Hampshire Travel Guide - Castles

One of Henry VIII's string of coastal defences, Calshot Castle was built in 1539 to protect the western entry to Southampton Water. The castle was badly damaged during the reign of Queen Elizabeth but was repaired at great cost and served as an artillery defence until the early 20th century.
Calshot, Fawley, Hampshire, England, SO45 1BR

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: on spit 2 m SE Fawley off B3053
Website: Calshot Castle
Phone: 02380 892 023
English Heritage
Location map
OS Grid SU488 025
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One of Henry VIII's coastal forts, completed in 1544. Hurst Castle occupies a position on a spit of land, projecting into the western end of the Solent. The castle consists of a circular keep with projecting towers, with a large enclosure to landward. Charles I was briefly imprisoned here before his final journey to LOndon and death. Henry VIII's design was updated during the Napoleonic Wars, and the castle was used during WWII.
Keyhaven, Lyminghurst, Hampshire, England, PO41 0PB

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: on Pebble Spit; take ferry from Keyhaven
Website: Hurst Castle
Email: hurstferry@aol.com
Phone: 01590 642 344
Location map
OS Grid SZ354897
Photo Credit: Barry Deakin, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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There is a little bit of everything at Portchester Castle; the 9 acre site contains the most complete set of Roman walls in northern Europe, and also houses a Saxon fortress and a medieval royal palace. The original fortifications may have been built by Carausias, who rebelled against Roman rule in the year 285. In the medieval period Henry I added to the defenses, and Richard II built a series of domestic quarters, including a great hall and kitchens, all of which can be seen today.
Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: on S side of Portchester off A27, Junction 11 on M27
Website: Portchester Castle
Phone: 02392 378 291
English Heritage
Google map
OS Grid SU625 046
Photo Credit: Geoff Barker, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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Begun under William the Conqueror, only the Great Hall of Henry III (1222-35) survived the Civil War intact. The hall houses a huge Round Table, reputed to be that of King Arthur, though it was recently dated to the 13th century. more...
The Great Hall, The Castle Winchester, Hampshire, England, SO23 8PJ

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: In the centre of Winchester, just west of the market. Well signposted from the city centre.
Website: Winchester Castle
Location map
OS Grid SU477294
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Formerly the principle residence of the Bishops of Winchester, Wolvesey Castle was an extensive keep and bailey castle built about 1100 on a site in use during the Anglo-Saxon period. more...
College Street, Wolvesey Winchester, Hampshire, England, SO23 8NB

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: 3/4 m SE Winchester Cathedral
Website: Wolvesey Castle (Bishop's Palace)
Phone: 01424 775 705
English Heritage
Location map
OS Grid SU484291
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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