Hurst Castle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Not to be confused with Hearst Castle, a resort built by wealthy newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst.
Hurst Castle is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts built at the end of a long shingle spit at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Portsmouth. Hurst Castle was sited at the narrow entrance to the Solent where the ebb and flow of the tides creates strong currents, putting would-be invaders at its mercy.
Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution.
It was given extensive new wing batteries after the 1859 Royal Commission report, and the modifications were completed in 1873. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. The castle is now owned by English Heritage and is open to the public.
Today, the castle can be accessed on foot along the coastal path from nearby village Milford on Sea.
[edit] See also
- Henry VIII: Legacy
- Device Forts
- Martello Tower
- Eastbourne Redoubt
- Pevensey Castle
- Dymchurch Redoubt
- British narrow gauge military railways
[edit] External links
- English Heritage page about Hurst Castle
- Photographs and description
- Details of opening times, the ferries, history, etc.
|
|||||||||||
 |
This article about an English castle is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
