemates, closest to the Tudor castle, which contain 12.5-inch RML guns of the 1860s, salvaged from Cliff End Battery opposite Hurst Castle on the Isle of Wight

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

  • 27th March -31st October (daily): 10.00am-5.30pm
  • 1st November-3rd November (daily): 10.00am-4.00pm
  • 4th November-31st March 2025: Closed

Prices

Adult: £7.50
Concession: £7.00
Child (5-17 yrs) £5.50
Family (2 adults, 3 children) £24.00
English Heritage members: FREE
Children under 5: FREE