Built in 1544, the Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England’s coasts to protect the country from invaders. Over the centuries, Southsea Castle’s defences were strengthened so that it could continue to protect Portsmouth. In the 19th Century a tunnel was built to defend the Castle moat. Visitors […]
Porchester Castle
Portchester Castle’s commanding location has made it a major factor in the Solent’s defences for hundreds of years. The most impressive and best- preserved of the Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ forts, Portchester Castle was originally built in the late 3rd century. Covering an area of nearly ten acres, it is the only Roman stronghold in northern […]
Odiham Castle
A 13th century castle with the remains of an octagonal keep, inner and outer moat, and traces of an extramural settlement, situated on the site of an earlier, moated, castle. Used as a hunting lodge by the 15th century. Flint walls with stone dressings. Excavations during 1981-85 located an inner moat, and uncovered remains of […]
Netley Castle
A Henrician artillery castle, built in 1542-5 by Sir William Paulet for Henry VIII to guard the anchorage at Southampton Water. It was built as part of the network of coastal defences to defend England against the threat of French and Spanish invasion. It was maintained and garrisoned until at least 1626-7 and possibly as […]
Merdon Castle
Earthwork remains of an Iron Age univallate hillfort and a Medieval motte and bailey which reused the former site. The Medieval motte and bailey is said to have been built in 1129-38 and destroyed in 1156. Field Survey between 1993 and 1994 by RCHME recovered further evidence of earthworks and buried foundations suggesting that the […]