🏠 Indoor & outdoorCastleEducational
Facilities
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Hurst Castle is a coastal fort built by Henry VIII at the far end of a long shingle spit facing the Isle of Wight. Children can climb the steps of the Tudor keep, look for the rooms where Charles I was held prisoner, and see the Victorian and wartime additions that were built as the defences were updated over the centuries. The views from the top of the keep across the Needles Passage are a highlight. Getting there is part of the fun: a short ferry ride runs from Keyhaven, or families can walk the shingle spit, which is a tiring trek for small legs. Because the site is exposed to wind and sea, it suits a sunny day with sturdy shoes and layers. There is a small takeaway and picnic space just outside the castle, and dogs on leads are welcome. The castle is managed by English Heritage with the Friends of Hurst Castle.
Reopening stated for March 2027 on the operator's page. The ferry from Keyhaven is run separately from castle admission and may have its own timetable.
Stuff to take with you
The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.
- Refillable water bottleMost places will fill it for free.
- Snacks that survive a rucksackCheaper than the café, and buys you twenty minutes.
- Wet wipes
- Small first aid kitPlasters solve more days out than anything else here.
- Kids' headphones
- Audiobook or story CD
- Folding stool
- Loose changeLockers and old-fashioned car parks.
- Hand sanitiser
- Lunch boxes
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