Top Things to do in Hampshire
Top Hotels in Hampshire
Things to do in Hampshire, England: The Best Castles
Discover the best top things to do in Hampshire, United Kingdom including Highclere Castle, Hurst Castle, Portchester Castle, The Great Hall, Calshot Castle, Calshot Castle, Southsea Castle, Wolvesey Castle, Odiham Castle.
Restaurants in Hampshire
1. Highclere Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,288 reviews
Designed by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament, this is considered to be one of the finest Victorian homes still in existence, which houses fine furniture and works of art. Today, the Castle is the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and is known around the world as the real home of 'Downton Abbey'.
Reviewed By StreetwiseSmart - Gunnislake, United Kingdom
Highclare is a terrific place to visit - really well organised, super friendly & informative guides, gift shop with quality and fairly priced items, and wonderful maintained grounds and gardens. In today’s ever more irritating Covid World, all necessary safety measures were in place without being intrusive or restrictive to our visit. Highclare itself is beautifully presented, with a balance of family history alongside Downton Abbey lore. Cannot rate highly enough.
2. Hurst Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,314 reviews
Located within the New Forest National Park, Hurst Castle is situated on the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles from Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. Built by Henry VIII as a chain of fortresses to protect the Solent in 1544, this is the site where Charles I was imprisoned in 1648 before being taken to his trial and execution in London. The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1870s when the enormous armoured wings were added, making it the largest coastal fort in the world. Two of the huge 38-ton guns installed in the 1870s can be viewed in their casemates together with other weapons developed through 412 years of military use. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. You can get to Hurst Castle by ferry from Keyhaven Quay (sat nav postcode: SO41 0TP) or you can walk along the shingle Hurst Spit. The castle is currently closed, however refreshments are available from outside the castle.
Reviewed By LondonConyers - London, United Kingdom
Our visit to Hurst Castle was definitely a highlight of our trip to the New Forest, probably second only to a particularly great tree at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. We had a very enjoyable mooch around (tudor castle to the left, tea room to the right) learning about the history (built by Henry VIII, King Charles I was a prisoner there) and enjoying the views from the top. Room 8 is definitely worth a visit. Excellent lighting.
3. Portchester Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 661 reviews
Reviewed By U5296PJdavidk - Worthing, United Kingdom
From the Train Station it`s about a 20 mins walk to the castle , Through the High Street and just follow Castle Street .. English Heritage own the castle so it was £8 per adult (March 2020 prices )to get in. Was met by two lovely ladies who told me all what to do and gave me a audio guide which will guide you throu the tour . You start off in the courtyard next to Constables house and then just follow the guide . There was another volunteer Gentleman who was there if you needed to ask any questions or advice , A lovely person as were the two receptionists. As you go round you will feel , What went on there , From a Roman settlement to When the Royals started taking over with King John one of the very first ,And Henry V launched his invasion of France from here , And with it being besieged from the French and others , You will gather it was a very important Castle . Also how it became a Prison for Mixed raced from the Caribbean in 1796 and a lot of French solders in the 14th century , The French prisoners actually made a theatre there as well, putting on shows . As you go into the tower you can climb to the top and see all around the Solent and Portsmouth , and there is a exhibition about the Mixed Raced Prisoners on one floor on how they lived inside the prison and what conditions were like. Beaware ! The steps are very narrow , There is a rope to hold on to as you climb. As you come down also to the right of the theatre stage is a museum with artifacts that have been found throu the ages . Yes , A lot of the castle is in ruin but it is still a great place to visit just for the history. The toilets are outside in the car park as well as a van , If you want a hot or cold drink and sometimes St Mary`s Church next door is open where you can have tea,coffee , snacks ..
4. The Great Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,201 reviews
The Great Hall is one of the finest surviving medieval aisled halls of the 13th century and is all that remains of Winchester Castle. The Great Hall is open daily to the public offering a unique historical experience and the chance to see the greatest symbol of medieval mythology: King Arthur's Round Table. Visitors can also see Queen Eleanor's garden, a recreation of an enclosed medieval garden, providing an injection of nature. Entry charges apply, please visit our website for further details.
Reviewed By Stylish60 - Folkestone, United Kingdom
The Great Hall was stunning. The Table was very interesting but so were the stained glass windows. Lovely adjacent medieval garden and the Long Gallery was informative although it jumped around chronologically!
5. Calshot Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By SimonCurtis2014 - Tadworth, United Kingdom
It does not take long to tour this English Heritage site as it is much smaller and more original than its brother Hurst Castle down the cost. However, its bite size is part of the attraction as you can easliy pop in here on the way to or from another New Forest attraction. To get to the castle you have to pass through entry barriers and pay for parking (after first free 20 mins) even if you are an E Heritage member. However, I was there for less than an hour and parking was £1, so not too bad. Great views from the roof make this a worthwhile visit even if you are not interested in the history. Not suitable if you have difficutly with steep stairs. Unusually, shop has a very limited selection.
6. Calshot Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 83 reviews
This historic castle was built in 1539 by Henry VIII to protect the important ports of Portsmouth and Southampton.
Reviewed By chrisfo1
Found this by complete accident We went for a drive saw sign for calshot beach so went to have a look Folllowed the road to the end and could see the castle You have to drive past security gate which opens automatically then reads your number plate You input your number plate when you leave you pay the The price and you leave if you fail to input your car number you will get a fine as it reads you.number plate on way out So pay The castle dates back to Tudor times But what surprised as was the history of flight here from the Schinder trophy planes to sea planes built here really interesting the castle Its self is really small but the exhibits make up for that Well worth the Tripp Life boat station is worth a visit too
7. Southsea Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 600 reviews
Built in 1544, the 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.
Reviewed By stephenjS8179OI - Coventry, United Kingdom
A nice walk along the seafront from Portsmouth to Southsea brings you to the castle. It a great location for pictures
8. Wolvesey Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By Silvercruises - Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Hidden away in the older part of Winchester, we found these ruins to be more extensive that envisaged. Beautifully presented and with many information boards throughout the area giving a comprehensive history of the Castle. It is a very peaceful setting and away from the noise of the city itself. English Heritage have made it free to enter which probably explains several people having a lunchtime picnic on a beautiful day !!
9. Odiham Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By johnmW5491IS - Hook, United Kingdom
King John’s Castle is a small and mostly ruined stone hunting lodge. The footprint is still visible and the local historical society has both identified and indicated the relevant areas of the building. The most important fact, is that the “castle” was where King John stayed on the nights before he rode to Runnymede to sign the Magna Carta. The route is along the Basingstoke Canal towpath heading west from Odiham at the bridge over the canal at the North Warnborough side of the village. It is on level ground (it’s a canal stupid) but the path is narrow and is often a tad muddy in poor weather. Go, try, enjoy ????
