Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HAMPSHIRE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portchester-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porchester Castle</a>, Porchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1215" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle.jpg" alt="Porchester Castle Hampshire English Heritage " class="wp-image-31735" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle-800x648.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle-1000x810.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle-768x622.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/porchester-castle-648x525.jpg 648w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A great protector of the Solent,&nbsp;Portchester Castle&nbsp;was originally built in the late 3rd century. The castle was favoured by royalty, with Henry V, Margaret of Anjou (Henry VI’s queen) and Elizabeth I among them. Portchester also served as a prison during the Napoleonic Wars. And it was a favourite stop-off for King John in the 13th Century.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle.jpg" alt="Porchester castle views" class="wp-image-29864" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/View-from-Porchester-Castle-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Inside, there&#8217;s dress-up ops and a great audio guides. Clamber the narrow stairs right to the top of the keep and you&#8217;ll be rewarded by amazing panoramic views <em>(above)</em>. After, make the most of the wide open grounds and castle courtyard and have a family picnic surrounded by history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highclere-castle-highclere-near-newbury"><a href="https://highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/admission-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a>, Highclere, near Newbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/06/HIGHCLERE-CASTLE.jpg" alt="Highclere castle" class="wp-image-31110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/06/HIGHCLERE-CASTLE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/06/HIGHCLERE-CASTLE-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/06/HIGHCLERE-CASTLE-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/06/HIGHCLERE-CASTLE-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic: Highclere Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>The iconic star of TV&#8217;s&nbsp;<em>Downton Abbey</em>, Hampshire&#8217;s Highclere Castle&nbsp;is the ancestral home of Howard Carter (5th Earl of&nbsp;Carnarvon). Fun fact: he discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Now, it&#8217;s in the hands of the 8th Earl and Countess of&nbsp;Carnarvon. Book ahead to join the coach loads of tourists from around the world who come to experience a bit of real life of Downton magic. Then wander the impressive Capability Brown gardens. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/#?page=1&amp;place=calshot&amp;mp=false&amp;fe=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calshot Castle</a>, Calshot, Southampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="521" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle-1000x521.jpg" alt="Calshot Castle Southampton Hampshire English Heritage South Coast Henry VIII" class="wp-image-31734" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle-1000x521.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle-800x417.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle-768x400.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle-900x469.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/calshot-castle.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic: <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/calshot-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">English Heritage</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Henry VIII’s legacy lives on all over this part of the south coast. Originally built to the keep out the pesky French and the Holy Roman Empire, the dungeons, high walls and terrific views over the water make Calshot Castle well worth a trip. There&#8217;s parking right next to the castle and walks along the beach reaching out into the mouth of Southampton Water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/finder/odihamcastle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odiham Castle</a>, North Warnborough</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR.jpg" alt="Odiham Castle Hampshire Basingstoke Canal" class="wp-image-30931" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/05/Odiham-Castle-HR-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away along the Basingstoke Canal, King’s John’s castle and hunting lodge of Odiham was built as a handy stopover when travelling between Windsor and Winchester. It was the scene of fierce action during the First Barons’ War of 1215-17. Having reluctantly sealed Magna Carta in June 1215, John tried to wriggle out of its provisions, hence the civil war as the barons tried to bring him to book. Now a ruin, the lack of cars and gift shop adds to the atmosphere, with good information boards the history buffs will enjoy and a rare octagonal keep you won&#8217;t have seen anywhere else. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hurst-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hurst Castle</a>, Milford on Sea, Lymington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle.jpg" alt="Hurst Castle Hampshire Lymington" class="wp-image-31736" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle-800x417.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle-1000x521.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle-768x400.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/hurst-castle-900x469.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption>Pic: <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hurst-castle/">English Heritage</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>The biggest of Henry’s Solent forts, Hurst welcomed Charles I over November-December 1648. He was probably quite relieved to depart &#8211; his room was apparently only eight foot by 4½. Meander down the Keyhaven River and get magnificent views of the castle as well as taking in an abundance of local wildlife including seabirds (and even the odd seal) with the <a href="https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/ferry-ride/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hurst Castle ferry ride</a>. As you pass along, look out for the Tudor Keep, Needles Passage, and the Isle of Wight, as well as the haunting remains of Cliff End Battery keeping watch from the cliff top above.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://southseacastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southsea Castle</a>, Southsea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="938" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31737" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle-1000x625.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle-768x480.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Southsea-Castle-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Built over 1543-44 by Henry VIII, Southsea castle saw action just a year later in 1545 when the French invaded the Isle of Wight. The king himself was at Southsea to see his flagship, the Mary Rose, go down on 19th July. </p>



<p>Inside the keep, a replica of the famed Cowdray Engraving shows the scene overlooking the Solent as the Mary Rose keeled and sank. Take in the views over the water from ramparts and watch as the modern day boats passing by (hopefully with a little less drama). Fancy a beer? The Castle also has its own microbrewery, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southseabrewing/">The Southsea Brewing Co</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ISLE OF WIGHT</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carisbrooke-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carisbrooke Castle</a>, Newport</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1715" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min.jpg" alt="Carisbrooke Castle Isle of Wight" class="wp-image-31738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min-700x800.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min-875x1000.jpg 875w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min-768x878.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min-1343x1536.jpg 1343w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Carisbrooke-Castle-min-459x525.jpg 459w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This medieval hilltop castle near Newport was famously where Charles I was imprisoned during the English Civil War. He arrived in November 1647 and tried (and failed) to escape. Then, after a year, he shipped off to Hurst. Dress up as Norman soldiers or Civil War troopers and meet the castle’s resident donkeys&nbsp;who have been drawing up water in the well-house for hundreds of years. Hee aww.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yarmouth Castle, Yarmouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="892" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle.jpg" alt="Yarmouth castle Isle of Wight " class="wp-image-31739" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle-800x476.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle-1000x595.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle-768x457.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/Yarmouth-castle-883x525.jpg 883w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Another of Henry VIII’s forts, built in 1547, Yarmouth Castle is hidden away behind the George Hotel. During the English Civil War, the castle was held for Parliament. It remained an operational castle until the late-19th century, being brought back into commission during the two world wars. There’s a menacing looking naval gun atop the platform, still scanning the distant horizon in case of an enemy encroachment. Look out too for the special exhibition on the many shipwrecks in the treacherous stretch of sea overlooked by the castle.</p>


Man the Forts! 8 cool castles to visit around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

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