Hurst Castle Castles

Hurst Castle is situated at the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1 mile from Milford-On-Sea. Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution.

The core of the present castle was built by Henry Vlll between 1541 - 44 in response to the threat of invasion posed by the European Catholic powers. The building comprised of a central twelve sided keep surrounded by three bastions linked by a curtain wall. Its location was ideal for defending the western passage into the Solent and the naval cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.