English Heritage

Situated at the end of a narrow shingle spit stretching into the Solent, Hurst Castle a historic site within the English Heritage network, offering a dramatic glimpse into England’s coastal defences. Built by Henry VIII in the 1540s, the castle has played a key role in guarding the western approach to the Solent for over four centuries. From its formidable Tudor foundations to later Victorian and wartime additions, the site reveals layers of military history against a backdrop of sweeping sea views and rugged natural beauty. A visit to Hurst Castle is both a step back in time and an escape into one of the south coast’s most striking landscapes.