Hurst Castle is a large coastal fortress much dating back to the Tudor period, much altered over successive generations, with significant additions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Provision of information around the castle is excellent, and there are numerous historic features to see, ranging from the onsite railway to rare surviving WW2 searchlights. The castle saw service during WW1 and WW2, its defensive role finally ending in 1956. This long history makes it a particularly interesting site with a lot to see, from ammunition stores to a WW2 garrison theatre. Two Low Light lighthouses are located within the castle, complementing the distinctive High Light (Hurst Point Lighthouse) outside the castle grounds. Fans of lighthouses will enjoy seeing these, and looking around the lighthouse exhibition which is full of artefacts and information. The castle's position at the end of Hurst Spit gives it a unique feel, quite isolated and very exposed to the elements, despite being able to see much of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight coastlines from the walls. The walk along the long shingle spit from Milford on Sea is mostly flat but takes a bit of effort due to the pebbles. There's a large area of salt marsh alongside the spit, a great place to see marine birds and plants. There's a boat service for those who don't want to undertake the 3 miles or so of walking out and back. Adult tickets at the time of my visit were £9.50, representing good value for the variety of things to see. Expect to spend around 90 to 120 minutes at the castle, and another 30 minutes each way for the walk. Dogs are welcome throughout the site. Onsite facilities include toilets (unusually unchanged and therefore very basic), a café and a small gift shop in the entrance kiosk. There's parking on the coastal road very close to the beach, by the little bridge; charges apply through the RingGo app. Coastal erosion is constantly eating away at the spit upon which the castle is built, making its long term future uncertain, so I'd highly recommend visiting this unique place while you can.

Hurst Castle sits on a charming headland overlooking the Isle of Wight and the Needles Headland. You can walk 2 miles (3 km) across a sandbar (under the blazing sun) or take a boat ride to the castle. Built in the 16th century by Henry VIII as part of a chain of artillery strongholds protecting ports around southern England, Hurst Castle guarded the entrances to Southampton and Portsmouth.

Hurst Castle is a historic coastal fortress located at the seaward end of Hurst Spit in Hampshire, England. Built by King Henry VIII between 1541 and 1544, it originally served as an artillery fortress guarding the narrow entrance to the Solent waterway. Unusually for a Tudor castle, it remained in continuous military operation until 1956. Today, it is managed on behalf of English Heritage. Beautiful place to see with kids a lot of history.

Interesting place to visit. Catch a ferry from Keyhaven and enjoy a leisurely boat trip to the castle costs little for the trip as return ticket, believe you can walk there also some two miles though. Pay for entry to castle is well worth it for the views of The Isle of White and surrounding area. Hurst Castle is an artillery fort established by Henry VIII on the Hurst Spit in Hampshire, England, between 1541 and 1544. Historic amd the light house is lovely too near by.

This castle is an impressive piece of history; the views from the walls are stunning. With a lighthouse nearby and pebble beach next to it, you can spend there hours. Dogs are very welcome on the whole area including the ferry. Car park in Keyheaven is big enough but might be crowded on warm and sunny days. To the to the castle there is a walk path on the pebble coast or a ferry. We've taken the second option as dogs are allowed, and really enjoyed it. All staff at gift shop and cafe were very friendly. It was also a pleasure for me to meet Lilly and Poppy, the dogs what spend all days in the castle, but live with their owner in town.