Hurst Castle UK

Hurst Castle UK Hurst Castle, built by King Henry VIII in 1544, offers one of the best views in England and over 400 years of history.

Get here on foot along Hurst Spit or take the leisurely ferry from Keyhaven for a great day out. Hurst Castle stands magnificently at the end of a long, narrow spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford on Sea. The castle was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses and was completed in 1544. The Tudor fort at its heart still looks much as it did in the 16th century. It is one of

the best preserved of Henry VIII’s castles and one of very few of them to have been successively updated and strengthened, allowing it to retain an active military role in the 20th century. Hurst Castle is managed on behalf of English Heritage by Hurst Marine, a local family business that has been associated with the castle for more than three generations.

Make this Father’s Day one to remember with a family day out at Hurst Castle. Dads and Grandads get in free when accompa...
13/06/2026

Make this Father’s Day one to remember with a family day out at Hurst Castle. Dads and Grandads get in free when accompanied by their children or grandchildren (castle entry only); it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time together in a unique coastal setting.

Start your adventure with a scenic ferry ride to the castle or take a leisurely 40-minute stroll along Hurst Spit for stunning sea views along the way. Step back in time as you explore centuries of history, from Tudor origins to its role in defending the Solent.

Climb to the top of the Tudor keep for breathtaking views across to the Isle of Wight, and enjoy wide open spaces where kids can run and explore. They can also follow a fun activity trail around the site, with a prize waiting at the end.

A perfect blend of history, fresh air, and family fun awaits you at Hurst Castle this Father’s Day. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

10/06/2026

We know little ones need plenty to keep them occupied, and sometimes even a five-minute wait can feel like forever!

That’s why we’ve introduced our brand new spotter sheets… 📝

From the moment you arrive in Keyhaven to catch the ferry, children can start spotting, counting and ticking things off as they wait for their adventure to begin.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve arrived at the Castle, our family trail is ready and waiting to keep the adventure going.

Be sure to pick up your spotter sheet on your next visit and let us know how many you can tick off! 🪿

What you see vs what we see 👀Every day, we watch families arrive excited for their adventure, visitors queue up for a sl...
05/06/2026

What you see vs what we see 👀

Every day, we watch families arrive excited for their adventure, visitors queue up for a slice of cake, and children race off to explore every corner of the castle. While you see the Needles, the lighthouse, the views across the Solent and the incredible history that surrounds us.

Everyone’s experience of Hurst Castle is different, but one thing stays the same: it’s the people who bring it to life. The smiles, the laughter, the memories being made and the excitement of discovering somewhere new that’s also somewhere very old.

What’s your favourite view at Hurst?

02/06/2026

Welcome to Hurst Castle 👋

From your first arrival in Keyhaven and the skipper taking you safely across the river, to the café team serving up a delicious lunch and the staff welcoming you at reception, everyone here at Hurst wants to make your adventure as special as possible.

So join us this June and say hello! Introduce yourself to the team and they may just have a story about the castle that you’ve never heard before. 🏰

Make the most of the final day of half term! ☀️Today is your last chance to join us for our half-term family fun week. I...
31/05/2026

Make the most of the final day of half term! ☀️

Today is your last chance to join us for our half-term family fun week. If you haven’t tackled our Morse code trail, challenged the family to a round of giant noughts and crosses, or quizzed each other on our history yet, today is the day!

Escape the Sunday chores and make one last May memory before the school run returns tomorrow. Whether you’re exploring the Tudor keep or relaxing by the water, it’s the perfect end to the holidays.

We’re open until 5:30pm—see you for one last half-term adventure!

29/05/2026

Hasn’t this week been glorious? ☀️

We’ve been so lucky with the sunshine and have loved spending this half term with your families. The skies have been blue, the grass has been green, and the smiles have been bright!

Our Code Breaker Trail has been a great success, and the children have been loving getting creative with our arts and crafts. If you haven’t joined in yet, there’s still time this weekend and our trail continues through June! Head down to Hurst Castle to make some memories. 🩵

And we’re off! Our half-term activities are officially underway. 🎉If you’re looking for an escape this weekend, head ove...
23/05/2026

And we’re off! Our half-term activities are officially underway. 🎉

If you’re looking for an escape this weekend, head over to Hurst Castle for a day of fresh air and discovery. It’s the perfect chance to get the family away from the screens and into the heart of the Solent.

Explore the winding passages, climb the bastions, and enjoy the history with an incredible view. And of course, you can take part in all of our games, crafts, and activities included in your admission! It’s an adventure from the moment you set off. 🩵

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16/05/2026

It’s just one week until half term!

If you’re one of the many families starting to panic about keeping everyone happy and entertained, let us take one day off your hands.

From arts and crafts to games like beanbag toss, ring toss, or giant noughts and crosses, as well as our well-loved Code Breaker Trail and lots of history to learn, there is so much to keep the little ones busy here at Hurst Castle, and it’s all included in your castle admission.

Head to our website to see our full list of half-term activities. We look forward to seeing you soon!

What did Hurst Castle look like in 1640?This model by Tony Saunders shows the castle around 100 years after it was first...
13/05/2026

What did Hurst Castle look like in 1640?

This model by Tony Saunders shows the castle around 100 years after it was first built in the Tudor period. It also captures it just before the outbreak of the English Civil War. By this time, the castle had already begun to adapt to changing military needs since its original construction as a coastal defence on England’s south coast.

Since then, it has evolved significantly, with major extensions and additional wings added in later centuries, transforming it into the much larger fortress we see today.

Now there’s so much more to explore, come and visit us today to discover it for yourself!

Address

Saltgrass Lane
Milford On Sea
SO410TP

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 5:30pm
Thursday 10am - 5:30pm
Friday 10am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10am - 5:30pm
Sunday 10am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441590642500

Website

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