The Southsea Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hampshire. Since it was opened as a public museum in 1967, it has delighted hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Southsea Castle was first built in 1544 as ordered by Henry VIII in order to protect the land from French attackers. Until 1642 during the English Civil War, the SouthSea Castle was never captured and resiliently defended the island.
The success of the Southsea Castle as a defense fort lays in its revolutionary design. At the heart of the castle is a square keep. This is surrounded by angular bastions and squared gun platforms. The Southsea Castle also had a moat to further ensuring its defense. During the 19th century, a tunnel was made in order to defend the Castle’s moat. When you visit the Southsea Castle, you can enter inside the narrow underground tunnel and get an idea of how it was used to defend the Castle.
In addition to defense, the Southsea Castle has had many other uses over its long history. It served as a prison, had a lighthouse constructed there, and was used in shipping. The various exhibits of the Southsea Castle will give visitors an insight to this history.
Entrance to the Southsea Castle is free for all visitors.
