- Not to be confused with Hearst Castle, a resort built by wealthy newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst.
| Hurst Castle | |
|---|---|
| Hurst Point, Milford on Sea, Hampshire, England | |
 The inner bailey of the castle |
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| Type | Tudor/Napoleonic |
| Coordinates | 50°42′25″N 1°32′59″W / 50.70697°N 1.54960°W |
| Built | 16th Century.[1] |
| Built by | Henry VIII of England |
| Construction materials |
Stone, Brick |
| Current condition |
Survives |
| Current owner |
English Heritage |
| Open to the public |
yes |
| Garrison | none |
| Events | World War II |
Hurst Castle on the south coast of England is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts built at the end of a long shingle spit at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Portsmouth. 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. Also known as a Henrician Castle, Hurst was built as part of Henry's chain of coastal defences to protect England during the turbulent times of his reign.
Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution.
It was given extensive new wing batteries after the 1859 Royal Commission report, and the modifications were completed in 1873. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. The castle is now owned by English Heritage and is open to the public.
Today, the castle can be accessed on foot along the shingle spit from the nearby village of Milford on Sea or by frequent ferry service from Keyhaven.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hurst Castle |
- Henry VIII: Legacy
- Device Forts
- Martello Tower
- Eastbourne Redoubt
- Pevensey Castle
- Dymchurch Redoubt
- British narrow gauge military railways
- Hurst Point Lighthouse
Coordinates: 50°42′25.58″N 1°33′4.23″W / 50.7071056°N 1.551175°W
External links
- Read a detailed historical record on Hurst Castle
- English Heritage page about Hurst Castle
- Photographs and Information from Strolling Guides
- Details of opening times, the ferries, history, etc.
- BBC 360 image
- Our Milford on Sea site contains local information on Hurst Castle and the seaside village of Milford on Sea.
References
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