Attractions > Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle

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Is Hurst Castle Open?

Covid-19 Update: Henry VIII’s Tudor castle will be opening to visitors from 29th May to explore daily.  The Victorian east and west wings remain closed while English Heritage’s conservation and repair work is ongoing, with the entrance fee reduced accordingly.

In February 2021, a section of wall on the 19th-century east wing of the castle collapsed, after the sea exposed and undercut its foundations. English Heritage is now coordinating a major project to protect and bring stability to this part of the castle.

Whilst English Heritage’s conservation and repair work is ongoing, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Tudor castle built by Henry VIII. A visit to Hurst Castle is one of the best days out in the New Forest with plenty of open space for children to explore and fantastic views of the Isle of Wight. It is a must for visitors to this area.

For the most up-to-date information visit their official website via the link above.

About This Attraction

Come and discover this artillery fortress, built by Henry VIII, at the seaward end of a coastal spit offering one of the best views in England. Commanding the entrance to the Solent, its strategic location has developed the castle into a powerful fortress, steeped in centuries of military history.

From its beginnings in 1544, as one of Henry VIII’s chain of artillery defences, Hurst Castle, unusually for a Tudor castle, remained in military use until 1956, playing an active role through both world wars.  On occasion it was also used as a prison, most famously in the imprisonment of Charles I in the 17th century, during the Civil War. Hurst Castle defended England from invasion threats in the 19th and 20th centuries.

CAN YOU NAME THE PARTS OF HURST CASTLE? CLICK HERE TO HAVE A GO. CHECK YOUR ANSWERS BY DROPPING THEM A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK!

Opening times

 

29th May – 30 September (daily) – 10.00am-5.30pm

1st October – 31st October (daily) – 10.00am-4.00pm

1st November – 31st March – Closed

Admission price

 

Adult:
£4.00

Concession:
£3.50

Child (5-17 yrs):
£2.00

English Heritage members & Child under 5:
FREE

Why should I visit?

    • 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.

Facilities

Assistance dogs allowed
Cafe
Dogs accepted
Gift shop
Suitable for ages 12 and above
Suitable for ages 5 and above
Suitable for ages 8 and above
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Where to find us

Address

Hurst Castle
Hampshire
SO41 0TP

Tel:

01590 642500

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

http://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/

Find us online

By car

There is no vehicle access to Hurst Castle. Parking is available at Keyhaven Pay & Display car park. Access to the castle can be via ferry from Keyhaven, which departs from 9.45am then approximately every 20 minutes. The last ferry from Keyhaven is at 5.30pm (Apr-Sep) or 4pm (Oct). The ferry operates daily from March to October. It is also possible to walk to Hurst Castle; it is a 2 mile walk along Hurst Spit (please note this is a shingle spit).

By train

There is no vehicle access to Hurst Castle. Parking is available at Keyhaven Pay & Display car park. Access to the castle can be via ferry from Keyhaven, which departs from 9.45am then approximately every 20 minutes. The last ferry from Keyhaven is at 5.30pm (Apr-Sep) or 4pm (Oct). The ferry operates daily from March to October. It is also possible to walk to Hurst Castle; it is a 2 mile walk along Hurst Spit (please note this is a shingle spit).

By bus

There is no vehicle access to Hurst Castle. Parking is available at Keyhaven Pay & Display car park. Access to the castle can be via ferry from Keyhaven, which departs from 9.45am then approximately every 20 minutes. The last ferry from Keyhaven is at 5.30pm (Apr-Sep) or 4pm (Oct). The ferry operates daily from March to October. It is also possible to walk to Hurst Castle; it is a 1.5 mile walk along Hurst Spit (please note this is a shingle spit).

Kids activities

harry hampshire

  • Plenty of open space for the children to run free.
  • Climb the stairs of the Tudor Castle to its roof to see the amazing view of the Needles and the Isle of Wight.
  • Take a visit to the darkness of the Tudor keep basement, which was used for the storage of food, fuel, weapons and gunpowder.
  • Look out for the collection of guns around the castle, which would have turned this part of the coast into one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world.