Calshot Castle was built in the day when things didn’t take twice as long as promised. Nor, I’m sure, was it excessively over budget!
We can thank Henry VIII for building this small, yet perfectly formed artillery castle back in 1539 / 1540.
Calshot Castle was built to protect part of the south coast and in particular the Southampton water.
For more information on the history of the castle, please visit the English Heritage official website.
Information
- Address is: Calshot Castle, Hampshire, SO45 1BR
- Parking: £1 per hour, up to a maximum of £8 for day rate. Limited free parking a 15 minute walk away
- Admission price: Adult = £4, Child (5-17 years) = £2.80, Family and Concession rates available
- Opening times: Usually 10.30 to 16.30 (closed 13.00 – 13.30 for lunch)
- More information, please check official website
Getting There
As part of our love of UK Travel, we recently signed up for English Heritage Membership, which gave us access to this and other sites around the country.
The only other local-ish castle we have visited has been Corfe Castle, so we thought it was about time we took in some more history!
We arrived at the castle which is situated next to the Calshot Activities Centre. More on that in another post.
The number plate recognition did its thing, and all we have to worry about is paying when we leave.
The castle is situated at the far end of the car park, and sits proudly over looking the pebble and shingle mini beach and the Southampton Water.
We circled Calshot castle before walking over the bridge that stretches over the moat.
You can’t have a castle without a Moat!
Once inside, we used our recently joined English Heritage membership, meaning we didn’t have to pay.
We did however, pay the extra 50p to do the I-Spy challenge.
This involved getting a sheet with small obscure photos on, and having to spot them as we walked around Calshot Castle.
The Basement of Calshot Castle
We decided to venture downstairs first, and headed into the Basement. It was converted in 1896 to house engines and generators for the searchlight batteries.
It then became a cartridge and shell store for the new guns on the roof. There is a brick shaft in centre, which if you look up with a torch, you can see all that remains of it.
The below are a couple of photos of the stairs leading down, and the actual basement.
Back up, and we waked around Calshot Castle’s walls. Around the edge, are a number of Canons. All pointing threateningly out to sea.
Upstairs in Calshot Castle
Next to the stairs down to the basement are stairs up.
Max was keen, so up he went with us following closely behind.
We arrived in the living quarters of the soldiers that would be stationed there. It held, from memory, about 11 I think.
The beds left a lot to be desired, but I guess was the norm back then. Perhaps even considered a luxury!
This room was where everything happened. Sleeping, eating etc, so I doubt there was much privacy.
There has been a lot of effort it seems, put in to keep the feel of how it used to be. From the aged beds to the coats hanging on the archaic coat hooks, and the trunk each soldier would have had for their worldly possessions.
We head upstairs to the roof. Thankful for our carpeted bedrooms and double beds we enjoy at home.
The steps are a little more uneven, so care should be taken. We made use of the rope handrail.
Once on the roof, we stepped out into the glorious Hampshire sunshine, and enjoyed more views over the sea.
On the roof, there were a couple more guns, pointed menacingly towards the sea.
As with all castles, this is in a prime location to defend this part of the south coast of England.
I have a feeling i-Spy wasn’t the only game you could play when visiting Calshot Castle.
As we wandered around we saw random cards with Rats on them, as highlighted in the photo below.
We didn’t ask, but we think it was a ‘spot the rat competition’ with a pat on the back if you spotted the correct number around the castle.
There are lots of rooms off to the side, mainly on the level you enter at. They talk about Calshot’s Heritage, and history. Quite a bit of reading to do, so tough if you have a 5 year old in tow!
Summary
And that, is about it. It is not the biggest Castle. Not the most imposing, or I am sure not the most visited.
But, Calshot Castle played a part in our history, and if you are in the area, a family of 5, (2 adults and 3 children) can get in for a smidgen over £10.
Now that’s got to be worth a couple of hours of your time!
