Hurst Castle

On the one hand, it’s a cool fortress/battery used during WWII and the very first exhibit, the guards house is very informative and haunting. But then the rest of the areas are rather empty, aside from the large cannons and the theatre. On the other hand, if you’re interested in the older castle, there’s much less info on the subject. It’s cool but on a cold windy day, I’m not sure if it’s worth the long walk out along the gravel beach.

Great English Heritage site to visit. Original castle fort plus many additions over the years. You can walk there along the shingle or pay to get the little ferry boat from Keyhaven. Lots of history and rooms to explore. Little cafe at the entrance and toilets inside the grounds. Dogs welcome on a lead. There is the main carpark near the ferry or parking near the shingle beach where you can walk from (parts of the entrance road do flood at high tide)Could easily spend many hours looking around everything. It does close for winter from the end of October half term to Easter.

English Heritage membership free entry. Worth the visit for the history, Lovely long walk along beach 2 mile's was very windy but would have been better on a good day. Cafe and toilets. Also accessable by ferry. But walking from the light house car park.

Interesting castle with lots of history. Lots of displays and info about light houses. Mostly empty rooms some with display boards, but you are free to wander almost everywhere. Shame no rooms fully set up showing you how things may have been, but assume that is down to staffing levels as you can’t be everywhere! Amazing views from the roof tops. Well worth a visit, recommend.

Hurst Castle is an absolute gem on the south coast of England, steeped in history and offering a unique experience. The castle's rich history as a coastal defense structure is fascinating, and you can feel the echoes of the past as you explore its sturdy walls.What's truly convenient is the direct ferry service from the village's parking area to the castle, making it accessible for families. At just £7 for an adult round-trip ticket, it's a steal.Once inside, the £6 adult admission fee is well worth it. The castle's interior is a treat for history buffs and casual visitors alike. You'll appreciate the picturesque views from the battlements and the peaceful atmosphere.Don't forget to explore the nearby lighthouse, a wonderful bonus to your visit, and enjoy a cup of coffee in the charming café.I highly recommend Hurst Castle to anyone seeking a blend of history, natural beauty, and a touch of adventure. It's a fantastic destination for a day out, and you'll leave with memories and photos to cherish.

It's a lovely walk to Hurst Castle along the shingle spit. The sea is on one side and the lagoon in the other. Beautiful views, and up until the end of October, you can catch the ferry over to Keyhaven.

Great place to visit, good value for money at £6 adult. Note though this is not an easy place to get to, being at the end of a shingle spit, but it is a defensive fort after all. Well worth it if you get here though, the fort spans from Tudor to WWII with buildings from both periods and in-between. Lighthouse display also. Four stars because we had vouchers for a guided tour but the guide didn't show! I understand the people are volunteers but if they were unable to run the advertised four tours then they should reduce the number to three.

A bit of a trek to get there. (2miles on shingle from the carpark!) difficult to find the loos. The cafe is poor and only serves machine coffee and cakes. Other than that, the castle and buildings were lovely. Oh and it’s very dog friendly. Lots of waking, climbing and steps though.

Amazing Castle/Fort. A must see for anyone in this area.This place is accessed via a walk or ferry. With 2 little ones we opted for the ferry. At high tide they use a 98 person ferry however when the tide is low they switch to 10-12 person boats. So we had the big boat on the way out and a little boat on the way back which the kids loved as it added even more to the novelty of taking a boat to a castle. However this did generate quite a queue for the little boats so if you go plan in a 30min wait for the little boats for your parking. We did during high summer on a fine day so probably quite busy so it might be fine in off season.The castle is fantastic so much to see, from information on the castle as built by Henry VIII to it's later use by Victorians and during the world wars. They also have an amazing section about light houses.The guns are impressive and the castle has a great views over to the isle of wight.We did the little morse code trail, which the kids absolutely loved. Some tricky ones to find but it really encouraged us to look everywhere.They also have a great arts and craft hall for kids which my two loved doing some colouring and craft to break up their visit.Cafe outside the castle, while small has lovely selection of drinks and tasty sausage rolls. It has one table inside and lots of picnic benches outside.

Lovely walk on the spit to get to Hurst Castle. The castle itself has a decent amount of good info on history, a history of light houses/techniques, WW2, etc. Good views over the Isle of Wight. Entry is 6 pounds for adults.