Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle

The castle was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses and was completed in 1544. A critical element in the improvement of the defences of the south coast by Henry VIII was the protection of the Solent, for this stretch of water gave access to the important ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. Calshot Castle and Hurst Castle were both strategically situated to provide their protection. Calshot was sited on a shingle spit close to the deep water channel at the mouth of Southampton Water. Although one of the smaller of Henry VIII's forts, its three-storey keep and outer curtain wall nevertheless gave it full command of its position. Hurst Castle was sited at the narrow entrance to the Solent where the ebb and flow of the tides creates strong currents, putting would-be invaders at its mercy.

Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution.

The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1870Us when the enormous armoured wings were constructed. Two of the huge 38-ton guns installed in the 1970Us can still be viewed in their casemates.

During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights.