Southsea Castle

Southsea Castle is a treasure trove of fascinating stories just waiting to be told, making for an enthralling and fun filled day out with the kids, plus it's completely free to visit: bonus!

Built in 1544, it is said that the designs for this stunning castle were quite unusually drawn up by Henry VIII himself to repel invaders and protect his fleet! If you fancy a climb, there are some breathtaking views across the Solent and Portsmouth to enjoy from the top. There are several surviving Tudor features and sections to discover, but most of the castle now is 19th century, the most exciting addition being an underground tunnel around the moat that visitors can enter to see how the castle would have defended against invaders!