Hurst Castle, Hampshire

Hurst castle was built by King Henry VIII and was one of the most advanced artillery fortresses in the whole of England, at this time. The Castle has had many uses, during the 17th Century it was used as a prison for holding eminent captives. Being built on the end of a long shingle bank stretching out from Milford-on-sea, if you tried to escape, then you would be easily spotted on the shingle bank. Keyhaven Marshes would be of little use and the sand and mud would impede your escape and the sea of the Solent runs fast and deep and unless you were a very strong swimmer, then the chances of escape via the sea was doubtful too. This Castle was strengthened during the 19th and 20th Centuries. The positioning of the Castle on this spit commands a fortified place to watch for French and Spanish ships trying to sail up the Solent during King henry VIII time. During the First and Second World Wars this would have been a good place to guard against invasion.

You can take a Foot Ferry in the summer months from Keyhaven to Hurst Castle and also from Hurst Castle to Yarmouth. Both are a great way to see what is around you whether in this tidal estuary or to see the Castle and the Needles from a different predictive. Equally, you can get the Hurst Castle by walking from Milford-on-sea along the shingle bank. A stout pair of walking boots is the most comfortable for this walk. However, this is not a short walk and walking on stones can be energy sapping, especially if you are walking anywhere other than on the crown of the bank.

This blip was taken from the cross Solent Ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. There was a reasonable sea breeze and the sea was relatively calm.