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Southsea Castle

📍 Hampshire, England

4.1 ★★★★ 2,000 reviews

About

Southsea Castle, historically also known as Chaderton Castle, South Castle and Portsea Castle, is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island, Hampshire, in 1544. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Solent and the eastern approach to Portsmouth. The castle had a square central keep, two rectangular gun platforms to the east and west, and two angled bastions to the front and rear, and was an early English example of the trace italienne-style of fortification popular on the Continent. The Cowdray engraving of the Battle of the Solent in 1545 depicted Henry VIII visiting the castle. Despite several serious fires, it remained in service and saw brief action at the start of the English Civil War in 1642 when it was stormed by Parliamentary forces.

Built in 1544 by Henry VIII as part of his 'Device' programme of coastal forts against French invasion. Henry stood here in 1545 watching the Battle of the Solent, witnessing his beloved Mary Rose capsize and sink. Used in the Civil War, Napoleonic era, and both World Wars. Now a free museum run by Portsmouth City Council.