Southsea Castle

Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO5 3PA
England

Website

www.southseacastle.co.uk

E-mail

info@southseacastle.co.uk

mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Telephone

023 9282 7261

Fax

023 9287 5276

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Small castle with lighthouse on the edge of a harbour

Built in 1544, Southsea Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England's coasts to protect the country from invaders. Barely was the work completed when Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, tragically sank in front of the Castle. During the English Civil War, nearly a century later, the Castle was captured for the only time in its history, by Parliamentarian forces.

Over the centuries, Southsea Castle's defences were strengthened so that it could continue to protect Portsmouth. In the 19th Century a tunnel was built to defend the Castle moat. Visitors can still enter the tunnel and see how the Castle would have been defended against invaders.

The Castle has had many other uses besides defence. For a while it was a military prison. A lighthouse was built in the 1820s, and is still in use by shipping today. In 1960 the Castle left military service. It was acquired by Portsmouth City Council, which restored the Castle to its 19th Century appearance.

Venue Type:

Castle or defences, Ship or maritime heritage site

Opening hours

In 2011 Southsea Castle will be open as follows:
14 May - 31 October inclusive: open 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

Closed on Mondays (except for Bank Holidays).
Closed November - 13 May inclusive.

Admission charges

Free admission.

Discounts

Museums Association

General services and facilities

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Parking for coaches
Picnic area
Shop

Children and families

Activities for pre-school children
Events and resources for children and families
Baby changing facilities

Disability access

Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Large print information and/or interpretation
Parking for disabled available
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan

Schools services and facilities

Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Education facilities available
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups

Research and adult learning

Academic publications and resources available
Loan service

Commercial and hire services

Facilities for private functions and events

Additional info

Southsea Castle can cater for wedding receptions up to 100 guests for a formal reception or 150 for an informal one in our dedicated marquee. Telephone for details.

Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO5 3PA
England