Calshot Castle

About

Calshot Castle is one of Henry VIII's artillery forts, built on Calshot Spit to defend the sea passage to Southampton, and later used as a Navy and RAF base. Today you can explore the cylindrical central keep, surrounded by a deep moat, then climb to the top for wide views across the Solent. Inside, a display tells the story of Calshot during the Second World War and its link with the Sunderland flying boat. The castle is run by Hampshire County Council for English Heritage, and the neighbouring Calshot Activities Centre, in the Sunderland Hangar, has a cafe bar with a seaward view. Reviewers praise the sea views and the cafe next door. Only assistance dogs are allowed. Tip: the castle opens only on selected dates in the warmer months, and more than one visitor has found it shut, so check before travelling.

CastleParkingShopToiletsBaby changingPicnic areaGreat views

Check today’s timesFrom English Heritage's calendar

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Opening times will be updated shortly

From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027. Prices are without the optional donation.

PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£5.90

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult£5.90

Child (5-16)£4.00

Concession£5.30

Family (2 adults and 2 children)£15.00

Pricing details

Catalogue standard gate price without Gift Aid; the advance price is the same. Child tickets are for ages 5 to 16. Tickets and dates are handled by Hampshire County Council.

Catalogue standard gate price without Gift Aid; the advance price is the same. Child tickets are for ages 5 to 16. Tickets and dates are handled by Hampshire County Council. Family ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children.

ParkingParking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

Ample parking close by, not managed by EH; local parking charges apply to all castle visitors, including members. Tariff not confirmed. Disabled parking about 10m from the entrance.

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EH lists the castle as open on selected dates from 28 May to 2 November. The dates are published by Hampshire County Council, whose page could not be read on 24 September 2026, so check before travelling.

Standard admission is free for English Heritage members. The castle is managed by Hampshire County Council.

Accessibility: steep, narrow stairs lead to the top of the two-storey tower, and the roof has uneven surfaces marked in white. The castle is surrounded by a deep moat, so keep children close. Pushchairs are allowed but access is limited by stairs.

Toilets and baby changing are in the castle and in the neighbouring activities centre, whose cafe bar is not run by EH.

Parking: Ample parking close by, not managed by EH; local parking charges apply to all castle visitors, including members. Tariff not confirmed. Disabled parking about 10m from the entrance.

Image: Calshot Castle keep and moat on Calshot Spit. Geni, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calshot_castle_sept_2013.JPG

Dogs at the location: Not allowed. Pet dogs are not allowed; assistance dogs only.

Dog walks in the grounds: Not allowed. Pet dogs are not allowed at the castle; assistance dogs only.

Leads: Not applicable to pet dogs; assistance dogs only.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.