Name: Southsea Castle
Rating: 5.0

Southsea Castle

Southsea Castle, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Southsea Castle was one in a series of forts constructed for King Henry VIII in what was the most ambitious scheme of coastal defence since Roman times. The castle was built in great haste in 1544, prompted by Henry VIII’s fears of a French attack on Portsmouth. It was said to have been designed by the King himself, incorporating the latest continental ideas on the layout of artillery forts.

The keep of Southsea Castle contains a host of displays – offering visitors the chance to learn all about the castle’s history and see some of the key artefacts that played a role. Alongside a model of King Henry VIII stands a replica of the famed Cowdray Engraving, which shows the scene overlooking the Solent as the Mary Rose unexpectedly keeled and sank. Lights showcase major points of interest, to tell the story of how Southsea Castle – and the surrounding area – would have looked on that fateful day.

Entry is free. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Archaeology Collection: The archaeology collection has been gathered since 1945 from sites in south-east Hampshire. The bulk of the collection is formed by a number of major archaeological archives; the result of research and development-led projects. Artefacts date from the Lower Palaeolithic through to the Post-Medieval period.
Art collection: The fine and decorative art collections are predominantly comprised of British material with some Western European and Oriental objects. There are approximately 10,000 works, which include: paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, furniture and textiles. The earliest pieces date from the mid-17th century, whilst the most recent go up to present day.
The Charles Dickens collection: Portsmouth Museums has a significant collection of items relating to Charles Dickens. Some of the earliest items that came into our collection included signed documents, a sculpture of his father and a large portrait of the author by local artist Henry Bryant, which is now on permanent display at the Dickens Birthplace.
Local History Collection: Portsmouth’s local and social history collection has been built up since 1945, based on the small number of items that survived the bombing of the museum in 1941. The collections now number well over 30,000 items and cover the city’s history from around 1650 to the present day.
The D-Day Story Collection: We hold an astonishing and varied range of objects in our collection, from a tiny button compass to a genuine Second World War LCVP landing craft.
Military History Collection: For centuries the armed forces have played a major part in the life of our city and its people. Portsmouth Dockyard has long been the home of the Royal Navy, and as a result this was said to be the most heavily defended location in the country. At one point Portsmouth was ringed by fortifications to defend against enemy attack. Sometimes, as in the Blitz, the city came under direct attack. Portsmouth people have served all over the world as members of the British armed forces, both in peace and war.
Natural History collection: There are between 116,000 and 119,000 specimens in the natural history collections. Most were collected by HLF Guermonprez and were transferred to Portsmouth from Bognor Regis Museum in the 1970s2E

Facilities

Parking: Parking is available at The D-Day Story car park.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Entry is free.

Pricing URL: https://southseacastle.co.uk/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Tuesday – Sunday (April to October): 10am – 5pm.
Last admission: 4.15pm to the Film Room and 4.30pm to the Keep and Ramparts.

Address: Southsea Castle, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, UK

Post Code: PO5 3PA

Council: Portsmouth

County: Hampshire

By car: Take the M275 into Portsmouth, following signs for City Centre. Then take the A3, signposted for Seafront, before joining the A288 – Kings Terrace and Pier Road. Turn left on the Pier Road Roundabout onto Clarence Esplanade. Southsea Castle will be on your right in 0.6 miles.
By train: Southsea Castle is 1.8 miles from both Fratton and Portsmouth and Southsea railway stations. Each route can be walked in around 35 minutes.
By bus: The nearest bus stop to Southsea Castle is on Palmerston Road. It’s operated by First Bus on the 3 and 18 routes, and Stagecoach on the 23. These bus stops are a 0.5 mile walk from the castle, along Palmerston Road and Avenue de Caen.
Parking: Parking is available at The D-Day Story car park.