Southsea Castle Built by Henry VIII

1544

Southsea Castle was built in 1544 on the orders of Henry VIII as part of a chain of coastal fortifications designed to protect England from French invasion. The castle sits on the shoreline at the centre of what is now Southsea seafront, commanding views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and east towards the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. It was constructed rapidly using stone from recently dissolved religious houses, including material from Beaulieu Abbey and Titchfield Abbey. The castle is a squat, circular structure with thick walls and gun platforms designed to carry heavy artillery. It saw action almost immediately: in 1545, Henry VIII watched from its ramparts as the Mary Rose sank in the Solent during a battle with a French fleet. The castle remained in military use for centuries, serving as a garrison and coastal battery through the Civil War, the Napoleonic wars, and both world wars. Anti-aircraft guns were mounted on it during the Second World War. The castle was decommissioned after 1945 and eventually opened as a museum. It is now managed by Portsmouth City Council and offers free entry. The displays tell the story of the castle and the wider military history of the area, including the loss of the Mary Rose. The castle grounds provide one of the best viewpoints on the south coast.