About
Hurst Castle stands at the seaward tip of a long shingle spit, where Henry VIII built one of the most advanced artillery fortresses in England between 1541 and 1544 to command the Needles Passage, only about 1,280 metres wide. Charles I was held prisoner here in 1648, probably on the first floor of the Tudor keep, and the keep's roof looks across the passage to the Isle of Wight. Huge 19th-century wings made it a key fortress again, and it stayed in military use through both world wars until 1956. Reviewers single out how much there is to explore, from gun chambers to displays of lighthouse equipment, and the views from the walls. The castle is run by Hurst Marine for English Heritage. There is no road access, so park at Keyhaven and take the seasonal ferry, which everyone pays for, including members, or walk about two miles along the spit from Milford on Sea in sturdy footwear.
ClosedPick a day for times and prices
- Until 23 Oct
- Daily 10:00–17:30
- 24 Oct–1 Nov
- Daily 10:00–16:00
- From 2 Nov
- Closed
Today, Friday 2 October
- Hurst Castle10:00 – 17:30
Prices, non-members
- Adult£9.50 on the day
- Child£6.50 on the day
- Concession£7.50 on the day
- Family£30.00 on the day
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£9.50
Free entry with English Heritage membership
Entry
Non-member prices
Adult£9.50
Child (5-17)£6.50
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children)£30.00
Pricing details
Standard gate price without voluntary donation; advance standard tickets are the same. The catalogue's second gate band (labelled peak) is cheaper (adult 8.50, child 5.50, concession 7.50, family 25.00) and lists the only concession price. Ferry fares are extra for everyone, including members.
ParkingNo car park
Arrive on foot, by bike or by public transport.
Parking details
No parking at the site, which has no road access. Pay-and-display car parks at Keyhaven (SO41 0TP), for the ferry, and at Milford on Sea seafront (SO41 0PY), for the walk.
Driving arrival: Keyhaven car park beside the Hurst Castle Ferry quay.
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Walking routes1 route
Hurst Spit walk from Milford on Sea(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkDog access not confirmed3.2 km distance
